Though the athletes at Overtime take high school-level classes and compete against high school basketball teams, they also earn a minimum of $100,000 a year from the academy. With on-court performance bonuses factored in, a star performer at Overtime could potentially earn more than $1 million, Huddleston reports.
The league kicked off its first season last year, and has millions of followers watching basketball highlights from its players on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Overtime also brings in revenue from streaming, merchandise sales and sponsors, the company told Make It.
Warren, who ESPN ranked as the 14th-best high school player in the U.S., said that he rejected offers from college programs including Kansas, Georgetown and Oklahoma in favor of Overtime. After he graduates, he hopes to go directly into the NBA.
"Not too many 17-, 18-, 19-year-olds can say they made at least $100,000," Warren said. "We're just really getting a head start on life, just playing the game we love."
Since starting at Overtime in September, his life now consists of 6:15 a.m. wake-up calls for early morning workouts and basketball practice before class in the afternoon. Part of Overtime's academic curriculum is a class on financial literacy, where Warren and other athletes learn about signing professional contracts and dealing with agents and advisors.
"They're teaching us who to have in your circle [of friends and family] and stuff, just keeping your circle small," Warren said. "[Six-time NBA All-Star] Tony Parker came in and talked to us [and] he told us it's not about who you say 'Yes' to, it's who you say 'No' to."
In addition to receiving a salary, players like Warren have their food, lodging and transportation costs covered. If an Overtime player decided not to pursue pro basketball, they are also offered $100,000 toward college tuition.
Read more about the Overtime Elite program in Huddleston's full story.
