Larry Bird’s Net Worth: How the NBA Legend Made His Fortune

With nicknames like “Larry Legend,” the Great White Hope,” and “the Hick from French Lick,” retired American basketball player Larry Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Known for his iconic pure shot and leading the Boston Celtics to three National Basketball Association (NBA) championships in the 1980s, Larry’s successful basketball career has given him an impressive net worth. 

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about Larry’s net worth, career, personal life, and how he earned his fortune. 

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What is Larry Bird's net worth?

According to various sources, Larry Bird’s net worth is an estimated $75 million. 

Who is Larry Bird?

Larry Joe Bird is a retired American professional basketball player, coach, and executive for the National Basketball Association (NBA). He rose to fame and fortune in the 1980s as a player for the Boston Celtics from 1979 to 1992. Known as one of the greatest pure shooters of all time, Larry led the Celtics to three NBA championships in 1981, 1984, and 1986.

Larry was raised in French Lick, Indiana, which is where he got one of his nicknames, "The Hick from French Lick." He and his four siblings were raised by their mother, who worked two jobs to support them. His parents divorced when Larry was in high school, and his father committed suicide about a year later. Larry turned to the game of basketball to escape his family’s struggles. He was the star player of Springs Valley High school.

Although Larry received a basketball scholarship from Indiana University upon his high school graduation in 1974, he dropped out less than a month after he arrived on campus - before basketball practice even started. In 1975, he decided to give it another shot, enrolling at Indiana State University. 

This time, Larry had significant success, playing for the Indiana State Sycamores. He revived the basketball program, leading them to a 33-1 record during his senior season. Their only loss came during the 1979 NCAA championship game when they lost to Michigan State University, which had another star player, Magic Johnson. The legendary Bird and Magic rivalry continued when the players moved to the NBA. 

Larry was drafted by the Celtics following his junior year at Indiana State University but opted to finish out his final college season before playing in the NBA. 

Professional Basketball Career

Bird signed a five-year $3.25 million contract with the Boston Celtics, making him the highest-paid rookie in NBA history at the time. During Bird's first season playing as a power forward with the Celtics (1979-1980), he won Rookie of the Year. Larry played 13 seasons with the Celtics, leading them to five NBA Finals appearances and three championships. 

Larry was a versatile player who could play inside and outside at both forward positions. He is known for his deadly shooting, uncanny passing, defensive anticipation, and making all the players around him better. 

During his professional NBA career, he was a 12-time NBA All-Star, won the NBA Finals MVP award twice, and received the NBA MVP Award three times. Larry also played for the 1992 United States men’s Olympic basketball team, the “Dream Team,” which won the gold medal. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inducted Larry twice–once as an individual player in 1998 and a second time in 2010 as a “Dream Team” member. Larry was also voted one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and on the 75th Anniversary Team list in 2021. 

Throughout Larry's success on the NBA court, he struggled with severe back pain due to a compressed nerve root. The injury eventually led to his retirement in 1992. 

Professional Coaching Career

Following Larry’s retirement, he remained with the Boston Celtics, working as a special assistant in the front office until 1997, when he joined the Indiana Pacers as head coach. He led the Pacers to the best record in team history and was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1998. His team made it to the 2000 NBA Finals, and he immediately retired from coaching. 

NBA Executive Career

Larry transitioned from coaching to the Pacer’s front office and was named president of basketball operations in 2003. He held the position until he retired in 2012–the same year he was named the NBA Executive of the Year. After a year away, Larry decided to rejoin as president of basketball operations and remained in the role until 2017. He continued with the Pacers organization as a scout and consultant for a few years. As of 2022, he no longer had an active role with the Pacers. 

FAQs

What is Larry Bird's net worth?

Larry Bird’s net worth is estimated at $75 million. 

How did Larry Bird make his fortune?

Larry Bird went from growing up in poverty to becoming a multimillionaire as a player for the Boston Celtics. In his 13 seasons with the Celtics, he earned more than $24 million in salary alone. By the end of his career, he was the highest-paid NBA player when he made $7 million during the 1991-92 season. 

