Durant’s off-court earning skyrocketed last summer when he re-signed with Nike in a 10-year deal that could be worth up to $300 million, including royalties. Durant’s timing was perfect. Under Armour UA -0.26% wanted an entry into the basketball market, where it has less than a 0.5% share and made a run at the four-time scoring champ before Nike trumped UA’s own blockbuster bid. It is the richest player endorsement deal in the history of sports. Nike with $30 billion-in-revenue and 96% of the U.S. basketball shoe market, including its Jordan Brand, can afford it.

Thanks to the massive shoe deals, the NBA has a quartet of players that will bank at least $20 million from endorsements this year. Compare that to the NFL where Peyton Manning ($12 million) and Drew Brees ($11 million) are the only players who earn $8 million a year off the field. David Ortiz is the top-earner in baseball off the field with the retirement of Derek Jeter and he made $5 million last year, fueled by his MVP performance in the 2013 World Series. Sidney Crosby is the biggest endorser in hockey with an estimated $4.5 million this season. James’ endorsement haul is more than the top 10 earners in the NHL and MLB combined.