Steve Nash, a Canadian basketball coach and former professional player, has an estimated net worth of $95 million. He most recently worked as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets from 2020 to 2022. In addition, he serves as a senior adviser to the Canadian national basketball team. Throughout his 18-year NBA career, Nash earned numerous accolades, including two MVP awards and eight All-Star appearances. His contributions to the game and his philanthropic endeavors have made him a celebrated figure.
Nash’s legacy as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history is well-established, and he was even named one of the world’s most influential people at one point. Off the court, he is deeply involved in charity work. In 2001, he founded the Steve Nash Foundation, which has allowed him to pursue numerous philanthropic projects.
Early Life
Steve Nash was born on February 7, 1974, in Johannesburg, South Africa. His family moved to Regina, Saskatchewan, when he was just 18 months old, eventually settling in Victoria, British Columbia. As a child, Nash developed a passion for soccer and ice hockey, influenced by his father, who was a professional soccer player. For most of his early years, soccer was his main focus. However, by age 12 or 13, Nash switched his attention to basketball, showing an early talent that would later make him a household name.
While attending high school, Nash led his team to a provincial championship, earning recognition as British Columbia’s Player of the Year. Despite his success, he was not initially recruited by any universities. Eventually, Nash earned a basketball scholarship to Santa Clara University, where he helped lead the team to a WCC Tournament title, which brought him national attention.
Career
Nash began his professional basketball journey in 1996 with the Phoenix Suns but didn’t see much action in his rookie year. In 1998, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, where he began to develop into one of the league’s most skilled point guards. His chemistry with teammate Dirk Nowitzki was remarkable, and he soon earned an All-Star selection. After a few solid years with the Mavericks, Nash was not re-signed, leading him to the Phoenix Suns on a lucrative six-year contract worth $63 million in 2004.
With the Suns, Nash was pivotal in transforming the team into a contender. His fast-paced, high-scoring style of play defined the Suns during his tenure, but injuries began to plague him in the later years. Knee and back issues affected his performance, yet Nash remained one of the league’s top point guards. In 2012, Nash was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, his time with the Lakers was marked by injury woes, including a leg fracture and hip injury, which sidelined him for extended periods. After several more injuries, he retired from professional basketball in 2015 due to ongoing back problems.
Career Earnings
Nash’s earnings grew significantly over the course of his NBA career. By the time he retired in 2015, he was earning nearly $10 million annually. Here’s a breakdown of his yearly salary during his NBA career:
- 1996-97 (Phoenix Suns): $916,000
- 1997-98 (Phoenix Suns): $1,053,360
- 1998-99 (Dallas Mavericks): $1,190,760
- 1999-00 (Dallas Mavericks): $5,500,000
- 2000-01 (Dallas Mavericks): $5,500,000
- 2001-02 (Dallas Mavericks): $5,750,000
- 2002-03 (Dallas Mavericks): $5,750,000
- 2003-04 (Dallas Mavericks): $5,750,000
- 2004-05 (Phoenix Suns): $8,750,000
- 2005-06 (Phoenix Suns): $9,625,000
- 2006-07 (Phoenix Suns): $10,500,000
- 2007-08 (Phoenix Suns): $11,375,000
- 2008-09 (Phoenix Suns): $12,250,000
- 2009-10 (Phoenix Suns): $13,125,000
- 2010-11 (Phoenix Suns): $10,310,000
- 2011-12 (Phoenix Suns): $11,689,000
- 2012-13 (LA Lakers): $8,700,000
- 2013-14 (LA Lakers): $9,300,500
- 2014-15 (LA Lakers): $9,701,000
In total, Nash earned $146 million during his career in the NBA.
Relationships
In 2001, Steve Nash began dating Alejandra Amarilla. The two married in 2005 and had two children together. However, in 2010, Nash publicly announced that the couple had been living apart for several months and were in the process of getting a divorce.
In 2016, Nash became engaged to professional volleyball player Lilla Frederick. They married later that year, and in 2017, they welcomed their first child together.
Brand Endorsements
Steve Nash has been cautious about the brands he endorses, preferring to align with companies that have strong ethical and sustainable practices. One of his most significant endorsements has been with Nike, despite the company’s controversial labor practices in countries such as China. Nash’s partnership with Nike has lasted for many years and remains one of his most prominent commercial associations.
While basketball made Nash famous, he has long been passionate about soccer. In fact, he has said that he could have played soccer professionally if he had chosen that path instead. Even after retiring from basketball, Nash remains highly active in the sport. He has trained with Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls and European giant Inter Milan. Additionally, he owns a stake in two professional soccer teams: the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Spanish club RCD Mallorca.
Other Ventures
In addition to his sports career, Nash has ventured into various business and entertainment endeavors. He has written and produced numerous commercials for Nike, often working through his own film production company. This company has also been responsible for producing a documentary about Canadian athlete Terry Fox, titled “Into the Wind,” and a music video for the band Thirty Seconds to Mars.
Nash also co-founded the first Steve Nash Sports Club in Vancouver in 2007. This $5 million project has grown into a successful franchise with several locations throughout British Columbia.
Real Estate
Steve Nash has made several notable real estate investments over the years. In 2014, he purchased a property in Manhattan for $4.8 million. The home, spanning 4,175 square feet, was just two blocks from the beach. Rumors suggested that Nash intended to tear down the existing structure and build a custom home on the property.
In 2017, Nash sold a property in Paradise Valley, Phoenix, for $3.175 million. He had owned the property for several years, though he had not played for the Suns since 2012. Despite struggling to sell the property for several years, Nash finally found a buyer willing to pay the high homeowners association fees of $730 per month, typical of the area’s luxury gated communities.
Steve Nash’s $95 million net worth is a testament to his exceptional career both on and off the court. From his stellar performance as a player to his various business and philanthropic ventures, Nash has built an impressive legacy. Whether through his NBA earnings, endorsement deals, or real estate investments, his financial success mirrors his impact on the world of sports and beyond.
