Let’s talk about the Big3. You know, that 3-on-3 league with retired NBA stars and guys you swore were on your fantasy team in 2004. It’s part basketball, part circus, and all money.
How much do these players actually make? Way more than you’d guess for a league that plays in summer rec centers and on cruise ships. We’re talking six figures for a season that lasts just ten weeks. Not bad for a midlife crisis, right?
The Salary: Not Your Grandfather’s Pension
The baseline pay for a Big3 player is around $100,000 per season. That’s your average Joe who can still hit a three-pointer. But the stars? They laugh at that number.
Top-tier names like Joe Johnson or Michael Beasley can pull in $500,000 to $1 million. That’s for about ten games. That’s $50,000 per game, minimum. Heck, that’s more than some NBA rookies make per game.
But wait—there’s a catch. This isn’t a salary in the traditional sense. The Big3 offers equity. Yes, players get ownership stakes in the league itself. If the Big3 ever gets bought out, they cash in big time.
The Craziest Perk: Win Bonuses
Winning a game in the Big3 isn’t just about bragging rights. Each win earns players a $10,000 bonus. Win the championship? Add another $100,000 per player on top of their salary.
So if you’re Ice Cube (yes, the rapper founded this thing), you watch grown men dive for loose balls like it’s Game 7 of the Finals. Why? Because a single loose ball is worth a vacation to the Bahamas.
One season, a player named Earl Clark made an extra $90,000 just from bonuses. That’s more than some accountants make in a year. For playing basketball in July. Unreal.
Who Gets Paid The Most?
Let’s break down the Big3’s highest earners. These aren’t max contracts, but they’re sweet for a side hustle.
BIG3 Basketball Salaries: How Much Money Do Players Make? | Heavy.com
Joe Johnson—nicknamed “Iso Joe”—is the league’s MVP and its highest-paid player. He reportedly made $1.5 million in 2026. That’s more than 20% of NBA players made last season. And he’s 42 years old.
Other legends like Jason Williams (White Chocolate) and Kenyon Martin earned around $300,000-$500,000. They show up, throw a few no-look passes, and bank a mortgage payment.
But here’s the kicker: bench players make $50,000. That’s for sitting on the sideline and cheering. Not bad for a summer job when you’re 38.
The Quirky Catch: Equity is Weird
Forget salaries. The Big3’s secret weapon is ownership equity. Players get shares of the league itself. If the Big3 ever sells to a network or a media giant, those shares turn into real estate money.
How much are those shares worth? Nobody knows. It’s like owning a piece of a pizza place that might become the next Domino’s. Or might not. Either way, it’s a free lottery ticket.
Ice Cube has said that players could see “eight-figure payouts” if the league grows. That means $10 million or more for guys who already have NBA pensions. Talk about a retirement plan.
BIG3 Basketball Salaries: How Much Money Do Players Make?
What’s The Catch? (There’s Always One)
Okay, so it’s not all champagne and six-figure checks. The Big3 has no health insurance. None. If you blow out a knee, you’re on your own. Yikes.
Also, the league only plays in the summer. So players can’t just live off Big3 money. Most have side gigs—training, podcasting, or selling hot sauce. But for ten weeks of work? It’s still a steal.
And the schedule? You’re flying to random cities like Tulsa and Salt Lake City. No private jets here. Just Southwest Airlines and a lot of energy drinks. But hey, $100,000 is $100,000.
Why This Makes You Curious
So why does this matter? Because the Big3 proves that basketball isn’t dead after 35. It’s a second-chance league for guys who still have game but got cut from the NBA. And the money is real enough to make you jealous.
Imagine telling your buddies, “Yeah, I’m playing ball this summer. I’ll clear $200,000.” That’s the Big3 reality for a dozen lucky guys. Not bad for a league founded by a rapper in 2017.
Next time you watch a Big3 game on TV, count the cash. Each jumper is a down payment. Each steal is a bonus. And each no-look pass? That’s a pure joy you can’t put a price on. Well, actually, we just did.
