The 88-year-old NBA legend Bill Russell passed away on Sunday, July 30. According to his official Twitter account, he died peacefully with his wife by his side.
Russell dominated the NBA in the 1950s and 1960s, but unlike top players now, he hasn’t acquired generational riches over the course of his career. The most decorated player in league history, he spent all 13 of his seasons with the Boston Celtics and amassed 11 rings.
At the time of his passing, Bill Russell reportedly had a $10 million net worth. Russell played in an era when earnings weren’t too high, so it’s only a small portion of what professional athletes make today. In 1956, his signing bonus was $24,000. In contrast, Paolo Banchero, the Orlando Magic’s first-round choice in 2022, inked a four-year, $50.1 million contract, which is more than five times Russell’s net worth.
Russell was, nonetheless, among the NBA’s highest-paid players by 1950s standards. At the end of his career, he reportedly earned $100,001 annually, which is nearly equivalent to $600,000 today after accounting for inflation. As a player-coach, he reportedly received an additional $25,000. For his final two championships with the Boston Celtics, he served as player-coach (1968, 1969).
According to The Washington Post, Russell had no local endorsement agreements. But he also appeared alongside Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in an AT&T Wireless TV Spot, as well as Russell Westbrook in a Foot Locker commercial. Stephen Curry appeared in an Under Armour commercial that Russell also narrated.
Russell also had a number of properties in the USA. After living there for more than 50 years, he finally sold it in 2021 for $2.6 million. He explained his choice to sell the home to the Puget Sound Business Journal as follows:
“In 1974, I received a job offer as the Sonics’ head coach. I chose Mercer Island as my place of employment when I was a single parent because it has the greatest schools in the Pacific Northwest. The house wasn’t made with me in mind. Actually, I was glancing at the house across the street, but it wasn’t quiet enough.”
If Russell’s estate or widow decides to sell any of his 11 championship rings at auction, they will profit greatly. Each of the rings is worth a certain amount of money.
We at Sportskeeda offer our sympathies to Bill Russell’s family and friends. May they find solace during this trying time. Peace be upon him.