Ben Simmons just got paid. Like, paid paid.
The Athletic reports the Australian basketballer has signed a fresh contract extension with the Philadelphia 76ers, who have secured his services through the 2025 season for a cool AUD $241 million.
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That figure means he’s not just one of the best paid Aussie athletes ever, it means he’ll become one of the most cashed-up ballers in the league. Consider this: the 22-year-old averaged just over 34 minutes per game in the 2018-2019 season. If he carries that average across all 82 games of each upcoming season, the Melbourne-born dude will pocket over AUD$14,000 every minute he’s on the hardwood.
It’s a statement of intent from Philly, who cruelly bowed out of last season’s NBA finals thanks to a last-gasp dagger from Kawhi Leonard and his eventual champions, the Toronto Raptors. Simmons, who has racked up a frankly monstrous number of triple-doubles during his short career and became Australia’s first-ever male NBA All Star, seems central to the 76ers’ hopes of charging further into the post-season.
Other players have taken notice. Los Angeles Laker and NBA legend LeBron James gave a shout-out to Simmons’ pay-day on Instagram, as did King James’ former Cleveland teammate Tristan Thompson.
Not bad work if you can get it, hey?
