Germany Basketball League Salaries: BBL, Pro A, Pro B, Regionalliga, Oberliga, Landesliga + More [Ultimate Guide, 2021]
how much do pro basketball players make in Germany?
Overseas basketball salaries in Germany can reach as high as $1 Million USD/per year if playing in the top league (Basketball Bundesliga).
More realistically though, a salary between $1,000 - $10,000 USD/per month is most common for overseas players playing in Germany’s pro circuit (BBL, Pro A, Pro B, Regionalliga 1-2).
According to our overseas basketball salaries study that examined 100-plus pro leagues in the world, this would put Germany’s top league - the BBL - in the highest pay grade of overseas leagues.
But the lower divisions (Pro A, Pro B, Regionalliga 1/2) would fit into the mid to lower-tier.
So how exactly is the money distributed?
Let’s break down each league fully.
germany PRO basketball league system
The highest level in Germany’s professional basketball league system is the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL).
In total there are 11 leagues with some competitions being nationwide.
Others are restricted to specific regions.
Here are the 11 divisions in German’s pro basketball system:
|
League Name |
Division |
|
Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) |
1st Division |
|
Pro A |
2nd Division |
|
Pro B |
3rd Division |
|
Regionalliga 1 |
4th Division |
|
Regionalliga 2 |
5th Division |
|
Oberliga |
6th Division |
|
Landesliga |
7th Division |
|
Bezirksliga |
8th Division |
|
Kreisliga A |
9th Division |
|
Kreisliga B |
10th Division |
|
Kreisliga C |
11th Division |
Chart: Josecolorado.com [2021]
Now understand something:
Within this system, each league promotes and relegates a couple of teams on a yearly basis.
That means (usually) the top two teams advance to the next division while the bottom two go down a division.
But while every team is looking to do well and potentially advance, that doesn’t mean every team will pay to try and get there.
In fact:
Far from it.
Here’s how I’d break the leagues up further if you were to categorize them professional versus non-professional:
|
Professional German Basketball Leagues |
|
|
Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) |
1st Division |
|
Pro A |
2nd Division |
|
Pro B |
3rd Division |
|
Regionalliga 1 |
4th Division |
|
Semi-Professional German Leagues |
|
|
Regionalliga 2 |
5th Division |
|
Non-Professional German Leagues |
|
|
Oberliga |
6th Division |
|
Landesliga |
7th Division |
|
Bezirksliga |
8th Division |
|
Kreisliga A |
9th Division |
|
Kreisliga B |
10th Division |
|
Kreisliga C |
11th Division |
Chart: Josecolorado.com [2021]
For the first four divisions you can typically expect the vast majority of players on each club to receive a salary (we’ll go into how much for each league in a sec).
But once you hit Regionalliga 2 (RL 2) it gets a bit murky.
Some teams will pay in this league.
Others won’t.
It all depends on the ambition of the club:
Do they want to advance (i.e. do they have the funding to support the next level)?
Are they coming up from Oberliga with little budget/resources?
…etc.
That means if you’re an overseas basketball player (i.e. foreigner to Germany) and you’re looking to get paid for playing basketball then your options are limited.
So let’s start with the best case scenario: the BBL.
German Basketball Bundesliga Salaries (Easycredit BBL)
|
Team Budget Requirement |
$3.4 Million USD (€3 Million) |
|
Player Salary Ranges |
$30K - $1 Million USD/per year |
|
Most Commonly Reported Salary (Imports) |
$100K - $300K USD/yr |
|
Lowest Reported Salary |
$30,000 USD/yr |
|
MAX Salary |
$1 Million USD/yr |
|
Sources Referenced [Players, Media, Coaches, Agents] |
30 |
Source : Josecolorado.com, Professional Basketball Players Survey Data [2021]
The Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) - also known as easyCredit BBL - pays the highest basketball salaries in German professional basketball. Typically, a foreigner can expect between $100,000 - $300,000 USD/per year.
But salaries can go as low as $30,000 USD to a MAX of $1 Million USD/per year depending on the club.
How much do pro basketball players make in germany?
