Sunday October 1, 2023

Nikola Jokic’s Back-to-Back MVPs Will Earn Record Extension

  • Jokic joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Moses Malone as the only centers with multiple MVPs.
  • This summer, he's poised to sign a record-breaking extension worth $254 million over five years.
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Front Office Sports Today

Donovan McNabb and the State of Football

From Taylor Swift to the Prime Effect, there's a lot going on in the world of football.
Listen Now
September 29, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

When the Denver Nuggets picked Nikola Jokic at No. 41 in 2014, ESPN aired a Taco Bell commercial instead of covering the Serbian’s selection.

Eight years later, things have changed. Jokic will reportedly win MVP for a second straight season and is poised to sign a five-year, $254 million extension with the Nuggets — which would be the largest contract in NBA history

Joker’s individual accolades haven’t yet translated into the postseason, but he’s revolutionized the game for big men

  • He joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Moses Malone as the only centers with multiple MVPs.
  • Jokic became the first player in NBA history with 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 500 assists in a season.
  • He’s just the 15th player to win MVP in consecutive seasons.
  • He’s the sixth international player to win the award — he and Giannis Antetokounmpo have won the last four.

The 27-year-old carried the Nuggets into the playoffs as the 6-seed, despite playing without co-stars — and big investments — Jamal Murray (5 YRs, $158.3M) and Michael Porter Jr. (5 YRs, $207M)

Denver’s injuries notwithstanding, critics still knock Jokic for only once advancing past the second round — but as the lowest-drafted MVP ever, he’s still arguably the best draft pick in NBA history.

He’ll need his supporting cast for a deeper playoff run next year, but Jokic has a chance to make even more history by joining Bill Russell (1961-63) and Larry Bird (1984-86) as the only players to win three consecutive MVPs.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Baltimore Looks To Return To The Oriole Way

Lease deal offers new hope, but market and economic challenges remain.
College football is taking over Saturday night.

How College Football’s Biggest Games Took Over Saturday Night

Network competition and West Coast storylines helped college football stage a coup.

Ryder Cup’s Future Hanging In The Balance Amid Saudi Disruption

An unexpected change could be coming to the Ryder Cup.

Colorado Has Become the Hollywood of College Football. This Weekend Proves It.

Folsom Field will welcome dozens of Hollywood stars on Saturday.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Donovan McNabb and the State of Football

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

Toy Story

‘Toy Story’ Success Could Lead to More Disney-Branded NFL Kid-Casts

A successful ‘Toy Story’ game could open the door for other franchises.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on field after the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 29, 2023

Taylor Swift Shaking Up Travis Kelce, Chiefs Prop Betting Market

Sportsbooks are capitalizing with Taylor Swift-themed prop bets.
Taylor Swift reacts while sitting next to Donna Kelce watching the Kansas City Chiefs vs Chicago Bears game during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 28, 2023

Taylor Swift Is Affecting The NFL, Chiefs Ticket Markets

Swift will visit her second NFL stadium in as many weeks.
BioSteel
September 28, 2023

BioSteel Bankruptcy Shows Perils of Costly Sports Partnerships

BioSteel spent heavily on partnerships deals before bankruptcy.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations
Mahomes’ restructured Chiefs deal will pay him $210.6 million through 2026, the most in NFL history over a four-year span.

Patrick Mahomes Restructures Chiefs Contract for Historic Payday

Mahomes' restructured deal breaks the NFL record for a four-year span.
Simona Halep
exclusive
September 18, 2023

Former World No. 1 Simona Halep Says ‘There Is No Proof’ Behind Doping Ban

Simona Halep continues to fight her doping ban.
Eli-Manning-New-York-Giants
September 15, 2023

Eli Manning: Keep MetLife Field Turf

Eli Manning feels that MetLife Stadium should keep its artificial turf field.
September 12, 2023

Rodgers’ Season-Ending Injury Carries Huge Business Impacts

Marquee quarterback lost for entire season just four plays into first game
Joe Burrow’s $275 million deal makes him the league’s highest-paid player, with an average annual salary of $55 million per year.
September 11, 2023

The 10 Highest-Paid NFL Quarterbacks

Burrow's $275M extension is second to Patrick Mahomes' Chiefs deal.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with the championship trophy after his match against Daniil Medvedev in the men's singles final on day fourteen of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
September 10, 2023

Novak Djokovic Extends Majors, Money Records With U.S. Open Win

Djokovic extends his all-time record men’s major victories (24).
Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates with the championship trophy after her match against Aryna Sabalenka in the women's singles final on day thirteen of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center.
September 9, 2023

Coco Gauff Arrives With U.S. Open Victory, Secures $3M Payday

Gauff earns $3 million for her first career Grand Slam victory.
Travis Kelce
September 7, 2023

Travis Kelce Talks Positional Values, Players Sports Betting Ahead of NFL Season

Kelce says tight ends should be paid off of production metrics.