Michael Cooper Net Worth: NBA Earnings, Endorsements, Business Ventures, and More

Three decades of wait and Michael Cooper finally found his iconic No. 21 jersey added to the Lakers’ rafter on the 13th of January 2025. “I had never thought about that because I feel retired jerseys are players that truly, truly deserve it,” he had admitted during his Hall of Fame nomination. Well, someone let the young Cooper know legends gathered to describe him and thousands stood up to shout “Cooooop” in unison as Lakers #21 found its space between Magic Johnson’s No. 32 and James Worthy’s No. 42.

The Pasadena native had one memorable career, winning 5 championship titles with the franchise. A legend in his own right, a true teammate, his legacy is unforgettable. But is this reflected in the Lakers legend’s net worth as well? How much did he earn in his NBA career?

Cooper’s earnings in numbers and some words

The 6-foot-5 star spent his entire 12-year NBA career playing for the Purple and Gold. “I really appreciate being Coop’s teammate. He really helped me succeed,” his former teammate and Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar described during Cooper’s induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024. It was also then that the LA Lakers announced Cooper would be joining the likes of Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlin, and Shaquille O’Neal, among others, in what he calls, the “ultimate award.”

Cooper’s defensive prowess was a show-stealer throughout his career. Finally, in 1987, he was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He was also added to the NBA All-Defensive First Team five times and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team three times. Cooper averaged 8.9 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game across 873 games.

Sure the numbers aren’t eye popping, but as Johnson puts in, “He was always finishing the games. He played the best of the best.” After 3 championships and 3 All-defensive First Teams, Cooper would find his role recognized, signing a 4-year contract worth $600,000 per year in 1986. An average salary in the 80s was somewhere around $246,000 and slightly above. While not much is known about his other contracts, Cooper sure seemed to be earning well. 

Post his NBA run, the 5x champion reportedly eyed a 3-year $5 million contract with an Italian team. He played for a year there, earning All-Star MVP honors, but the details of the contract remain undisclosed.

Right now, the basketball legend boasts a net worth of $6 million, as per Celebrity Net Worth. Some of it a part of his roles beyond a player. 

What did Michael Cooper do after his retirement?

Michael Cooper’s success as a player was well defined by his teammates. Johnson reminisced his role, stating, “Michael Cooper played a big role in us winning… He decided the sixth-man role was great for him… Whoever the highest scorer was on the opponent’s team, he would take him and really shut him down.” Well, Cooper’s impact would stretch beyond that. 

The 5x champion achieved great success later as a coach as well, winning two WNBA championship titles while leading the Los Angeles Sparks to victory. He was also the interim head coach for the Denver Nuggets in 2004. Following this, he coached the USC women’s team (2009–2013) and the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream (2014–2017). He also had a stint in the Big Three in 2018 as a coach.

After a two-year term from 2021 to 2023 at Culver City High School, he later took an assistant job at California State University, Los Angeles. Certainly, most of his net worth is boosted by his post-NBA career. Now, the basketball legend is often seen enjoying his time with his wife, Yvonne. The long list of accolades that Cooper boasts is a just a reminder of his legacy.

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