In a digital era where streaming platforms are booming, even some of the world’s highest-paid athletes are =eyeing to enter the creator economy.
Two of the NBA’s biggest stars, Devin Booker and Giannis Antetokounmpo, have recently joked about switching careers. However, not to another team, but to online streaming, citing the massive income top creators are pulling in.
Phoenix Suns’ Booker, a known gaming enthusiast, made waves during a recent chat with FaZe Clan’s Adapt. While talking gaming and content, Booker didn’t shy away from voicing his envy of creators’ earnings.
“Hell nah, there’s more money in this s***, bro. I should be doing what y’all are doing,” Booker said with a laugh, hinting that the streaming world might be a serious side hustle worth exploring.
Devin Booker, whose reported salary is around $50 million a year, has already dabbled in the gaming world, most notably with his own Warzone skin and frequent gaming streams during the NBA’s off-seasons.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo also recently joined the conversation. During a casual TikTok Live, Giannis proposed the idea of becoming a streamer himself.
“Should I start streaming? IShowSpeed, Kai Cenat, help a brother out!” Giannis joked.
The Greek Freak, also earning around $50 million annually, seemed genuinely impressed by the skills and charisma of top streamers, pointing out their unmatched ability to connect with massive audiences. He even tried to convince his wife — not quite successfully — that streamers make money worth noticing.
“Do you know how much money they make? They make a lot of money, baby,” he told her, defending his newfound interest.
And Giannis isn’t wrong. The world of content creation has experienced significant growth in recent years. Top streamers like Kai Cenat, IShowSpeed, and Ninja regularly rake in millions annually through a mix of subscriptions, donations, sponsorships, and brand deals.
According to Forbes, some creators have even earned $20–$85 million in a single year, rivaling — and in some cases exceeding — the salaries of pro athletes.
It’s no surprise NBA stars are watching closely. Many players, including Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons, are already heavily involved in the gaming scene, streaming regularly and collaborating with professional eSports teams like OpTic and FaZe.
As the lines between sports, gaming, and entertainment continue to blur, it wouldn’t be surprising to see stars like Giannis and Booker hit “Go Live” more often, not just for fun, but possibly, one day, for business.
