Russell Westbrook is an American professional NBA player whose remarkable career has helped him accumulate an estimated net worth of $375 million.
He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins before being selected as the fourth overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2008 NBA Draft.
Over the years, he has played for the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers.
Westbrook has achieved significant milestones, including being a nine-time NBA All-Star and winning the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 2017.
Westbrook’s NBA Salary and Endorsement Deals Has Significantly Added to His Wealth
Over his 15-season NBA career, Russell Westbrook has earned over $330 million solely through salary and nearly $200 million from endorsements and business ventures.
In 2017, he signed a five-year, $207 million extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was the NBA’s largest-ever contract in terms of total value at that time.
During the years, his peak salary with the Los Angeles Lakers was over $47 million annually.
According to Forbes, he is regarded as the 14th-highest-paid athlete in the world. In his interview with Forbes, Westbrook mentioned,
“I want to be a billionaire. Sooner than later.”
He has secured endorsement deals with major brands such as PepsiCo, Hennessy, and Samsung Electronics.
In 2017, he extended his deal with Nike’s Jordan brand for another ten years, becoming the highest-paid athlete endorsed by the brand.
The nine-time All-Star also received his first Jordan signature shoe in 2018.
Off the court, Westbrook also invests in business ventures like auto parts manufacturing and digital advertising.
Additionally, his love for fashion inspired him to launch the unisex streetwear brand Honor The Gift.
His brand is now available in over 300 retail locations worldwide, and he opened its flagship store in Los Angeles last fall.
While revenue was a modest $5.7 million last year, it represented a 75% increase from 2021.
Westbrook has also invested in various industries, including food and beverages like Magic Spoon, Pizzana, Flow, Poppi, and so on.
His early interest in cars led him to acquire minority stakes in five Southern California car dealerships. He sold it in late 2022 for at least $15 million.
In recent years, Westbrook has focused on building Russell Westbrook Enterprises (RWE), a venture launched three years ago.
His most successful investment to date has been a $9 million stake in Tulco.
This investment has grown over tenfold in value, earning Westbrook a $14.4 million payout when Tulco sold its stake during its IPO.
Beyond His NBA Achievements, Westbrook is Also Known for His Philanthropic Efforts
Russell Westbrook established the Why Not? Foundation in 2012, aiming to inspire and empower children and communities.
His foundation is involved in various initiatives, including annual Thanksgiving food distributions.
His foundation distributed 1,000 meals to families in need as part of their 12th annual Thanksgiving food distribution event.
Westbrook’s Foundation also provides resources and scholarships to students.
The school focuses on providing quality education and opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
In 2021, he partnered with the LA Promise Fund to launch the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy in Los Angeles.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Westbrook was born on November 12, 1988, in Long Beach, California.
- He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles.
- Westbrook is married to Nina Earl and has three children.
