http://forbes.com/home_asia/services/2005/03/10/cz_rf_0310chinacelebs.html Once again, Yao Ming tops the Chinese Celebrity List. http://www.forbeschina.com/celebs/chinacelebs.asp He made 150 million yuan, or $18 million and change at current exchange rates. So his basketball income ($4,436,880 for 2004-5 season) amounts to less than 25% of the total. This is pre-tax(Uncle Sam and the Chinese Gov), but it's safe to assume that he nets at least 55% net(according to my brother, a Chartered Accountant who works for E&Y China) or $10 million. If he has invested shrewedly, a million or two more. As long as he plays well, the endorsement money will follow him. The implication is that he can play where he wants to. As has been mentioned on this board, he has the option of taking less than max contract money and feed his family.
So he could play anywhere, what's the point? So can any other superstar free agent. I don't recall a lot of people speculating that Michael Jordan was going to play anywhere but Chicago during his prime, and he was pulling down more than Yao in terms of endorsements.
