"We players hold ourselves at a different level now than we did before"- Andre Iguodala revealed the biggest change across the NBA since his debut

Among the richest global sporting bodies, the NBA generated a reported $12.25 billion in revenue during the 2024-25 season, including non-NBA events. The pro basketball league is projected to clock $14.3 billion in revenue during the 2025-26 season.

The NBA has indeed come a long way, especially in terms of financial viability, with players ensuring they capitalize on it, rightly so. Unlike in previous eras, prospects entering today are much better prepared across every facet, whether it's fitness levels or financial planning.

In a 2019 interview with The New Yorker, Andre Iguodala gave a detailed account of how the league had evolved over the years. The Golden State Warriors veteran highlighted how NBA players had begun thinking long-term and had come to understand their true worth.

"We players hold ourselves at a different level now than we did before. Before, it wasn't as much about how active we were, whether it be socially or from a business perspective, a mental space, all those things. We would like each generation to be able to learn from the previous," said Iggy, who began his NBA journey in 2004 as the ninth pick in the draft.

Effective utilization of body and mind

Iguodala played 19 seasons in the league, putting together an impressive resume, which included four championships and a Finals MVP award. Acknowledging the limited shelf life of a professional athlete, Andre discussed how the modern era came in well-prepared.

"I think we're all trying to be in a better space. And you see that physically, with the way we're training, with the technology we're using on and off the court, whether it be with sleep or with yoga or changing our diets." 

"And then you see that with our business, and the way we've disrupted the old model of endorsements, and how we're taking equity in companies, and how we're running our businesses, and how we're running our brands, and how we're taking more ownership of our brands. All those things have really changed throughout the last decade," added Iggy, who already had a roadmap ready post-retirement.

Iguodala believed the billionaire and Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James deserved a lot of credit for extracting the true value of his brand. The Warriors veteran felt Bron served as an excellent example for young athletes in reaching their potential, on or off the court.

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Pivoting at the right time

Iguodala retired from the game he loved after the 2022-23 season. The veteran forward had no interest in overstaying his time as a locker room mentor or elder statesman for long. He wanted to apply his time and energy to his other passion projects, particularly in a venture capital fund.

Back in the day, Andre and his business partner, Rudy Cline-Thomas, started a $200 million venture fund named Mosaic. The project focused on commercial returns and social impact. Iggy once shared why he chose the unique path instead of playing for more years in the NBA.

"Now you have opportunities to have real ownership and real skin in the game with the companies that you're building. And it's a really beautiful thing to see how it's evolved. We've been trying to kick down the door for quite some time," stated Iguodala.

Information and technology have surely helped pro athletes learn the business side of sports as well. For years now, certain team owners and leagues have been shortchanging athletes while making millions from their brand value. Fortunately, awareness and hiring the right minds to manage finances have helped players combat this and build their brands in a big way.

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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Nov 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.