Even after becoming wealthy, Larry never splurged on high-dollars cars or designer clothes. He said, "I really don't need anyone to build my ego…it’s the same with nice cars, Mercedes, and all that. I can't see putting $50,000 or $60,000 into a car when our house growing up was worth $10,000. I just can't buy that…" 

After retiring, Larry continued building his net worth as head coach for the Indiana Pacers and president of basketball operations. 

Other contributors to his $75 million net worth include endorsements for clothing advertisements and video games. Additionally, he trades in real estate and has business deals with Heinz Corporation. 

What were some of Larry Bird's career highlights?

Larry Bird had his fair share of career highlights as a Boston Celtic. Some of his greatest career moments include:

• Left-handed bank shot against the Philadelphia 76ers to take the Celtics to the NBA Finals (1985)
• Winning the 1981 NBA Title - his career-first
• 24 points in the third quarter and 21 of 30 performance from the field in the 1983 game against the Indiana Pacers
• 39 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists for a Game 7 triple-double against the New York Knicks (1984)
• Game-winning fadeaway shot over his arch-rival Magic Johnson to win Game 4 of the NBA Finals (1984)
• 60 points against the Atlanta Hawks (1985)
• Winning first in the 1986 NBA Three-Point Contest
• Receiving the NBA MVP Award three consecutive times in 1984, 1985, and 1986
• 7 left-handed shots against the Portland Trail Blazers (1986)
• 29-points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists to win the 1986 NBA Finals against the Houston Rockets 
• Jumped the passing lane, stealing the ball away from Isiah Thomas, and passed the ball to Dennis Johnson for a winning layup with one second remaining, beating the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals

How did Larry Bird become famous?

Larry Bird rose to fame as a professional American basketball player who led the Boston Celtics to three NBA championships. He dominated the league throughout this 13-season career, winning many awards.

What was Larry Bird's playing career like?

Larry Bird was a sharpshooter who admitted he sometimes practiced his three-point shot with his eyes closed. He was also known for his consistency, hustle, and excellence in all play areas–as a passer, scorer, rebounder, defender, and team player. He worked hard on and off the court and never forced the spotlight on himself. Instead, he focused on making the players around him better. To this day, Larry is considered a top-two small forward of all time. 

What awards and honors did Larry Bird receive?

Larry Bird won more than 20 awards for his college and professional basketball career and has received countless honors. 

Some of his awards and honors include:

• UPI College Basketball Player of the Year (1979)
• Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year (1978, 1979)
• NCAA Division Player of the Year (1979)
• Adolph Rupp Trophy (1979)
• Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year (1979)
• Oscar Robertson Trophy (1979)
• Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year (1979)
• John R. Wooden Award (1979)
• NBA All-Rookie Team (1980)
• NBA Rookie of the Year (1980) 
• NBA All-Star Game MVP Award (1982)
• NBA All-Defensive Team (1984, 1983, 1982)
• Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year (1986)
• NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986)
• NBA Most Valuable Player (1984, 1985, 1986)
• NBA Coach of the Year (1998)
• NBA Executive of the Year (2012)

Larry Bird is the only person in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year, MVP, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year. 

What endorsements did Larry Bird have?

In 1986, Larry signed a 5-year $7 million contract with the Converse shoe franchise, making him the highest-paid player in the NBA at that time. His other endorsement deals included:

• McDonald’s
• Hanes
• Chevrolet
• Nike Air Jordan sneakers
• Simon Property Group

What was Larry Bird's hometown?

Larry was raised in French Lick, Indiana, a small town in the middle of Indiana's corn country. 

What cars did Larry Bird own?

Larry Bird has never been into high-dollar car purchases. However, he reportedly owns a Thunderbird Mustang, a Ford, and a Pacer’s Indy Car. 

Where is Larry Bird's house located?

Larry and his wife, Dinah, live in a home in Naples, Florida, built in 2001. The 6,000-square-foot property features four bedrooms, four bathrooms, fireplace, movie theater, bar, infinity swimming pool, boat dock, and a four-car garage. It overlooks views of Venetian Bay. 

Takeaway

Larry Bird's journey to achieving a $75 million net worth is nothing short of inspiring. He grew up with next to nothing in French Lick, Indiana. But he worked hard to make a name for himself in the NBA, leading to transformational wealth that will impact his family for generations. 

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