But Sanderson’s story didn’t end in financial tragedy. After hitting bottom in the late 1970s, he managed to pull himself up. He sobered up, got married and had two sons. He lectured about drug and alcohol awareness in schools and worked as a broadcaster in Boston.
How much money did Derek Sanderson make?
In the summer of 1972, Sanderson signed what was then the richest contract in professional sports history. The Philadelphia Blazers of the new World Hockey Association signed Sanderson to a five-year, $2.65 million contract that made him the highest-paid pro athlete in the world at the time.
How old is Derek Sanderson?
76 years (June 16, 1946)
Derek Sanderson / Age
Who was the highest-paid athlete in 1972?
When it comes to athletes and their spending habits, Derek Sanderson is at the top of the list of cautionary tales. In 1972, Sanderson left the Boston Bruins to become the highest-paid athlete in the world when he signed a $2.65 million contract with the now-defunct Philadelphia Blazers.
Does Derek Sanderson have any children? – Related Questions
Who was the first millionaire athlete?
He was the first athlete to earn a million dollars and set the gold standard of his sport for more than a decade. He was John L. Sullivan, the bare-knuckle boxer and America’s first sports superstar.
Who was the first professional athlete to make $1000000?
1970’s: The million dollar contract
At the time the sum was considered absurd. However, it was soon superseded by baseball player Dave Parker, who in 1978 signed a 5-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates for $5 million, making him the first professional athlete to earn $1 million per year.
What was the most popular sport in 1972?
Americans named baseball as the most popular sport in 1948 and 1960, but football claimed the top spot in 1972 and has been the public’s favorite ever since.
What happened in the sports world in 1972?
The major events of this year in sport were the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. The Olympic Games were to be remembered not for the events on the sporting field, but for the eleven Israeli Olympic team members which were taken hostage and ultimately murdered by an Arab terrorist cell, “Black September”.
Why was the 1972 Olympics so important?
The Olympic security changed forever as a result of the tragic events of 1972’s Summer Olympic Games in Munich, Germany. On September 5, 1972, eight Palestinian terrorists broken into the apartments of the Olympic Village housing, of the Israeli athletes, and took nine hostages.
How much did NBA players make in the 70s?
Similar to the early days, not much is documented about salaries in the 1970s. However, at least one pundit considers it to be an era in which the “economics of pro basketball exploded.” In 1972, the avg NBA player salary was $90,000 ($500K in today’s $). Today, the rookie minimum is $490K.
What is the lowest NBA salary ever?
As things stand, the dubious honor of lowest paid player in the league is held by Ishmail Wainright of the Phoenix Suns, who earns a grand total of $633,891. In case you’re wondering how that measures up to the highest paid player in the league, Steph Curry earns $48,070,014 a year, so you do the math.
Does NBA give retirement money?
Current NBA players have an excellent pension plan and are vested into it after three seasons in the league. The NBA matches the 401(k) contributions of players up to 140%. Retired players can receive anywhere from $56,998 per year to $195,000 per year depending on their years of service, according to SportsCasting.