What Is Blake Griffin's Net Worth and Salary?
Blake Griffin is an American professional basketball player who has a net worth of $110 million. Blake Griffin was selected first overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2009 NBA Draft. After missing his first season due to injury, he made an immediate impact in 2010-11, winning Rookie of the Year and becoming known for his spectacular dunks.
Griffin spent his prime years with the Clippers, forming the "Lob City" era alongside Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan. He was a five-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA player during this period, known for his athleticism, scoring, and playmaking ability. In 2018, Griffin was traded to the Detroit Pistons, where he continued to perform at a high level, earning another All-Star selection. However, injuries began to take their toll, affecting his mobility and production. Later in his career, Griffin had short stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics, transitioning into more of a role player. While his athleticism declined, he adapted his game to become a better shooter and passer. Throughout his career, Griffin averaged 19.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, showcasing his versatility as a power forward.
Contracts & Career Earnings
In his first decade in the NBA, Blake earned $160 million in NBA salary alone. His per-season salary topped $30 million for the first time in 2018 when he earned $32.1 million from the Pistons.
Blake is also one of the highest-paid athlete endorsers in the world, courting lucrative sponsorship deals with brands including Kia, Subway, AT&T, Vizio, and Nike.
In a typical year, he earns $6-10 million from his endorsements. When combined with his NBA salary, Blake can easily earn $35-40 million in a single year.
Before the 2012-12 season, Griffin signed a 5-year, $95-million contract extension with the Clippers. Between June 2017 and June 2018, Blake earned $36 million from salary and endorsements. In 2018, he signed a $171-million NBA contract extension. Between June 2018 and June 2019, he earned $39 million. Griffin's current salary is about $32 million per year.
Early Life
Blake Griffin was born on March 16, 1989, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His father, Tommy, played basketball at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. His mother, Gail, homeschooled him and his brother from first grade until Blake was ready to attend high school. Griffin learned how to play basketball from an early age, and he was taught by his father. That being said, he also enjoyed playing baseball and football as a young lad.
When Blake arrived at high school, he played on the school basketball team with his brother, Taylor (who also became a professional basketball player). His father was the team's coach. Griffin quickly showed his potential as a high school player, leading the team on long undefeated runs and eventually earning numerous honors.
College Basketball
Griffin's older brother attended the University of Oklahoma on a basketball scholarship, and he told head coach Jeff Capel about Blake. Capel was eager to recruit Griffin and successfully convinced him to join on a scholarship after he had finished his high school basketball career on a high. Blake quickly became one of the most decorated players the team had ever seen. A few injuries set him back at the beginning, but Griffin bounced back and made the All-Rookie team. All-American First Team honors soon followed, and Blake was setting records left, right, and center as a college basketball player. He eventually left the Sooners with countless honors to his name, including College Player of the Year.
NBA Career
In the 2009 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers selected Griffin as the first overall pick. Although a knee injury set him back during the first season, he eventually followed up with an incredible second season and made the All-Star game. In 2011, he won the Slam Dunk Contest, which led to many publications naming him "the greatest rookie of all time." The next year, he made the All-Star team once again and continued to do so for many years to come.
Before the 2013-14 season, the Clippers hired head coach Doc Rivers. After Donald Sterling was banned from the NBA for life, he was forced to sell the team for $2 billion to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. From 2015 to 2018, Griffin struggled with many injuries. He was also embroiled in controversy after striking a member of the Clippers' equipment staff in anger.
In 2018, Griffin was traded to the Detroit Pistons. Although he started strong, Blake missed the final eight games of the season due to injury. Later in 2018, he scored a career-high 50 points in a game against the 76ers. However, injuries continued to plague him, and in January 2020, it was announced that Griffin was expected to miss the rest of the season.
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Relationships
Although Blake Griffin was initially engaged to Brynn Cameron, they called off the wedding and separated. During their relationship, they had two children together. After their separation, rumors started to fly about how much Cameron was receiving in child support each month, with some estimates reaching as high as $250,000.
Legal Issues
In 2014, Blake was charged with misdemeanor battery after an incident involving a man who was allegedly filming the Clippers players with his cell phone. Reports stated that Griffin assaulted the man and took away his cell phone. However, the charges were dismissed in 2015 due to a lack of evidence.
Brand Endorsements
Blake Griffin signed a deal in 2011 with Panini America that allowed the company to sell memorabilia with his autographs. Blake was also on the cover of the video game "NBA 2K13." In addition, he has appeared in commercials for brands such as Kia, Subway, Vizio, and GameFly.
Acting/Production
Outside of basketball, Griffin has amassed a few acting credits. His first role came in 2016 when he appeared in an episode of "Broad City." He then followed up in 2017 with a role in the film "The Female Brain." Critics have generally praised his performances, and they make special note of his deadpan delivery style.
Blake co-owns a production company with NFL player Matt Kalil. They produced the "White Men Can't Jump" reboot.
Real Estate
In 2019, Griffin acquired a property in the Manhattan Beach neighborhood of Los Angeles for $4.15 million. The property features 3,598 square feet of living space, a marble steam shower, and small balconies connected to the master suite. Blake has been trying to sell a property in Pacific Palisades since 2018, and he eventually lowered the asking price from $12 million to $10.995. This Pacific Palisades home features a basketball court and a saltwater pool. In 2019, he also purchased a property in Studio City for $2.1 million.
In 2020, it was reported that Griffin had purchased a property in Brentwood, Los Angeles, for $19.1 million. Located in a gated community just off Sunset Boulevard, this estate sits on .65 acres of land. In case you weren't keeping count, this means that Blake owns a total of four properties in the greater Los Angeles area. His real estate portfolio is allegedly worth approximately $35 million.
