Phil Jackson is a basketball legend. People call him the “Zen Master.” His net worth in 2025 is about $70 million. This article explains how he earned his money as a player, coach, and team leader. It covers his salary, houses, deals, and how he built his wealth. Carrie S. Johnson, a writer with seven years of experience, wrote this. She makes money stories fun and simple.
Who Is Phil Jackson?
Phil Jackson is a big name in basketball. He was born on September 17, 1945, in Deer Lodge, Montana. His parents were church leaders, so he grew up calm and thoughtful. He played basketball in college at the University of North Dakota. Later, he became an NBA player, coach, and team boss. His calm coaching style, using teamwork and focus, made him famous.
Jackson’s career lasted many years. He played in the NBA for 12 years, mostly with the New York Knicks. As a coach, he won 11 NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. He also worked as a team leader for the Knicks. Let’s see how these jobs made him rich.
How Phil Jackson Made His $70 Million
Phil Jackson earned his money in many ways. He played basketball, coached teams, led the Knicks, and made smart deals. Here’s a simple look at how he built his wealth.
Money from Playing Basketball
Phil Jackson started in the NBA in 1967. The New York Knicks picked him as a player. He played for them for most of his 12 years, winning NBA titles in 1970 and 1973. His last two years were with the New Jersey Nets, ending in 1980. He was a good backup player, known for hard work and defense.
Back then, NBA players didn’t earn as much as today. Top players made about $100,000 a year. As a backup, Jackson likely earned $20,000 to $50,000 a year. Over 12 years, he made about $400,000 to $600,000. He also got extra money for winning titles. This was a small start to his wealth.
Coaching: His Biggest Money-Maker
Jackson’s real wealth came from coaching. After he stopped playing, he started coaching in 1980. He worked in smaller leagues, like Puerto Rico and the Continental Basketball Association. In 1985, he won a championship with the Albany Patroons, showing his skill.
Chicago Bulls: Six Big Wins
In 1987, the Chicago Bulls hired Jackson as an assistant coach. By 1989, he was the head coach. He led the Bulls for nine years, winning six NBA titles from 1991 to 1993 and 1996 to 1998. He coached stars like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. His special “triangle offense” plan, which used teamwork, made the Bulls a top team.
Jackson’s salary with the Bulls grew fast. In the early 1990s, he earned about $400,000 a year. By the late 1990s, he made $2 million a year because he was so successful. He also got bonuses for playoffs, about $200,000 to $500,000 each season. In nine years, he earned about $10 million to $12 million from the Bulls. This was a big part of his money.
Los Angeles Lakers: Five More Titles
In 1999, Jackson became the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. He led them to five NBA titles from 2000 to 2002 and 2009 to 2010. He coached stars like Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. His Lakers years paid even more. In the early 2000s, he earned about $6 million a year. By his last years (2009–2011), he made up to $12 million a year, one of the highest coaching salaries.
Over 11 years with the Lakers, Jackson earned about $60 million to $80 million, including bonuses. His 20 years coaching the Bulls and Lakers made him super rich. His 11 championships and playoff wins made him one of the best-paid coaches ever.
Leading the New York Knicks
In 2014, Jackson went back to the New York Knicks as their president. He made big team decisions, like picking players. He signed a five-year deal for $60 million, or $12 million a year. This added a lot to his wealth, even if his time there wasn’t as great as his coaching.
Jackson left the Knicks in 2017. Some people didn’t like his choices, like trading players. Still, he earned about $36 million in three years. This job helped grow his $70 million net worth.
Deals with Brands
Jackson also made money from brand deals. As a player, he had small deals with brands like Converse. As a famous coach, he got bigger deals with companies like Nike and Gatorade. These likely paid him $500,000 to $1 million a year at their best.
He also appeared in ads and NBA promotions. His “Zen Master” nickname made him special to brands. Over his career, he likely earned $5 million to $10 million from these deals. This wasn’t his main money, but it helped.
Books and TV Appearances
Jackson wrote books about his coaching and life. His book Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior (1995) was a big hit. Another book, Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success (2013), shared his championship stories. These books likely earned him $1 million to $2 million.
He also appeared on TV shows, documentaries, and podcasts about basketball. For example, he was in The Last Dance (2020) about the Bulls. These appearances paid him about $10,000 to $50,000 each time. This added a little to his wealth and kept him famous.
Houses and Property
Jackson owns valuable houses, which add to his $70 million. Here’s what he owns:
- Montana: He has a home in Lakeside, Montana, worth $1 million to $2 million. It’s a quiet place to relax.
- Los Angeles: He owns a house in Los Angeles from his Lakers days, worth $3 million to $5 million.
- New York: In 2004, he bought a big apartment in The Osborne building in Midtown. It has seven rooms and is worth $6 million to $8 million now.
These houses are worth about $10 million to $15 million total. They show Jackson likes nice, private places.
Other Money Ideas
Jackson likely put money into stocks or other investments. Rich people often work with advisors to grow their money. With his high coaching and Knicks salaries, he had a lot to invest. These could be in funds, businesses, or more properties. We don’t know exact details, but they likely add $5 million to $10 million to his wealth.
Phil Jackson’s $70 Million Breakdown
Here’s a simple list of where his money came from:
- Player Money: $400,000 to $600,000 (1967–1980)
- Coaching Money (Bulls and Lakers): $70 million to $90 million (1989–2011)
- Knicks Leader Money: $36 million (2014–2017)
- Brand Deals: $5 million to $10 million
- Books: $1 million to $2 million
- TV Appearances: $500,000 to $1 million
- Houses: $10 million to $15 million
- Other Investments: $5 million to $10 million
Coaching was his biggest money-maker. His Knicks job and houses also added a lot.
How Jackson’s Money Compares to Other Coaches
Let’s compare Jackson to other NBA coaches. Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs has about $40 million. Pat Riley, another great coach, has about $80 million. Jackson’s $70 million puts him near the top. His 11 championships and big Knicks job make his wealth bigger than most coaches.
Jackson’s Life and Spending
Phil Jackson lives quietly. His Montana home shows he likes nature. His New York and Los Angeles homes are fancy but not too showy. He doesn’t seem to buy flashy things like some stars. He drives normal cars, but we don’t know which ones. He was engaged to Jeanie Buss, part of the Lakers family, but they split in 2016. Now, he focuses on writing and basketball talks.
His books and TV appearances show he likes sharing ideas. He doesn’t use social media much, which fits his calm style. His money goes to houses and investments, not big luxuries.
Challenges in His Career
Jackson had some tough times. His Knicks job from 2014 to 2017 wasn’t great. Some didn’t like his player trades, and the team didn’t win much. In 2023, he said he stopped watching the NBA in 2020 because of its social messages. This upset some people, like Jalen Rose. These moments don’t change his money but show he’s had ups and downs.
Why His Net Worth Matters
Phil Jackson’s $70 million shows how skill and hard work can make you rich. His story, from a small-town player to a top coach, is inspiring. His money comes from many places—coaching, leading teams, deals, and houses. For people curious about getting rich, Jackson’s life shows how to mix different ways to earn money.
Conclusion
Phil Jackson’s $70 million net worth in 2025 comes from a great career. He earned money as a player, coach, team leader, and more. This article, by Carrie S. Johnson, explains it all in a simple way. Check out more money stories on our site for other inspiring tales.
Disclaimer: This article is only for information. It is not financial advice, legal advice, or any other kind of professional advice. The numbers about Phil Jackson’s net worth are based on public sources, estimates, and reports. They may not be 100% exact. We do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. This is not a promotional or affiliate article. We are not paid by any person, brand, or company mentioned here. Readers should always do their own research.
