Scottie Pippen, the legendary retired basketball player, has a net worth of $20 million. Known for his exceptional career with the NBA, Pippen spent 17 seasons playing professionally, earning over $109 million in salary. In addition to his earnings on the court, he also made tens of millions from endorsement deals.
The Chicago Bulls Era: Pippen’s Glory Days
Pippen spent a significant portion of his career with the Chicago Bulls, playing nine seasons with the team. His contributions were crucial to the Bulls’ success, helping them secure six NBA championships. His role was especially important during the record-breaking 1995-1996 season, where the team achieved a remarkable 72-10 record. Beyond championships, Pippen earned recognition as a seven-time NBA All-Star and won the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1994. He was also named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History during the 1996-1997 season and had his jersey retired by the Chicago Bulls, one of only four players in the team’s history to earn this honor. Pippen’s legacy includes being the only player to win both an NBA title and Olympic gold medals in the same year, achieving this remarkable feat twice (1992 and 1996).
Salary and Contracts: The Underpaid Superstar?
Many consider Scottie Pippen to be one of the most underpaid NBA players, especially during his prime years. In 1991, Pippen signed a seven-year, $18 million contract extension, a deal he later regretted as it didn’t reflect his value on the court. While his teammate Michael Jordan was earning upwards of $30 million per year, Pippen earned a modest $2.6 million during the peak of the Bulls’ success. Pippen later admitted that he signed the deal out of a desire for financial security, coming from a large, struggling family. Despite the dissatisfaction, Pippen ended his NBA career with $109 million in salary, more than Michael Jordan’s $94 million. This was largely due to a lucrative five-year, $67.2 million contract with the Houston Rockets, which he signed prior to the 1998-1999 season. He later returned to the Bulls for the final years of his career, earning an additional $10 million.
Endorsements and Business Ventures
In addition to his NBA salary, Pippen built his wealth through various endorsement deals. Initially, he wore Avia sneakers but soon switched to Nike, where he released several signature shoes, with the Pippen 1 being particularly notable. His endorsement portfolio included major brands such as Ameritech Cellular TV, McDonald’s, Frito-Lay, Visa, Coca-Cola, and Right Guard.
A Challenging Early Life
Scottie Maurice Pippen was born on September 25, 1965, in Hamburg, Arkansas. He was the youngest of 12 children born to Ethel and Preston Pippen. His mother was 6 feet tall, while his father stood at 6’1″. Growing up in a large family, Scottie faced financial hardship, particularly after his father suffered a debilitating stroke that left him paralyzed on one side. Despite these challenges, Scottie excelled in basketball, leading his high school team to the state playoffs and earning all-conference honors in his senior year. Despite this talent, Pippen didn’t receive any college scholarship offers. He enrolled at the University of Central Arkansas, where he initially stood at 6’1″ before a significant growth spurt helped him reach 6’8″. In college, he averaged 23.6 points, 10 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.
The Road to the NBA: Pippen’s Big Break
In 1987, Scottie Pippen was drafted by the Seattle Supersonics in the first round of the NBA Draft. However, the Chicago Bulls were keen on acquiring him and traded with Seattle to make Pippen part of the team. Pippen made his NBA debut on November 7, 1987, against the Philadelphia 76ers, where he put up solid numbers with 10 points, two steals, four assists, and one rebound in 23 minutes. The Bulls won the game 104-94. By 1990, Pippen had become a starter for the Bulls and was selected to his first NBA All-Star team.
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Pippen’s Role in the Bulls’ Championship Runs
Pippen’s career truly blossomed in the 1990-91 season when he emerged as a defensive juggernaut and offensive threat. He recorded his first career triple-double during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers, contributing 13 points, 12 assists, and 13 rebounds in just 30 minutes of play. That season, he helped lead the Bulls to their first NBA championship by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals. Pippen’s defense and versatility were key as the Bulls secured three consecutive championships in 1991, 1992, and 1993. He was instrumental in the team’s second three-peat, which spanned from 1996 to 1998.
The Final Years: Pippen’s Transition from the Bulls
After over a decade with the Bulls, Pippen was traded to the Houston Rockets in 1998, following the end of the Bulls’ dynasty. He played for the Rockets for a brief period before moving to the Portland Trail Blazers from 1999 to 2003. Following a short retirement, Pippen returned to the Bulls in 2003 on a two-year, $10 million contract. He announced his retirement from the NBA in 2004.
A Brief Return to Basketball and Post-Retirement Activities
In 2008, at age 42, Pippen made a brief comeback, playing a couple of games with Finnish and Swedish teams. Later, in 2010, he returned to the Chicago Bulls as a team ambassador, and in 2012, he became a senior advisor to Bulls president Michael Reinsdorf. Throughout his career, Pippen earned a reputation for his versatility, agility, and defensive prowess. His work ethic allowed him to dominate on both ends of the court, making him one of the most well-rounded players in NBA history.
The Dream Team and International Glory
In 1992, Pippen was named to the U.S. men’s basketball team, known as the “Dream Team,” for the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. The U.S. team went on to win the gold medal, and Pippen and his teammate Michael Jordan became the first players in history to win both an NBA championship and an Olympic gold in the same year.
Financial Setbacks and Legal Issues
In the years following his retirement, Pippen faced some financial challenges. One of the most significant setbacks came when he sued his former financial advisor, Robert Lunn, in 2016 for allegedly mishandling and losing $20 million of his money. Lunn was later convicted of fraud and sentenced to prison for multiple offenses, including forging Pippen’s signature on a loan.
Real Estate Ventures
Pippen has owned several high-profile properties over the years. In 2004, he purchased a massive 10,000-square-foot home in Highland Park, Illinois, which he eventually sold for just under $2 million in 2021. He also owned a Venetian-style mansion in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which he finally sold in 2021 for $10.54 million after a decade of trying to sell it.
Scottie Pippen’s career and legacy are etched into the annals of NBA history. Though his post-retirement life has had its ups and downs, his financial and basketball achievements have ensured his place among the sport’s all-time greats.
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