Stephen Curry Says NBA Stars Are Underpaid: Why Players Can't Own a Stake in Their Teams

Stephen Curry Speaks Out on NBA Financial Structures

According to Главком: Golden State Warriors point guard and four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry has raised concerns about how the league compensates its top-tier talent. He argues that current rules prevent active players from holding equity in their franchises, which means they miss out on a fair share of the business's long-term value.

Right now, under the existing rules, we're not allowed to own a piece of the team-and that's a huge deal… because this is supposed to be a partnership with the owners, a partnership with the league. We earn a lot in the short term, sure. The numbers look crazy, but the league makes far more. The fact that we can't have equity while we're playing is part of why I'd say, 'Yeah, we're underpaid.' You want to be part of that.

- Stephen Curry

2027 World Cup Qualifying Action

Elsewhere in basketball, qualifying for the 2027 FIBA World Cup continues. Ukraine's national team suffered a 78:64 loss to Spain in the fourth round of group play. This followed a previous defeat in the third round, where Spain won 86:66. However, Ukraine bounced back in the second round with an 88:71 victory over Denmark, and opened the qualifying campaign with a 79:92 win against Georgia.

• Loss to Spain (Round 4): 78:64
• Loss to Spain (Round 3): 66:86
• Win over Denmark (Round 2): 88:71
• Win over Georgia (Round 1): 79:92

In the game against Georgia, Oleksandr Kovliar was the top scorer, putting up 31 points in 37 minutes. He received solid support from Oleksandr Lypovyi, who added 13 points, and Viacheslav Bobrov, who recorded a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Against Spain, Ukraine struggled to find their rhythm, though Kovliar again led the team with 11 points, while Voinalovych chipped in 12.

These two stories-Curry's critique of NBA compensation and Ukraine's World Cup qualifying results-highlight both the financial dynamics shaping professional basketball and the challenges facing national teams. Curry's remarks could spark broader conversations about reforming player compensation models, while Ukraine's mixed results underscore the work needed to compete on the international stage.

As the discussion around player compensation heats up, it's important to consider how these financial dynamics impact the league's structure. In light of this, you might be interested in the latest developments in the NBA playoffs, where the quarterfinal matchups have been finalized. The excitement builds as teams prepare to battle it out for a chance at the championship. For a detailed look at the upcoming matchups, check out the full bracket for the second round here.