Kyle Kuzma straight up dropped a bomb on X this week, going after professional athletes who whine about their massive paychecks not being “real millions” after taxes. It’s the kind of talk that makes you wanna shake your head, especially when regular folks are out here stretching every dollar.
The “Lifestyle Creep” Is Real
Kuzma’s not holding back. He tweeted, “it’s exhausting hearing athletes break down how their millions ‘aren’t really millions’ after taxes and fees.” He didn’t stop there, pointing out that “40M after taxes is still 40M.” For him, the real enemy isn’t the tax system, it’s something called “lifestyle creep.” Nobody forced you to live like royalty, stack up five luxury cars, or roll with a ten-person crew, he argued. A little modesty, Kuzma says, is totally allowed. And when someone in his replies highlighted how everyday people deal with taxes and expenses too, Kuzma nailed it even harder, saying athletes expect empathy from “regular folks that are using credit rewards points for groceries right now.” That’s a wild take from guys living the high life, for sure. He’s basically saying these guys need to get real about how long their money has to last once their playing days are over.
Anthony and Beckham Jr. Disagree
Not everyone sees it Kuzma’s way, though. New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. once suggested a five-year, $100 million contract might not even be enough to last a lifetime. And guess who backed him up? Former NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony. On his podcast, Anthony went deep into the math, explaining that a $100 million deal isn’t truly $100 million over five years. He claims 58% to 60%, or even 48%, of your check vanishes due to taxes. So, what looks like $10 million a year quickly turns into $5 million. Then, you’ve still got more taxes, living expenses like buying a house, supporting family, and those pesky agency fees eating into that remaining $5 million. Anthony’s argument is that there’s a ton happening within that seemingly huge sum.
The Bottom Line on the Bank
It’s a stark contrast in perspectives, especially when you look at the numbers. According to Spotrac, Kuzma himself has pulled in over $127 million in his career, and that includes his $19.4 million salary for the upcoming season. Anthony has made more than double that, with career earnings topping $262.5 million. Beckham Jr. brings in a respectable $103.1 million. With those kinds of figures, Kuzma’s point about living modestly instead of blowing through cash recklessly really hits home. Taxes and expenses suck for everyone, no doubt, but they’re a lot easier to stomach when you’ve got millions to spare. It’s a wake-up call for athletes to manage their money smart, because the crazy paychecks eventually stop rolling in.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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