When it comes to purely German players, the best German BBL hoopers (i.e. National Team members) can expect roughly $100,000 - $115,000 USD/per year according to insiders.
To no one’s surprise however, NBA Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki holds the title as the highest paid German-born player ever.
His career earnings in the NBA were $255 Million USD over a 21 years.
Germany basketball bundesliga team budgets
In the Basketball Bundesliga each team is required to have a minimum budget of €3 Million (approx. $3.4 Million USD) to even register in the league.
A handful of German teams are able to push the $10 million USD mark but the biggest budget currently belongs to Bayern Munich at roughly €20 - 23 Million Euros ($23 - 26 Million USD).
The second-largest team budget (on record) I could find was Alba Berlin - winner of 10 Basketball Bundesliga titles - with an €11 Million ($12.7 Million USD) budget in 2019.
Brose Baskets Bamberg, Baskets Oldenbug and Baskets Bonn are some others that are speculated to be amongst the highest-paying (although I could not find actual reports on these. I will link them if I ever do).
While multiple BBL clubs pushing $10 million USD budgets may seem like a huge deal, when you take a step back and analyze it - it’s really not.
It’s quite feasible.
Just consider (a.) that $10 Million USD is not too far off from the minimum league entry ($3.4 Million USD) and (b). Germany has the fourth-largest GDP (economy) in the world.
There is money to be had in this country.
The only question is, will business owners and sponsors find value in spending it on basketball rather than soccer or handball (Europe’s most popular sports)?
Another important consideration:
These team budgets are reflective of the total team costs.
That means they aren’t just dedicated to player salaries.
So beyond player salaries - the following expenses have to also be accounted for:
Transportation
Cars
Taxes
Insurance
Venue
Uniforms
League registration
All of these will eat away at the budget and reduce player salaries in the BBL - although they are still some of the best in the world.
Luckily for imports, there are currently six spots allowed for them - making this a very accessible league.
Other BBL considerations:
|
Germany Basketball Bundesliga |
|
|
Imports allowed |
6 |
|
Required arena capacity |
3,000+ |
|
Teams promoted |
N/A |
|
Teams relegated |
2 |
Chart: Josecolorado.com [2021]
how much do bayern munich basketball players make?
In 2019, it was reported by French Magazine, Basket le Mag, that Bayern Munich had the 8th largest budget in the entire EuroLeague - the world’s highest competition of basketball outside the NBA - at roughly €20 - 23 Million Euros ($23 - 26 Million USD).
🔴🏀EXCLUSIF EUROLEAGUE🏀🔴
— Basket le Mag (@basketlemag) January 8, 2019
👉By crossing many sources, we were able to estimate the budgets and payrolls of the Euroleague clubs this season.
👉Average budget : 20,8 M€
👉Average payroll : 12,6 M€
👉More details : https://t.co/XNQbDpkEfT pic.twitter.com/wmjAmUOUdA
Perhaps unsurprisingly, that same year the club signed its highest profile player in team history in nine-year NBA veteran Greg Monroe.
According to reports, "Moose” made $1 million USD after clearing performance-based incentives and bonuses.
Alba Berlin forward Luke Sigma is amongst the highest-paid players currently in the BBL at an alleged €400,000 - €500,000 per year according to insiders.
Overall, one should expect the highest salaries in the Basketball Bundesliga to typically be landing with Bayern just based on its operation budget alone.
Greg Monroe was paid one of the highest salaries in the Basketball Bundesliga by Bayern Munich.
Germany pro a basketball salaries
|
Team budget requirement: |
$695,000 USD (€600,000) |
|
Player Salary Ranges: |
$1,000 – $10,500 USD/per month |
|
Most Commonly Reported Salary (Imports): |
$1,700 - $2,900 USD/mth |
|
Lowest Reported Salary: |
$1,000 USD/mth |
|
MAX Salary: |
$10,500 USD/mth |
|
Sources Referenced [Players, Media, Coaches, Agents]: |
12 |
Source : Josecolorado.com, Professional Basketball Players Survey Data [2021]
Much like the other top European professional basketball leagues, there is a huge drop-off from the first level of German professional basketball to the next.
