NBA test: Portland star earns 10x as much as the entire Ulm team | Sports mix

Historic day for them Basketball player from Ratiopharm Ulm. The surprise champions of 2023 will be the first German team to appear at an NBA club on Thursday night (4 a.m., NBA Game Pass) at the invitation of the Portland Trail Blazers. For the stars it is a preparation game – for the Ulm team it is an evening they will never forget.

“It’s a childhood dream coming true,” says Ulm professional Nelson Weidemann (25) before the party in the gigantic Moda Center (20,000 seats). And boss Thomas Stoll raves on the “X” platform (formerly Twitter): “Our boys will tell their children and grandchildren about it.”

The Trail Blazers (German: pioneers, pioneers) are in the process of rebuilding after mixed years and – just like Ulm – have a young team. Scottie Pippen (59) and Detlef Schrempf (61) used to play for the club, which won the title for the first and only time in 1977. Super stars are currently missing. Former national coach Chris Fleming (54) is one of five assistant coaches. Nevertheless, the players earn handsomely…

Crazy: The Trail Blazers are paying out a $165 million (€151 million) disadvantage to their 15-man roster this season! The top earner is center Deandre Ayton (26). The 2.13 meter man from the Bahamas was transferred to Portland from the Phoenix Suns a year ago as part of a ring swap. His contract guarantees a salary of 34 million dollars (31 million euros) – per season!

This means Ayton alone earns around ten times as much as the entire Ulm team!

The top earners in the BBL squad are Justinian Jessup (26) and Karim Yallow (27), who earn a comparatively modest amount of between 300,000 and 360,000 euros (gross).

Despite the stark salary differences, Weidemann is optimistic: “I don't think we'll get a slap.” “I'm just curious to see to what extent we'll be able to adapt the NBA environment, the rules, the court.”

NBA star meets his idolFootball legend appeared in the stands

At least the accommodation for the people of Ulm is NBA standard. So that the players Considering 25,000 kilometers of travel in 16 days To enjoy the greatest possible comfort, Stoll accommodated his troops in the 5-star hotel “The Nines” – where the away teams are relegated to the NBA.

Ratiopharm Ulm tonight against Portland Trail Blazers – HE earns 10x as much as everyone from Ulm

For Stoll, the experience counts more than the result: “The team from New Zealand was beaten by Philadelphia last week by 55 points.” But I think we will sell well. Even if the larger field, the further away three-point line and the NBA rules are additional difficulties. The main thing is that the boys enjoy it and have fun. It should be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for most. One that very few people in the world have ever experienced.”

And he concludes by saying, “Let’s have some fun!” Let’s have some fun.