Bryce Cotton, a prominent player for the Perth Wildcats, has made career decisions that illustrate aspects of the National Basketball League's (NBL) growth and financial competitiveness. His tenure has coincided with a period of increased salaries, private ownership influence, and the league's developing reputation as a pathway to global basketball opportunities.
Bryce Cotton's Career with Perth Wildcats
Bryce Cotton joined the Perth Wildcats in January 2017 as a mid-season signing. His debut on January 7, 2017, against the Sydney Kings resulted in 26 points, demonstrating immediate impact. At the time, the Wildcats were experiencing injuries and were low on the ladder.
During the 2017 season, Cotton received a 10-day contract offer from the NBA's Atlanta Hawks. Coach Trevor Gleeson stated that Cotton declined the NBA offer, choosing to remain with the Perth Wildcats to pursue a championship. Following this decision, the Wildcats won seven consecutive games, achieving a 13-4 record between December 31 and March 5. They secured their eighth championship by defeating the Cairns Taipans 2-0 in the semi-finals and the Illawarra Hawks 3-0 in the Grand Final series. Cotton was named Grand Final MVP, averaging 27.7 points per game in the series and recording 45 points in Game 3.
After winning the championship, Cotton informed Gleeson of his interest in returning to Perth, and his re-signing with the Wildcats was secured within 24 hours. During his subsequent seasons under Gleeson, Cotton achieved two NBL championships, two NBL MVPs, and two Club MVPs.
Cotton's NBA career included 23 games across stints with the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, and Memphis Grizzlies. Gleeson identified factors such as timing, role, circumstance, team fit, salary cap considerations, and the NBA's shift towards larger guards as influences on Cotton's limited NBA presence. In a 2018 NBLxNBA preseason game against the Denver Nuggets, Cotton scored 33 points against Denver's starting lineup. In a recent season, he averaged 25.6 points and a career-high 7.8 assists per game, leading the league in assists, reflecting an evolution in his game to include a playmaking role.
Cotton's career involved an estimated financial difference of approximately $8 million over a decade, comparing projected NBL earnings to average NBA minimum salaries. This choice was presented as prioritizing legacy, stability, and fulfillment within the NBL. Gleeson has characterized Cotton as a generational player whose achievements are approaching the legacy of Andrew Gaze.
NBL's Financial Landscape and Player Remuneration
The National Basketball League is recognized as a domestic basketball competition in Australia that has experienced growth in recent years, accompanied by increases in player salaries. However, challenges persist in attracting and retaining talent globally.
The NBL's salary cap for the 2025-26 season has increased to $2,025,569 AUD per club, with each team required to have 11 fully contracted players. A regulation dictates that the combined salaries of a team’s five lowest-paid players cannot exceed 40% of the total cap, amounting to no more than $729,212 AUD, or an average of approximately $131,059 AUD per player.
Minimum contracts for rookie players are around $80,000 AUD per season, while development players earn approximately $22,500 AUD. Former NBL player and current commentator Felix Von Hofe noted improvements, recalling a time when development players received no pay, compared to current minimums.
While the middle tier of NBL player salaries may not always match remuneration in some other international leagues, the top tier is robust, with four players expected to earn over $1 million AUD in NBL26. These players include Bryce Cotton, Xavier Cooks, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, and Jack McVeigh. The league utilizes a marquee system, which allows teams to pay elite Australian or New Zealand-eligible players above the salary cap, with only a fixed portion counting against the cap. For instance, a first marquee player has a cap hit of $250,056.15.
Comparative Analysis with Other Leagues
Australian Sporting Codes:
The NBL’s top-end salaries are competitive when compared to Australia’s major leagues, the AFL and NRL.
- The AFL operates with a salary cap of approximately $17.7 million AUD for up to 44 players, while the NRL has a $11.95 million AUD cap for up to 36 players.
- Rookie Contracts: AFL rookies earn around $100,000 AUD, and NRL rookies between $70,000 and $120,000 AUD. NBL rookie minimums are $80,000 AUD.
- Top Salaries: The highest-paid AFL player earned about $1.45 million AUD, and the NRL’s leading salary was around $1.4 million AUD. Approximately 25 AFL players and 15-20 NRL players earn $1 million or more annually. The NBL features four players earning over $1 million AUD.
- Average Salaries: The AFL and NRL hold an advantage in average salaries, with mid-level players potentially earning more than their NBL counterparts, which can lead NBL mid-tier players to seek opportunities in other leagues like Japan.
- The Big Bash League (BBL), a T20 cricket competition, offers platinum contracts up to $420,000 AUD. The NBL generally has higher top-end salaries than the BBL, with comparable depth in the middle tier.
Global Basketball Leagues:
Globally, the NBL faces financial competition from various leagues.
- Japan’s B1 League: Offers competitive salaries, particularly for high-level imports, up to $2.2 million AUD net. Japan’s upcoming B.League Premier in 2026-27, with a salary cap, is expected to bring salaries closer to NBL levels for import talent.
- College Basketball (NIL Deals): Elite young players can earn substantial amounts through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. For example, one projected 2025 NBA Draft pick had an estimated NIL valuation of $7.25 million AUD.
- EuroLeague: Minimum salaries are between $160,000 and $240,000 AUD, average contracts range from $750,000 to $1.2 million AUD, and elite stars can earn $4 million to $8 million AUD per season.
- NBA: Rookie minimum salaries start around $1.9 million AUD, rising to over $5.4 million AUD for veterans, with superstars earning more than $80 million AUD annually.
League Growth, Ownership, and NBA Pathway
Cotton's arrival in the NBL in 2017 coincided with a period of significant league growth, which included expansion, new broadcast agreements, and increased talent attraction. Trevor Gleeson indicated that Cotton contributed to solidifying the NBL's status as an elite global league, attracting international players due to financial opportunities, a safe environment, and a high quality of life.
Most NBL clubs operate under private ownership. This model allows owners greater discretion in spending, with some willing to absorb short-term losses to pursue on-court success. This private ownership has enabled faster financial growth and investment in talent within the NBL.
While its top salaries do not match the EuroLeague or NBA, the NBL is recognized by agents and players as a strong pathway to the NBA. The league is considered financially stable, offering development opportunities and international credibility, particularly due to the potential financial upside of reaching the NBA.