When playing the Germany Pro A league, overseas basketball players can typically expect between €1,500 - €2,500 per month ($1,740 - $2,900 USD/per month).
Based on player feedback, MAX salaries top out at roughly €7,000 - €9,000 per month ($8,130 - $10,500 USD).
The good news is the European season runs for 8-9 months straight.
So a MAX Pro A player could expect somewhere between €63,000 - €81,000 ($73,000 - $94,000 USD).
That’s a nice chunk of change.
But in the grand scheme of things, it ultimately falls below what even the average foreigner would make in the BBL.
The steep decline in salaries shouldn’t come as a complete surprise however.
Just consider:
In Germany’s Pro A league each team is only required to have a €600,000 ($695,000 USD) budget in order to operate in the league.
That’s 5x less than what is obligated to operate in the division above, the Basketball Bundesliga.
Naturally then, salaries will suffer.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean the game atmosphere does.
These matches can still get wild.
See it for yourself below.
German Pro A basketball teams operate on a €600,000 team budget but games are still very competitive.
Other unique requirements of Germany’s Pro A Basketball League:
|
German Pro A Basketball |
|
|
Imports allowed |
2 on the court (no limit per roster) |
|
Required arena capacity |
1,500+ |
|
Teams promoted |
2 |
|
Teams relegated |
2 |
|
Flooring |
Parquet floor required |
Chart: Josecolorado.com [2021]
So while salaries may be smaller in Pro A it is still a highly respected league.
Anyone fortunate enough to get into this division has the potential to make some serious coin whether being promoted to the BBL or elsewhere in Europe.
It also offers an unlimited amount of import spots - although only two can be on the court at the same time.
So you’ll have to earn every minute in this league.
Germany Pro B Basketball salaries
|
Team budget requirement: |
$348,000 USD (€300,000) |
|
Player Salary Ranges: |
$800 – $4,600 USD/per month |
|
Most Commonly Reported Salary (Imports): |
$1,600 - $2,300 USD/mth |
|
Lowest Reported Salary: |
$800 USD/mth |
|
MAX Salary: |
$4,600 USD/mth |
Source : Josecolorado.com, Professional Basketball Players Survey Data [2021]
Germany’s Pro B Basketball League (third division) requires each team to operate on a €300K team budget ($348K USD) to register in the league.
Beyond that, player salaries typically end up in the €1k - €2k/per month ($1,600 - $2,300) range with MAX salaries going for €3k - €4K/per month ($3,400 - $4.600 USD).
Many players also noted that living expenses such as rent, WIFI and transportation (car) were also covered.
The most common exception was food with multiple hoopers being responsible for covering their own meals.
So that would eat a bit into your take-home pay.
With 24 teams in Pro B, the league is split up into a North and South division.
Come playoff time, the 1st of South plays against the 8th of North in a cross-over format.
Then it’s the 2nd of South vs. 7th in North etc.
The top two teams of the playoffs are promoted to Pro A.
Meanwhile the teams that finished between 9 - 12 in the regular season play in a play-down series with the bottom two teams in both divisions being relegated to Regionalliga.
|
German Pro B Basketball League |
|
|
Imports allowed |
2 (1 Euro + 1 regular import) |
|
Required arena capacity |
500+ |
|
Teams promoted |
2 |
|
Teams relegated |
4 |
Chart: Josecolorado.com [2021]
Germany Regionalliga Basketball salaries
|
Player Salary Ranges: |
$200 - $3,500 USD/per month |
|
Most Commonly Reported Salary (Imports): |
$700 - $1,300 USD/mth |
|
Lowest Reported Salary: |
$200 USD/mth |
|
MAX Salary: |
$3,500 USD/mth |
Source : Josecolorado.com, Professional Basketball Players Survey Data [2021]
The average salary in the Regionalliga will fall between $700 - $1,000 USD/per month but some teams in Regionalliga 1 who are vying for promotion to Pro B will pay their players as high as $3,000 USD/per month players say.
