Overview

Metta World Peace, born Ronald William Artest Jr., is an American former professional basketball player who played 19 seasons in the NBA. He is known for his defensive skills and at times, controversial behavior on the court. Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1999, he later played for the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks. He won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2010. Beyond basketball, Metta has ventured into music, acting, and reality television. He has also become an advocate for mental health awareness, speaking openly about his own experiences and working with various organizations. He legally changed his name to Metta World Peace in 2011 to promote goodwill. In 2024, Metta teamed up with Boost Mobile CEO Stephen Stokols to launch a venture fund aimed at supporting sports tech, digital media platforms, and health and wellness innovations. His career earnings totaled over $85 million. He also appeared on Dancing With the Stars, Celebrity Big Brother, and Lip Sync Battle.

What Is Metta World Peace’s Net Worth?

Metta World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, has accumulated a net worth of $30 million throughout his career as a professional basketball player. This wealth primarily stems from his NBA salaries, endorsements, and other ventures. While specific details regarding the breakdown of his net worth (e.g., music revenue, concert income, endorsements, or business investments) are not publicly detailed, his NBA earnings constitute a significant portion.

Career Earnings and Contract Details

During his NBA career, Metta World Peace secured contracts that reflect his value as a defensive player and contributor to championship-caliber teams. His career NBA earnings totaled approximately $77 million. One notable contract was the five-year, $33 million deal he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009. This contract provided an annual average salary of $6.6 million. Other specific contract details, such as performance-based incentives or signing bonuses, are not publicly available. However, the Lakers’ contract marked a high point in his earning potential, coinciding with his NBA championship win in 2010. While playing with the Los Angeles Lakers, Metta World Peace secured an annual salary of $6.6 million.

His earlier contracts also contributed substantially to his overall earnings. While the specifics of his contracts with the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, and Houston Rockets are not fully detailed in the provided information, these contracts, combined with his Lakers deal, made up the bulk of his $77 million career earnings.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born Ronald William Artest Jr. on November 13, 1979, in the Queensbridge projects in Queens, New York, Metta World Peace’s early life was marked by challenges that he overcame through basketball. Specific details about his family’s financial situation during his upbringing are not available, but the Queensbridge projects are known to be a low-income housing development. As a teenager, he honed his basketball skills at La Salle Academy in Manhattan. While playing basketball in High School, Metta World Peace perfected his skills, building the foundation for his future basketball career.

His college career at St. John’s University from 1997 to 1999 further prepared him for the NBA. In 1999, he led the team to a 14-4 record in the Big East Conference and a place in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division 1 Tournament. These achievements raised his profile and made him a coveted prospect for the NBA draft. He was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 1999 NBA draft.

NBA Career: Key Milestones and Controversies

Metta World Peace’s NBA career was marked by both significant achievements and controversial incidents that impacted his earnings and reputation. He played 175 games for the Chicago Bulls, averaging 12.5 points per game before being traded to the Indiana Pacers midway through the 2001-2002 season. While specific financial penalties related to his behavior with the Bulls are not mentioned, the trade to the Pacers represented a potential shift in his earning trajectory.

His time with the Indiana Pacers was notable for his on-court performance and disciplinary issues. In 2003, he received a four-game suspension for a verbal altercation and gesture toward the audience, resulting in a loss of salary proportional to the games missed. The most significant incident occurred in November 2004 during a game between the Pacers and the Detroit Pistons. This infamous brawl led to an 86-game suspension, the longest for an on-court incident in NBA history. This suspension cost him a substantial portion of his salary, impacting his earnings for that season.

After the Pacers, he played for the Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets. In 2006, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Peja Stojaković. However, he was suspended from Game 2 of the team’s first-round series against the Spurs for elbowing Manu Ginóbili. In the summer of 2008, Artest was traded to the Houston Rockets. The Rockets playoffs success earned him approximately $163,000, for playing in 13 playoff games.

His move to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 marked a career resurgence. Signing a five-year, $33 million contract, he played a crucial role in the Lakers’ 2010 NBA championship victory. In Game 6 of the 2010 NBA Finals, he scored 20 points, securing the championship for the Lakers. This success elevated his market value and contributed to his overall net worth.

Later in his career, he played for the New York Knicks, Sichuan Blue Whales, and Pallacanestro Cantù before returning to the Lakers in 2015. These later stints likely involved smaller contracts and shorter durations, contributing less significantly to his overall net worth compared to his peak earning years. Ron returned to the Lakers in September 2015 and made his debut in a 104-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets in November.

Television and Media Appearances

Beyond his NBA career, Metta World Peace engaged in various television and media appearances, adding to his income streams. He participated in the 13th season of “Dancing with the Stars,” earning an estimated $125,000 for his appearance. He was also a panelist on the Nickelodeon game show “Figure it Out” and played a newscaster on the Comedy Central sketch show “Key and Peele.” His participation in “Celebrity Big Brother” in 2018 also contributed to his earnings, although the specific amount is not publicly disclosed. In 2018, Artest was a contestant on “Celebrity Big Brother.”

In 2006, Ron released a rap album, “My World,” featuring guest artists such as P. Diddy, Mike Jones, Juvenile, and Big Kap. The commercial success and royalties from this album likely contributed a modest amount to his overall income. Although the album’s sales figures and revenue are not detailed, it represents a diversification of his income beyond basketball.

Personal Life and Real Estate

Metta World Peace’s personal life includes relationships and family responsibilities that have influenced his financial decisions. He has four children: Sadie, Ron III, Diamond, and Jeron. Specific details about child support payments or other financial arrangements related to his children are not available. Ron began going by Metta World Peace during his final years with the Lakers.

Information regarding Metta World Peace’s real estate holdings is limited. Details such as the specific addresses, purchase prices, or current values of any properties he owns are not publicly accessible. Generally, NBA players invest in real estate as a means of diversifying their assets, and it is plausible that Metta World Peace has made similar investments.

Luxury Assets: Cars and Other Investments

Details regarding Metta World Peace’s luxury assets, such as specific car models or private planes, are not publicly available. High-profile athletes often own luxury vehicles and may invest in other assets such as art, jewelry, or collectibles. Without specific information, it is challenging to assess the value of these potential assets.

Similarly, information on his personal investments is not detailed in the provided text. NBA players often invest in business ventures, stocks, or other financial instruments to grow their wealth. While it is possible that Metta World Peace has made such investments, specific details are not accessible.

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