Despite a $156 million contract, Knicks star Jalen Brunson calls his parents for financial advice

“Even to this day—I know it’s crazy—if I feel like I’m making a big purchase, I’m gonna call my parents,” Brunson not too long ago advised the WSJ. “I used to be like, ‘What do you concentrate on this?’

Despite incomes thousands and thousands and being a “grown” man, Brunson mentioned he is not above asking his parents for a second opinion. “I just want to make sure I’m doing the right thing,” he added.

He was one of many high 50 highest-paid athletes within the NBA, according to ESPNincomes a wage of round $34,944,001 for the 2025-2026 season alone. But even stars with flush financial institution accounts nonetheless want trusted financial sounding boards. His father, an NBA veteran with 9 seasons below his belt, and mom, a non-profit CFO and seasoned litigation advisor, have many years of financial knowledge to share. And their advice will come in useful as Brunson grows his financial empire past model partnerships and NBA contracts.

“I still give myself those checks, to make sure I’m doing everything right, because it’s important for me to have this for as obviously as long as I can, and for my future generations,” Brunson continued.

Brunson’s financial portfolio: $156 million Knicks contract, model offers, and restaurant fairness

The 29-year-old Knicks legend has been amassing a numerous portfolio of wealth, from media ventures to fairness investments. And one of many key pillars of his wealth is his NBA wage: Brunson’s performed for the Knicks since 2022, and in 2024, he signed a four-year $156 million contract extension.

But he may have waited one other summer time and signed on for 5 years as an alternative; that amounted to $100 million lower than his potential earnings. But Brunson’s financial sacrifice might have led the Knicks to the NBA championship title: he resigned to present the Knicks extra wiggle room to construct a stronger roster of gamers, and final month, they lastly introduced house their first NBA title since 1973.

“Everyone looks at it as leaving money on the table, and so, while it is to a certain degree, it was the most I could sign for at the time,” Brunson advised the WSJ. But due to his years within the NBA, he mentioned he has financial cushioning to take the blow. “Just having that in my back pocket—knowing I’m good, the family’s good—I can play free.”

And Brunson is not letting the $100 million he handed up on sluggish him down. Brunson additionally co-hosts his podcast The Roommates Show with fellow Knicks participant Josh Hart, and joined $1 billion fast-casual chain Just Salad as an fairness investor and long-term companion earlier this yr. In 2023, he additionally cofounded youth advocacy non-profit Second Round Foundation with his mom, Sandra Brunson.

The Knicks celebrity has additionally labored with many family manufacturers which have bolstered his off-court earnings, together with the likes of Nike, American ExpressAT&T, DoorDashBodyArmor, and Delta. But wanting forward, he is setting his sights on extra calculated, extended investments that may construct his nest egg for life.

“The endorsement deals are great. It’s kind of getting your foot in the door. I think at this point now going forward, I am looking for equity deals,” Brunson defined. “I am looking to further my business outside of basketball, prepare myself for life after basketball. I think those are more important, those are more long-term.”

“And yes, those may have risks, but I think I’m at that point now. I’ve saved a lot, I’ve done a lot. So, how can I try and improve myself off the court?”

Now, he is sharing his financial know-how by serving to fellow athletes in addition to younger, up-and-coming stars plan out their financial futures. Brunson is a member of JPMorgan Chase’s Athlete Council, which goals to assist all sports activities gamers—from seasoned professionals to highschool standouts signing NIL offers—higher handle the wealth that is available in their usually short-lived athletic careers.