Net Worth Ranker
What Is Bill Walton’s Net Worth?
At the time of his passing in 2024, Bill Walton, the celebrated former NBA player and sportscaster, had accumulated a net worth estimated at $20 million. This wealth was a culmination of earnings from his professional basketball career, broadcasting contracts, and other ventures. His financial portfolio reflected a career marked by both on-court achievements and a successful transition to media.
Bill Walton’s NBA Career and Earnings
Bill Walton’s NBA journey began in 1974 when he was selected as the first overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite early challenges with injuries, Walton’s talent shone brightly, particularly during the 1976-77 season. Under the guidance of Coach Jack Ramsay, the Trail Blazers defied expectations, clinching the NBA Championship. Walton’s pivotal role earned him the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award that year. In Game 6 of the Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, he scored 20 points and grabbed 23 rebounds.
Walton’s NBA career spanned several teams, including the San Diego Clippers and the Boston Celtics. In 1986, he secured his second NBA title with the Celtics, contributing as a key player off the bench. Over his NBA career, Bill Walton’s total salary earnings amounted to approximately $3 million. Adjusted for inflation, this equals around $7.5 million in today’s dollars. His peak earning season was 1984-85 with the Clippers, where he received $1.35 million. He then earned $425,000 annually for his three seasons with the Boston Celtics.
Bill Walton’s Broadcasting Career and Earnings
Following his retirement from professional basketball, Bill Walton transitioned into broadcasting, initially facing the hurdle of overcoming a stutter. With the guidance of broadcaster Marty Glickman, Walton refined his speaking skills and embarked on a career as a sportscaster. His broadcasting journey began with CBS in the early 1990s, followed by a long tenure with NBC until the early 2000s. He became widely recognized for his work with ESPN. Bill Walton left ESPN in 2009 after 19 years in broadcasting to undergo treatment for a back injury. After his surgery, he returned to commentating work.
Walton’s unique style as a color commentator made him a popular figure, marked by distinctive catchphrases and a satellite radio show, “One More Saturday Night.” In 2001, Walton was awarded an Emmy Award for his commentating work, solidifying his status in the broadcasting industry. Exact figures of his broadcasting earnings have not been publicly disclosed, but it’s understood that his contracts with CBS, NBC, and ESPN contributed significantly to his overall wealth and net worth.
Bill Walton’s Early Life and Education
William Theodore Walton III was born on November 5, 1952, in La Mesa, California. He grew up alongside his four siblings and initially explored music through lessons before gravitating towards sports, emulating his older brother, Bruce. Bill’s journey in basketball began in elementary school. The sport provided a welcome escape from a stutter and shyness. In high school, Bill and Bruce were teammates. Despite showcasing immense potential, he also faced injury challenges during these years. In his high school years, Walton suffered several broken bones and underwent knee surgery. A significant growth spurt during his sophomore year complicated his physical adjustment.
After high school, Bill attended UCLA on a basketball scholarship, receiving offers from other schools. In 1973, Walton played in what many consider the best NCAA Championship game ever. The UCLA Bruins played against Memphis State, and Walton scored 44 points out of 22 attempts. In 2020, his record for the most points in an NCAA Championship game still stands.
Bill Walton’s Real Estate and Personal Life
In 2010, Bill Walton and his wife acquired a residence in San Diego, California, for $3.2 million. Considering real estate appreciation, the value of this property is likely to have increased to an estimated $5-6 million. This investment is a tangible component of Walton’s overall asset portfolio and net worth.
Bill was married to Susan Guth from 1979 to 1989. In 1991, he married Lori Matsuoka. He and Susan had four sons, including Luke Walton, who went on to become an NBA player and coach. Details about his personal life and habits were not publicly available.
Bill Walton’s Health Issues and Memoir
Bill Walton had multiple ankle surgeries because his injury problems were too severe to deal with. Excessive use of painkillers was prescribed to him by doctors. In 2009, Walton underwent an 8-hour surgery to fuse his spine, inserting titanium rods into his back. For a year after the surgery, he could not move freely, but it was successful. On May 27, 2024, Bill died from colorectal cancer at the age of 71.
After his basketball career, Bill released a memoir, “Back from the Dead: Searching for the Sound, Shining the Light and Throwing it Down.” This book made it onto the “New York Times” bestseller list for two weeks after its release. Information on his memoir earnings is not publicly available, but it is known that it added to his wealth and net worth.
