Who was the first NBA player to make $100 million?

The First NBA Player to Hit $100 Million

In 1996, a seismic shift in NBA economics took place when Howard—then playing for the Washington Bullets—re-signed with the team in a groundbreaking move. On August 5 of that year, he became the first player in league history to sign a contract exceeding $100 million. The deal was a seven-year, $105 million agreement, a number that stunned the sports world at the time.

While $105 million was astronomical in the mid-90s, adjusting for inflation puts its true value into perspective: roughly $216 million in 2025 dollars. This contract wasn’t just a personal milestone—it signaled a new era of player empowerment and rising franchise valuations, fueled by expanding TV deals and global popularity.

It’s worth noting that the player in question was Juwan Howard, a key piece of the Bullets' future after being selected fifth overall in the 1994 draft. Coming off a strong second season and fresh off a wave of hype from his college days at Michigan, Howard’s loyalty to the team was rewarded with a then-unprecedented commitment.

Though the contract didn’t lead to championships, its cultural and financial impact was undeniable. Other stars soon followed, resetting the market and paving the way for today’s max deals, which regularly exceed $200 million. But Howard’s 1996 contract remains a landmark—a quiet turning point where the NBA’s salary scale tipped into a new dimension.

It wasn’t just about the money. It was a statement: players had value, and the business of basketball was changing fast.