The Denver Gazette sports business insider is a reader’s guide to understanding the influence of money, politics and power behind their favorite leagues, teams and players:
Sports business insider: The top 10 highest-paid Colorado professional athletes will combine to earn more than $260 million in 2024-25.
Short version: The Denver Gazette gathered public salary cap data (via spotrac.com) to determine the top 10 highest-paid professional athletes in Colorado.
1. Nikola Jokic, C, Nuggets: $51.4 million cap hit (2024-25)
2. Jamal Murray, PG, Nuggets: $36 million cap hit (2024-25)
3. Michael Porter Jr., PF, Nuggets: $35.8 million cap hit (2024-25)
4. Kris Bryant, 1B, Rockies: $28 million payroll salary (2024)
5. Aaron Gordon, F, Nuggets: $22.8 million cap hit (2024-25)
6. Garett Bolles, LT, Broncos: $20 million cap hit (2024)
7. Kyle Freeland, LHP, Rockies: $15 million payroll salary (2024)
8. Charlie Blackmon, DH, Rockies: $14.5 million payroll salary (2024)
9. D.J. Jones, DT, Broncos: $12.9 million cap hit (2024)
10. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Avalanche: $12.6 million cap hit (2024-25)
Folsom Field beer sales nearly double with CU football coach Deion Sanders | Sports Business Insider
Long version: The Nuggets have four players ranked among the five best-paid athletes in Colorado. Jokic — a three-time league MVP — is tied with Sixers center Joel Embiid as the second-highest paid NBA player this season. The league’s flexible salary cap is currently at $140 million per team.
The Rockies’ payroll ranked No. 17 among MLB teams at $147.7 million and it didn’t lead to success. Colorado lost 100-plus games in back-to-back seasons. Bryant, the top-paid baseball player, appeared in only 117 games over that span due to injuries. There is no MLB salary cap.
The Broncos overcame significant salary cap challenges (more on that later) with help from the strong play of quarterback Bo Nix on a rookie contract. Bolles is in the final year of his current deal with a front office decision looming on his future in Denver. Jones will also be an unrestricted free agent this summer. The NFL’s hard salary cap is currently at $255.5 million per team.
The Avalanche boast the reigning Hart Trophy winner. MacKinnon is the NHL’s second-highest paid player this season. And yet, he barely cracks this list. That is because the league’s hard salary cap is just $88 million per team. However, on Tuesday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters in Florida that it is expected to hit $92.4 million next season.
Key context: The highest-paid Colorado professional athlete does not live in the state.
The Broncos released ex-quarterback Russell Wilson in March and Denver incurred a $53-million cap hit this season ($85 million total over two years).
Translation: the Broncos are paying Wilson more than any professional athlete in Colorado this season to quarterback the playoff-bound Steelers (10-3). The good news is that both teams appear better off from the Broncos-Wilson split with Nix leading the Broncos (8-5) to a likely playoff berth, too.
How the Denver Broncos aim to lift Colorado small businesses | Sports Business Insider
Looking ahead: Expect a handful of young stars to join this list in the near future.
Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain signed a four-year, $96-million extension that begins in 2026. Outside linebacker Jonathan Cooper agreed to a four-year, $60-million deal that also starts next year. Offensive Quinn Meinerz also signed a four-year, $80-million contract.
Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen has yet to reach a contract extension. He’s earning $9.25 million on his current deal that expires after this season with Rantanen anticipated to increase that number on his next deal.
The Nuggets have long-term commitments from their core four players: Jokic, Murray, Porter and Gordon. The Rockies have Bryant under contract through the 2028 season.
link
More Stories
How to create a Facebook Business Page: New tips for 2025
UK firms boosted by new qualifications agreement with Switzerland
Instagram Business Account Pros, Cons, and FAQs