Stephon Marbury Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is the Net Worth, Salary, and Career Earnings of Stephon Marbury?

Stephon Marbury, an American professional athlete, boasts a net worth of $40 million. Born in 1977, he spent 13 seasons playing in the NBA and became a basketball legend in China. Drafted 4th overall in 1996, he represented teams like Minnesota, New Jersey, Phoenix, New York, and Boston, earning All-Star status twice while averaging 19.3 points and 7.6 assists per game.

Following several controversies and challenges in the NBA, he reinvented his career in China from 2010 to 2018, where he led the Beijing Ducks to three CBA championships. In China, he became a cultural icon, having a museum, statue, and postal stamp dedicated to him in Beijing, along with obtaining permanent residency from the Chinese government in 2016.

His $15 Starbury shoes broke barriers in the expensive sneaker market by providing affordable options through Steve & Barry’s stores. After his playing career, he took on the role of coach for the Beijing Royal Fighters from 2019 to 2020 and continues to have a significant impact on Chinese basketball. Additionally, his documentary “A Kid From Coney Island” (2019) depicted his extraordinary career journey from a Brooklyn talent to a basketball legend in China.

The “Starbury” Shoe Line

Stephon Marbury gained fame for launching a shoe line priced under $15. The “Starbury” shoes debuted in 2006 as part of a collaboration with the now-defunct retail chain Steve & Barry’s. These shoes were remarkable for their affordable price of only $14.98 per pair, and Marbury earned income solely from actual shoe sales rather than for endorsements. Marbury’s choice of a low price point stemmed from his personal experiences growing up, knowing firsthand the difficulty of affording shoes, and aimed to create options that wouldn’t burden children financially.

When Steve & Barry’s closed its final stores in 2009, the Starbury line vanished as well. However, in 2015, Marbury revealed that his Starbury shoe line would be making a resurgence.

In a surprising string of tweets, Marbury disclosed that his shoes are manufactured in the same overseas factories as those of the Jordan Brand for only five dollars per pair, highlighting the outrageous retail price difference. In another tweet, Marbury simply stated, “$250 VS $15.” According to Nike’s website, Jordan Brand shoes can range from $75 to $250, suggesting a price increase of potentially 1,567% when comparing Starbury to Jordan shoes.

When he first launched the Starbury line, Marbury claimed that if someone were to cut his shoe or any other basketball shoe in half, they would find the same basic materials inside. Several media outlets accepted this challenge, and while results varied, the general opinion was that the Starbury shoe was of sufficient quality for everyday wear, with some tests indicating it was nearly identical to shoes suited for basketball.

Salary & Career Earnings

Stephon earned over $150 million in salary during his NBA tenure before taxes and fees. While playing in China, his annual basketball salary was $2 million. He significantlymore from shoe sales and endorsements.

Bank Lawsuit

In 2011, it was reported that Wachovia/Wells Fargo had sued Marbury for $16 million. The situation escalated in 2012 when Wachovia filed another lawsuit against him for an additional $3 million, stemming from a real estate investment deal that Stephen was allegedly a part of. Reports indicated that he personally guaranteed seven-figure loans associated with the leasing and purchasing of industrial real estate.

Several of these properties were leased to U.S. government entities, including the Social Security Administration. In 2007, Wachovia provided $1.7 million to Starbury for a real estate acquisition, but U.S. Bank later foreclosed on the property, selling it for $1.3 million. At that time, the property was utilized by the U.S. Social Security Administration. By 2011, Wachovia revealed that Marbury still owed over $1 million in unpaid interest and fees.

Early Life

Born on February 20th, 1977, in Brooklyn, New York, Stephon Xavier Marbury grew up on Coney Island with six siblings, where his basketball skills quickly became apparent. It was during his youth that he acquired the nickname “Starbury,” excelling in his high school basketball squad.

Upon graduation, he was anticipated to rank among the best point guards in NBA history. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets recruited Marbury, who immediately assumed the role of starting point guard. He played for one season, achieving a spot in the NCAA Tournament semi-final and showcasing his capabilities.

Career

Starbury was originally picked by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1996 NBA Draft but was traded shortly after to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Following his inaugural season, he earned a spot on the All-Rookie Team. Dissatisfaction with Minnesota led Stepon to request a trade, which he successfully received in 1999 when he traded to the New Jersey Nets.

Finding his rhythm, Starbury achieved All-Star status, demonstrating his potential with several key performances. However, after just one year without a playoff appearance with the Nets, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns. During his tenure with the Suns, Stephon made the All-Star Team once more and reached the playoffs, but a subsequent trade sent him to the New York Knicks.

This transfer marked a significant phase, as Stephon established his roots with the Knicks. Unfortunately, his relationship with head coach Larry Brown deteriorated swiftly. Coupled with the Knicks’ subpar performances, Marbury became unpopular among the fans. Eventually, Brown was dismissed and Isiah Thomas took over, yielding a slight improvement for the Knicks.

However, Starbury would soon clash with his new coach as well, reportedly attempting to fight him and blackmail him upon learning of his benching. The entire team was impacted by the ensuing controversy, leading to a further decline in the Knicks’ performance. Due to Marbury’s $42 million contract, the team faced challenges in parting ways with him. Ultimately, it was Isiah Thomas who was let go, rather than Stephon Marbury.

When Mike D’Antoni was appointed as the new head coach of the Knicks, he immediately sought a new point guard. Consequently, after D’Antoni signed Chris Duhon, Marbury found himself relegated to the role of backup point guard.

Due to frustration, Starbury opted not to participate for the Knicks despite being offered a 35-minute playing opportunity. This clear display of unprofessionalism led the Knicks to impose a total ban on Stephon from attending any future games or practices.

In 2009, the Knicks bought out Marbury’s contract, allowing him to become a free agent. Subsequently, he joined the Boston Celtics, marking the conclusion of his NBA career. Even though a one-year contract extension was offered to Starbury at the season’s end, he declined.

In 2010, he signed with the Shanxi Zhongyu Brave Dragons in the Chinese Basketball Association. During his initial year, he was unable to lead the Brave Dragons to the playoffs, prompting a move to the Foshan Dralions after just one season. Following another failed playoff run, Marbury joined the Beijing Ducks. While with the Ducks, he celebrated three CBA Championship victories. He later played for the Beijing Fly Dragons for a season before officially retiring from basketball. In 2019, Marbury took on the role of head coach for the Beijing Royal Fighters.

Controversy

In 2006, Starbury let go of his personal chef, Thurayyah Mitchell. Subsequent reports indicated that he had been engaged in an extramarital affair with her and that her dismissal was tied to a sexual harassment lawsuit involving the entire Knicks organization at that time. During the lawsuit proceedings, Marbury acknowledged a prior encounter with a Knicks intern outside a strip club in 2005.

To silence Mitchell, it was claimed that Stephon offered her $1 million in a “hush deal”; however, it appears she ultimately received only $600,000. When the payments ceased, she took Starbury to court for sexual harassment, explaining that the NBA star had stated “making him happy” was included in her job responsibilities as a chef.