• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, September 17, 2025

NBA Trend of Record Coaching Deals Continues With Heat’s Spoelstra

  • Erik Spoelstra is getting a $120 million contract extension with the Miami Heat.
  • Gregg Popovich still makes more money on an annual basis with San Antonio.
NBA coaches
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

For the third time in less than eight months, an NBA head coach has received the most lucrative contract in league history. 

The Miami Heat have extended Erik Spoelstra with a new eight-year deal worth more than $120 million according to ESPN. That would represent the most amount of total money committed not just in the NBA, but in all of North American professional sports coaching history.

Last summer, the Detroit Pistons made Monty Williams the highest-paid coach in the NBA with a six-year, $78.5 million contract ($13 million annually). However, just over a month later, the San Antonio Spurs extended Gregg Popovich with a five-year, $80 million deal, giving the five-time NBA champion coach a higher annual ($16 million) and total value than Williams.

Spoelstra’s new reported deal carries an annual value of $15 million, meaning Popovich remains the highest-paid head coach in the NBA on a yearly basis. 

Big Bucks 

Here’s a breakdown of the new top three, by total value:

  1. Spoelstra ($120M) … 🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀 
  2. Popovich ($80M) ….. 🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
  3. Williams ($78.5M) … 🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

Beyond the top trio, other NBA coaches with big deals include Steve Kerr, who is entering the final year of a contract with the Golden State Warriors believed to be worth $9.5 million annually, and Rick Carlisle, who was making $7.25 million a year before receiving an undisclosed extension in October that could be even more valuable.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

$3.8 Billion Commanders Stadium Deal Approved Despite Late Drama

A decisive final vote on the stadium followed some last-minute snags.

Silver: My Comments About Basketball Highlights Were ‘Misconstrued’

The NBA commissioner spoke at the Front Office Sports Tuned in summit.

Netflix Boxing Ratings Spark New Fight Over Streaming Metrics

The streamer used a non-accredited process to measure the boxing match.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Dawn Staley

Dawn Staley Says She Would Have Left South Carolina for Knicks

Staley says she would have made the NBA leap “for women.”
Andy Reid
August 21, 2025

Andy Reid Office Shooting Went Unreported for a Year

Reid was inside at the time but wasn’t injured.
Inter Miami bench
August 21, 2025

Inter Miami Post-Red Card Phone Coaching May Have Been Legal

Javier Mascherano appeared to continue coaching through a call from the stands.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
August 1, 2025

Belichick Bump Creating Record UNC Ticket Prices

The cost of seeing the NFL legend’s college coaching debut is soaring.
July 28, 2025

Deion Sanders Had Bladder Removed Due to Cancer, Is Ready for Season

Sanders had his bladder removed in May.
July 28, 2025

Bulls Extend Billy Donovan After Rejecting Knicks Advances

The Bulls finished 39–43 for the second straight season.
Mike Brown
July 2, 2025

Knicks Land on Mike Brown After Monthlong Coach Search: Reports

New York still owes Tom Thibodeau $30 million.