Net Worth Ranker
What Is Wayman Tisdale’s Net Worth?
Wayman Tisdale, the celebrated American professional basketball player and jazz bassist, had an estimated net worth of $8 million at the time of his passing in May 2009. This sum was accumulated through his successful NBA career and his ventures into the music industry.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 9, 1964, Wayman Tisdale demonstrated exceptional talent in both sports and music from a young age. By eighth grade, he could dunk a basketball. While attending Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he excelled in basketball and earned a scholarship to the University of Oklahoma. During his time with the Sooners from 1982 to 1985, Tisdale averaged 25.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He was a three-time Big Eight Conference Player of the Year and the first player in collegiate history to be named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press in his freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons. He still holds the University of Oklahoma’s career scoring record with 2,661 points and career rebounding record with 1,048. His jersey number, 23, was honored by the University of Oklahoma.
NBA Career and Earnings
Tisdale was drafted as the second overall pick by the Indiana Pacers in the 1985 NBA Draft. During his 12 seasons in the NBA, he played for the Indiana Pacers (1985-1989), Sacramento Kings (1989-1994), and Phoenix Suns (1994-1997). Over his NBA career, Wayman Tisdale accumulated over 12,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists. In the 1989-90 season, his salary with the Sacramento Kings was $2.5 million, making him one of the highest-paid players in the NBA at the time. By the 1995-1996 season, his salary was $3,475,000. These earnings significantly contributed to Wayman Tisdale’s net worth.
Music Career and Album Sales
After retiring from basketball in 1997, Wayman Tisdale dedicated himself to his passion for music. In 1995, he launched his music career with his debut album, “Power Forward,” on Motown’s MoJazz label. The album climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard contemporary jazz chart. He recorded eight albums, showcasing his talent as a smooth jazz bassist. In 2001, Wayman Tisdale’s fourth album, “Face to Face,” reached No. 1 on the Billboard contemporary jazz chart. Wayman Tisdale’s album sales contributed to his income and net worth. Although exact figures for album sales are not available, his success in the contemporary jazz genre indicates a substantial contribution to his overall earnings.
Other Ventures and Recognition
In addition to his sports and music career, Wayman Tisdale explored other ventures. In 1988, former first lady Nancy Reagan honored him for his work against youth drug and alcohol abuse. He also started a company called Big Time Sports Apparel, which specialized in practice gear and sports clothing. In 2002, he was awarded Bassist of the Year during the National Smooth Jazz Awards. The University of Oklahoma-Tulsa announced that its new specialty health clinic in north Tulsa would be named in Tisdale’s honor in June 2009. The total investment in Wayman Tisdale Fine Arts Academy was $6.8 million. The Wayman L Tisdale Foundation identifies individuals with prosthetic needs but who have limited resources, providing them with cutting edge prosthetic care through its programs.
Wayman Tisdale’s Legacy
Wayman Tisdale’s legacy extends beyond his athletic and musical achievements. Following his cancer diagnosis in 2007 and the subsequent amputation of his right leg, he established the Wayman Tisdale Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to support amputees by providing resources, counseling, and financial assistance for prosthetic care. As of December 2022, the Wayman L Tisdale Foundation had total assets of $158,831. Wayman Tisdale’s commitment to philanthropy and helping others further solidified his impact on the community. The outstanding freshman award in the NCAA is named the Wayman Tisdale Award. The album “American Ride,” released in 2009 by Toby Keith, is dedicated in memory of Wayman Tisdale. The album includes the song “Cryin’ for Me (Wayman’s Song),” a tribute to Tisdale featuring Keith, Dave Koz, Marcus Miller, and Arthur Thompson.
