Net Worth Ranker
What Is Kevin Love’s Net Worth?
Kevin Love, the American professional basketball player, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $100 million. This wealth is primarily derived from his NBA contracts, brand endorsements, and strategic investments over his career.
Kevin Love’s NBA Career and Earnings
Love’s journey in the NBA began after being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2008 and immediately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He spent six seasons with the Timberwolves before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014. In 2016, he was a key part of the Cavaliers team that won the NBA Championship, marking a significant milestone in his career.
In 2011, Kevin Love received the NBA Most Improved Player award. During the 2011-2012 season, Love signed a four-year contract extension with the Timberwolves potentially worth up to $62 million. This contract was the subject of considerable negotiation, as Love initially sought a five-year extension, which was not granted by the Timberwolves’ management. In 2015, he opted out of the final year of his contract with the Cavaliers, which was valued at approximately $17 million, to become a free agent.
Further solidifying his financial standing, in 2018, Love signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers. This contract reflects his value and contribution to the team. His career earnings from NBA salaries alone total over $200 million as of now.
Endorsements and Business Ventures
Beyond his NBA earnings, Kevin Love has strategically cultivated his brand through various endorsement deals. In 2011, he signed a six-year deal with 361 Degrees, a Chinese shoe company. The terms of this deal were not fully disclosed, but such agreements typically include base compensation, royalties, and performance incentives.
In 2012, Love became an investor and promoter for the lifestyle website 12Society. This venture aligns with his interest in expanding his influence beyond basketball. In 2016, Kevin Love was announced as a style ambassador and campaign model for Banana Republic. This collaboration further boosted his profile and income. He has also appeared in several spin-off productions related to Pepsi’s “Uncle Drew” online internet campaign since 2012.
Philanthropic Contributions
Kevin Love has made significant charitable contributions, including establishing the Kevin Love Fund. In 2020, he donated $100,000 to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to support the salaries of staff members unable to work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the same year, the Kevin Love Fund sent a truckload of lunches to the staff at Cleveland’s Medical Intensive Care Unit and to various COVID-19 testing sites. He later announced that his fund was donating $500,000 to support a scholar at one of the top-ranked psychology departments in the United States, aiming to address anxiety and depression issues.
In 2016, Love donated $1 million to UCLA Athletics, a donation that was matched by Russell Westbrook. These funds were allocated to creating UCLA’s Mo Ostin Basketball Center.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Wesley Love was born on September 7, 1988, in Santa Monica, California. He comes from an interesting family: his uncle is Mike Love, a founding member of the Beach Boys, making him cousins with Beach Boys members Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson, and Carl Wilson. His aunt is Kathleen McCartney (now Kathleen Hearst), who won the women’s Ironman triathlon in February 1982. Kevin grew up alongside future NBA star Klay Thompson and started playing basketball at a young age.
Kevin’s father, Stan Love, formerly played in the NBA, providing him with early coaching and guidance. Love gained national attention as a top-ranked prospect out of high school. He excelled during his high school years, leading his team to the 2005 state championship game. By his senior year, he was named Gatorade National Male Athlete of the Year and a “Parade” first-team All-American. He finished his high school career as the all-time leading scorer in Oregon boys’ basketball history with 2,628 points.
Love played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins for one season. Despite facing harassment from University of Oregon fans, he earned notable honors, including First Team All-American and Pac-12 Player of the Year.
Mental Health Advocacy
Kevin Love has been outspoken about his struggles with mental health. After DeMar DeRozan disclosed his struggles with depression in 2018, Love revealed that he had been seeing a therapist since experiencing a panic attack during an NBA game in 2017. He has since become an advocate for destigmatizing mental health issues and has discussed his family history of depression, his struggles with anxiety and rage, and his commitment to improving mental health care.
Love has emphasized that providing better mental health resources for young boys is his “life’s work.” His advocacy efforts have contributed significantly to raising awareness and promoting mental health support.
