Adelaide 36ers were the highest spenders in the NBL in the 2022-23 season, with a total spend of $2.92 million, closely followed by the South East Melbourne Phoenix with $2.85 million.
The published numbers showcase some unique results from the season.
- The three NBL teams that spent the most missed the playoffs, while the three teams that spent the least made it into the top-four.
- Only four of the NBL’s 20 highest-paid players were on teams that made the top-four
- The Cairns Taipans, who finished third on the ladder and made it to the semi-finals, had the lowest spending at $1.65 million.
- The second-lowest spenders, New Zealand took the eventual champions, the Kings, to a decider in their best-of-five Championship Series.
These numbers are finalised roster spends calculated after payments like certain bonuses and agent fees are paid. These are the total amounts spent before exceptions are applied like the marquee and Special Restricted Player rules, for example.
The salary cap for the 2022-23 season was set at $1,703,239.36.
- Adelaide 36ers: $2.92 million.
- South East Melbourne Phoenix: $2.85 million.
- Perth Wildcats: $2.64 million.
- Sydney Kings: $2.40 million.
- Melbourne United: $2.39 million.
- Brisbane Bullets: $2.35 million.
- Illawarra Hawks: $2.26 million.
- Tasmania JackJumpers: $2.05 million.
- New Zealand Breakers: $1.80 million.
- Cairns Taipans: $1.65 million.
League average: $2.33 million.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
