In a striking illustration of the financial disparity between professional sports leagues, Steph Curry’s recent one-year extension with the Golden State Warriors is making headlines not just for its size, but for the startling comparison it draws. The $62.6 million deal, which secures Curry’s place with the Warriors through the 2027 season, is reportedly equivalent to the entire payroll of the Oakland A’s roster for 2024.

Curry’s extension is a testament to his value not only as a player but as a cultural icon in the NBA. With this deal, Curry continues to be one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, joining the ranks of other sports superstars who command salaries that outstrip entire teams in other leagues. The $62.6 million contract reflects his unparalleled impact on the court, where he has revolutionized the game with his three-point shooting and led the Warriors to multiple championships.

In stark contrast, the Oakland A’s, a Major League Baseball team based just across the bay, are operating on a dramatically smaller budget. The A’s have long been known for their frugal approach to team building, a necessity given their relatively low revenue compared to other MLB teams. For the 2024 season, the entire A’s roster is expected to be paid roughly the same amount as Curry’s one-year extension—a fact that highlights the vast financial divide between baseball and basketball, as well as between different teams within those leagues.

This comparison underscores the unique economic landscape of American sports. While NBA players like Curry can command eye-watering contracts, MLB teams like the A’s often struggle to retain top talent due to budget constraints. The A’s have famously relied on a “Moneyball” approach, using advanced statistics to find undervalued players and remain competitive despite their financial limitations.

The juxtaposition of Curry’s salary with that of an entire baseball team also raises broader questions about the economics of sports. It highlights how the NBA has become a global entertainment juggernaut, with revenues driven by lucrative TV deals, international markets, and the star power of players like Curry. Meanwhile, MLB, despite its storied history and deep roots in American culture, faces challenges in maintaining the same level of financial dynamism.

As Curry enters the final years of his illustrious career, his extension is a reminder of his incredible marketability and the unique value he brings to the Warriors and the NBA at large. For the Oakland A’s and their fans, the comparison serves as a sobering reminder of the financial realities that define modern sports. While the A’s continue to compete with limited resources, the Warriors, backed by the wealth of their star player, remain one of the most financially powerful teams in professional sports.

In the end, the contrast between Curry’s contract and the A’s roster is a snapshot of the broader dynamics at play in professional sports today, where superstar athletes can command salaries that rival entire teams, and where the gap between the haves and have-nots continues to widen.