LeBron James’ decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers on a veteran’s minimum deal created one of the loudest headlines of the summer, but it also produced an eye-opening comparison: in 2026, the NBA icon will make less than Oregon quarterback Dante Moore.
James is set to earn just $4 million from the Sixers after taking a pay cut to help with roster construction. That figure, striking as it is for one of the greatest players in basketball history, comes in below the money Moore is expected to bring in at Oregon.
Moore returned to Eugene after turning down a spot in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and there was almost certainly a strong NIL package attached to that choice. On3 estimates Moore will make $5 million this year with the Ducks, though that number is only an estimate and he could be earning more through his other NIL deals.
The contrast is even more dramatic when you consider that James’ NBA salary is only part of his income. He remains one of the highest-paid and most marketed athletes in the world, with hundreds of millions coming in from other avenues this year. That broader financial picture helps explain why he could afford to take less from the Sixers.
Oregon’s spending doesn’t stop with Moore, either. The Ducks are believed to be paying plenty across the roster as they chase a national championship, with players like Evan Stewart, Dakorien Moore, A'Mauri Washington, Koi Perich, and Matayo Uiagalelei among those expected to command significant money, even if the exact figures aren’t public.
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Oregons search for frontcourt help has taken an unusual turn, with Duke Brennan emerging as a name to watch for the 2026-27 season. The former Villanova forward brings the kind of size and production the Ducks have been trying to line up, and his recent college resume includes a full-time role with the Wildcats after he started all 32 games and averaged 12.4 points and 10.3 rebounds.
What makes this one so tricky is that Brennans path back to college basketball is anything but straightforward. He has already spent time in NBA Summer League, even appearing in three games for Brooklyn last week, and his future now hinges on a waiver process that remains unsettled under the sports new eligibility framework. For Oregon, it is the sort of high-upside frontcourt pursuit that could pay off in a big way, but only if the paperwork eventually breaks the right way. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Just Drew A Massive Big Ten Statement Against Ohio State
The preseason Big Ten honors are already giving Oregon a clear place in the conference conversation, and the Ducks landed there in a big way. Scott Dochterman of The Athletic noted that Oregon and Ohio State each placed five players on the first-team offense and defense for 2026, but Oregons depth stood out even more across the full set of selections, with the Ducks piling up the most total honorees in the league.
That kind of recognition only adds another layer to what is shaping up as a marquee meeting later this fall, especially with the Ohio State-Oregon matchup on Nov. 7 already carrying the feel of a measuring-stick game. The comparison between Julian Sayin and Dante Moore will draw plenty of attention, and the broader list of Ducks spread across the second and third teams suggests Oregon has plenty of high-end talent waiting to make its case once the season starts. [Read more 🡒]