Stephen Curry harshly criticized the structure of Acordo Coletivo of Trabalho (CBA) of the NBA, denouncing that active players are prevented from participating in franchise assets. The Golden State Warriors star stated that the class is “underpaid” precisely because they do not have access to the teams’ equity, considering this exclusion the biggest flaw in the league’s current economic model. The statement was made in an interview with the 360 program With Speedy and reinforces a frustration that Curry had been expressing since July 2025.
The CBA’s legal barrier to shareholding
The CBA establishes rules on the salary cap, health benefits and working conditions, but has kept a clause untouched for decades that prohibits corporate participation for active players. The NBA justifies this ban as a measure to avoid conflicts of interest between athletes and owners. Curry, however, argues that this legal barrier is exactly what characterizes the devaluation of professional players.
In his words, the number 30 explained his frustration with the limitations imposed: “Because of the way the CBA is currently structured, we cannot participate in the equity. And this is very important, because this is a partnership with the league. And we are on the short-term side of this revenue”. The shipowner made it clear that his criticism is not directed at the monthly salary, but at the inability to participate in the institutions’ long-term asset growth.
Disparidades in the distribution of generated wealth
- Jogadores cannot hold shares while active in the NBA
- Franchises increase their billion-dollar value annually without the participation of athletes
- Players are left out of teams’ long-term asset growth
- The CBA limits player participation to short-term revenue only
- The disparity affects all generations, including future generations of professional athletes
Curry reinforced that this exclusion is essential to understand why he considers the remuneration to be insufficient, even though he receives million-dollar amounts. “The idea that we can’t participate while we’re playing is part of the reason why I would say yes, we are underpaid, because you want to participate in this growth,” said the star, making it clear that the fight for changes in economic rules is a priority for the next generations.
Contexto early elimination of Warriors
Curry’s statement comes shortly after Golden State Warriors’s elimination in the play-in tournament against Phoenix Suns. Esse anticipated result may have intensified the star’s reflection on the economic model that governs the league and the distribution of wealth generated by the collective product of professional athletes. The combative stance is not new, as the player had already expressed similar discontent months before.
Pressão growing due to renegotiation of collective agreement
The statement from shirt 30 adds pressure to the NBPA (athletes’ union) and the league for future renegotiations of the CBA. The debate about equity for active players is gaining strength among the most influential veterans, especially those who accumulate market power and media influence. Curry, as one of the biggest names in the NBA, has a significant platform to amplify this agenda with owners and the general public.
The current structure keeps players and owners on opposite sides of the economic value chain. Enquanto athletes capture salary income, owners accumulate equity through franchise appreciation, broadcast rights sales and diversified entertainment revenues. Curry’s argument is that this division is unfair because the players are directly responsible for attracting the revenue that generates all this appreciation of the teams’ assets.
