Nigerian Afrobeats singer Daniel Benson, popularly known as BNXN, has weighed in on the long-running debate over whether musicians or professional athletes earn more, arguing that top basketball players significantly out-earn most music stars.
The ‘Outside’ crooner shared his opinion during a recent livestream with streamer Ojo, where he discussed wealth in the entertainment and sports industries.
According to BNXN, while successful musicians can build impressive fortunes, athletes, particularly players in the National Basketball Association (NBA), operate on a completely different financial level.
Drawing from his personal relationships with several NBA players, the singer said he has seen firsthand the scale of their earnings and believes many Nigerian artists cannot match their financial status.
“I am friends with a few NBA players. These guys have so much money. Nigerian artists don’t even have as much money as them,” he said.
BNXN described NBA players as “insanely rich”, noting that the salaries and endorsement opportunities available in the league far exceed what most Afrobeats stars earn.
To illustrate his point, he referenced Jaylen Brown, one of the NBA’s highest-paid players, saying athletes of his calibre command extraordinary wealth.
“NBA players are insanely rich. A player of Jaylen Brown’s calibre has so much money. Afrobeats are not close to athletes in terms of earnings,” he added.
His comments contribute to an ongoing conversation about the earning potential of musicians compared to elite athletes.
In recent months, several Nigerian entertainers have offered differing opinions on the subject.
Some have argued that footballers enjoy more stable and predictable incomes because they receive guaranteed salaries under long-term contracts, unlike musicians whose earnings often fluctuate depending on album releases, tours and endorsement deals.
Others have maintained that globally successful musicians can rival the wealth of top athletes through multiple revenue streams, including music royalties, publishing rights, touring, merchandising and business investments.
BNXN, however, believes the financial gap remains substantial, particularly when comparing Nigerian artists with athletes competing in major American sports leagues.
The NBA is widely regarded as one of the world’s most lucrative professional sports leagues, with many players earning tens of millions of dollars annually through salaries alone, in addition to endorsement deals and commercial partnerships.
Top players also benefit from long-term contracts that provide financial security regardless of fluctuations in popularity.
By contrast, musicians often rely on streaming revenue, live performances, endorsements and licensing agreements, income sources that can vary significantly depending on market trends and commercial success.
BNXN’s remarks have generated mixed reactions online.
While many fans agreed that elite athletes, especially in the NBA, generally earn more than most musicians, others pointed out that global music superstars have built billion-dollar empires through investments and ownership of their creative works.
Some also noted that comparisons between the two professions can be misleading because career structures, earning models and longevity differ considerably.
BNXN has steadily established himself as one of Nigeria’s leading Afrobeats artists, earning acclaim for his songwriting and vocal performances on hit songs and collaborations.
Known for speaking candidly during interviews and livestreams, the singer’s latest comments have once again sparked debate among fans about the financial realities of success in sports and entertainment.
Although opinions remain divided, BNXN maintains that when it comes to earnings, particularly at the highest level, NBA players remain in a financial league of their own.
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