The Regionalliga is split into two levels:
With 180+ teams combined in the two divisions, the Regionalliga offers one of the best starter league options in the world for overseas basketball players.
Just don’t expect to get rich.
While RL1 teams are much more likely to be paying the majority of its players, that isn’t always the case in RL 2.
Remember:
Many of these RL2 clubs are just fresh out of the semi-professional ranks (Oberliga - 5th division - and lower).
So that means multiple teams simply won’t have the budget or sponsors in place yet to completely professionalize their clubs.
For instance:
I spoke with one import on a lower-end RL2 team and he told me he was making €450.00/per month through a side job provided by the team (more on this in a sec).
No one else on the team was getting paid.
But then there is the other end of the spectrum.
RL1 teams that are serious about advancing to Pro B will usually have the necessary budget in place already to do so.
For example:
I have it on good authority that prior to SBB Baskets Wolmirstedt being promoted to Pro B a few seasons ago, they were already operating on a €400,000 budget in RL1.
Remember:
The minimum operating cost for a Pro B team is €300,000 so that means SBB Baskets was already above the Pro B threshold while still playing in RL1.
In other words:
There is a huge difference in budgets when it comes to the Regionalliga.
It all depends on the team and its ambitions.
Some are content in developing young players with minimal costs.
Others are in do-or-die mode.
Regardless, it is still a great opportunity for advancement, getting your foot in the door and making a name for yourself.
Just make sure you prepare yourself physically.
The playing conditions are not great for the body.
lower division GERMAN PROFESSIONAL basketball LEAGUES
Below Germany’s Regionalliga 2, it is very rare for players to get paid.
But it is possible!
In fact:
I am a living example.
As I’m writing this I’m currently playing in the Landesliga (7th division) and getting paid surprisingly well considering the level.
Subscribe to my YouTube channel for the complete salary and contract breakdown.
Overseas German basketball teams in the lower divisions will occasionally bring in a paid foreign-born player.
But again:
This is very rare.
Currently only one other team in Landesliga has imports (two Americans) who are getting paid.
Outside of that, these lower divisions will be made up of:
University players
Younger guys (18-21) looking to move up the ranks
Older players out of their prime but still looking to play on a competitive team
Think of it as more of a men’s league than anything else.
Practices are sparse.
Intensity isn’t the greatest.
It’s not professional in that sense.
With that being said:
Teams will pay a foreigner if they are desperate enough to advance to the next division.
Better yet:
Alongside paying for all the foreigner’s amenities (flight, housing, transportation, WIFI, washer/dryer etc.) - which they typically do, many teams will also try to hook you up with a side job to offset their lower salaries.
Some examples may include:
Basketball academy coaching (I did this)
English tutoring
Graphic design/social media for the team
Factory job (I was offered this but I declined)
…etc.
With Germany having such a high-powered economy, often times teams will get creative in how to attract import players in these lower-end levels.
German overseas basketball teams will get creative in paying basketball salaries to foreign players. Many pro clubs will provide a side job to offset a potentially lower salary.
The greatest benefit of starting in a lower-level team in the European system?
The ability to advance to the next division alongside that club via Europe’s league promotion system.
Then as the team climbs the divisions, so does your sponsorships, fanbase, player salaries etc.
This is a great way to ‘hack’ the system so to speak.
Eventually you could play in the league you always wanted to (e.g. BBL) after a few years of hard work.
Then more eyeballs can be on you and more opportunities and competitions could arise.
But obviously this is harder said than done.
You must first win your division for this to work - no easy task!
CONCLUSION
So there you have it.
The most comprehensive guide on German professional basketball salaries on the internet.
Whether looking at the German Basketball Bundesliga (BBL), Pro A, Pro B, Regionalliga or the lower divisions, you’re now set.
And with a well-powered economy there are also creative ways to make some nice side cash for overseas basketball players playing in this basketball powerhouse.
Did I miss anything?
What’s your thoughts on German pro basketball?
Drop a comment below!
Jose Colorado is a 6-year professional basketball player helping others achieve their dreams of pro basketball with a proven and tested approach to overseas basketball.
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