{"id":5661,"date":"2023-03-28T12:39:52","date_gmt":"2023-03-28T12:39:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buzznigeria.com\/us\/?p=5661"},"modified":"2024-01-04T17:35:26","modified_gmt":"2024-01-04T17:35:26","slug":"bill-russell-net-worth-nba-salary-and-income-sources","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buzznigeria.com\/us\/bill-russell-net-worth-nba-salary-and-income-sources\/","title":{"rendered":"Bill Russell Net Worth, NBA Salary, and Income Sources"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bill Russell’s net worth is estimated to be $10 million as of 2024. He amassed significant wealth from his basketball career as a player and a coach and<\/strong>\u00a0was the first NBA star to earn a salary of $100,000 in 1965. <\/strong>The Boston Celtics legend also earned money from his TV appearances, brand partnerships, and books.<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n

Looking back at how he started playing basketball in high school, it is not surprising to see he rose to become a basketball icon in the National Basketball Association. Read on as we explore Bill Russell’s net worth, earnings, and sources of income.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Bill Russell’s Net Worth as of 2024?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Before his demise, Bill Russell was estimated to be worth $10 million. There are no explicit details on who inherited his estate. However, he was survived by his three children, Karen, William Jr., and Jacob. Survivors also include his fourth wife named, Jeannine. They are the likely inheritors of his estate.<\/p>\n

Bill Russell made the bulk of his net worth from his basketball career, both as a player and coach. Bill Russell\u2019s net worth is only a fraction of what basketball players earn today. Back in the 50s and 60s, when Bill plied his trade, professional basketball players weren\u2019t earning much. However, it\u2019s presumed that Bill Russell earned approximately $15 million over 13 seasons in the NBA from the mid-50s through the late 60s.<\/p>\n

Bill Russell’s Rookie Contract was Worth $24,000<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Bill Russell ranks among the highest-paid NBA players of his time. The popular basketball player experienced a notable shift in wages between 1959 and 1969.\u00a0 His rookie deal with the Celtic was worth about $24,000, which sums up to $239,207 in 2021.<\/p>\n

Unlike his teammates, that had to work part-time to maintain their standard of living, Bill didn\u2019t have to, as he had enough income to meet his needs. When Wilt Chamberlain emerged as the first NBA star to earn $100,000 in salary in 1965, Bill requested an annual salary of $100,001. This roughly estimates $600,000 when adjusted for inflation<\/p>\n

The professional basketball player first played for the United State basketball team at the Summer Olympics of 1956 in Melbourne. This was before he got the NBA draft. Bill Russell played as a center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association for 13 years (1956 – 1969). The award winner has several achievements under his belt. He led his team to win eight championships straight.<\/p>\n

\"Bill<\/a><\/p>\n

He Earned an Annual Salary of $25,000 in His First Coaching Job<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Following Red Auberbach’s retirement as a Celtic coach, Bill Russell became the head coach in 1966. What\u2019s more, he became the first<\/a> black head coach in the history of the NBA. As a coach, he was paid an annual salary of $25,000 in addition to his salary as a player.<\/p>\n

While Bill is recognized as the first NBA coach to earn that amount, it\u2019s unclear if his annual salary of $100,001 was included in his total earnings. The trailblazer bagged a shoe deal with Bristol Manufacturing Corporation in 1966. Bill Russell was both a player and coach for two rings at Celtic (1968 and 1969).<\/p>\n

However, his stint as a coach wasn\u2019t quite successful, as Celtics lost their winning streak to the Philadephia 76ers. The Celtics had a come-back victory when they had a face-off with the 76ers during the Eastern Division Finals. Furthermore, they regained their championship streak as the Celtics beat the Lakers in the NBA finals. This was Bill\u2019s 10th championship win.<\/p>\n

The former basketball player had a breaking point in his coaching career upon hearing about the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr and Robert F. Kennedy. The Vietnam war and his troubled marriage with his wife, Rosie, made him lose interest in basketball.<\/p>\n

This made him gain excess weight, miss compulsory NBA coach meetings, and lack enthusiasm for basketball games. But thanks to his doggedness, Bill Russell dealt with his shortcomings in the long run and led his team to the NBA Finals. They defeated the Los Angeles Lakers there, and Bill earned his 11th championship. Soon enough, he ended his coaching career with the Celtics while planning to delve into the media.<\/p>\n

Based on reports, Bill Russell\u2019s highest salary seems to be $100,001. There\u2019s no information about a salary increase in the course of his career.<\/p>\n

Bill Russell Sold His Retirement Story for $10,000 at the End of His Coaching Career<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Bill Russell had a brief coaching stint at <\/span>the Seattle Supersonics (1973\u20131977) and Sacramento Kings (1987\u20131988). Though the celebrity coach led the Supersonics into the playoffs for the first time in the history of the franchise, his defensive and team-oriented approach didn\u2019t sit well with the team. <\/span><\/p>\n

Hence, he left the team in 1977 with a 162\u2013166 record.\u00a0<\/span>His coaching stint with Sacramento Kings was shortlived, leaving the team with a 341\u2013290 record. During his coaching tenure, he also served as the general manager for both teams. The renowned coach sold his retirement story to Sports Illustrated for $10,000.<\/span><\/p>\n

Summary of Bill Russell\u2019s Salary from Basketball<\/strong><\/h3>\n