How Yao Ming Became One of the Richest and Most Influential Athletes in the World

Yao Ming is a former professional basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He played for the Houston Rockets in the NBA for nine seasons and was an eight-time All-Star. He also represented China in the Olympic Games and the FIBA World Championship, winning a silver medal in 2004. Yao Ming is currently the president of the Chinese Basketball Association and the owner of the Shanghai Sharks, the team he played for before joining the NBA. He is also involved in various charitable and business ventures, both in China and the USA.

In this article, we will explore Yao Ming’s salary, net worth, earning career, education, partner, parents, family, age, and lifestyle. We will also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Yao Ming.

Yao Ming’s Salary and Net Worth 2023

Yao Ming’s net worth is estimated to be around $180 million as of 2023. He is one of the highest-paid NBA players who came from China. Yao Ming had a very successful basketball career in the NBA, earning roughly $93 million in salary alone. His salary continued to grow since his first season, reaching $17.6 million in his final season in 2010-11.

Yao Ming also earned a lot of money from his endorsement deals with various brands, such as McDonald’s, Visa, Garmin, Reebok, and Apple. He was one of the most popular and marketable athletes in the world, especially in China, where he had a huge fan base. His endorsement earnings were estimated to be around $34.37 million in 2009.

Yao Ming continues to earn money from his business ventures and investments, such as owning the Shanghai Sharks, launching his own wine brand, and partnering with a Chinese e-commerce platform. He is also a philanthropist who supports various causes, such as wildlife conservation, education, and disaster relief. He has his own foundation, the Yao Ming Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of children in China and the USA.

Yao Ming’s Earning Career

Yao Ming started his basketball career at a young age, joining the Shanghai Sharks youth team when he was 13 years old. He became the star player of the senior team when he was 17, leading them to the CBA championship in 2002. He also played for the Chinese national team, making his debut in 1998. He helped China qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time in 2000 and won a silver medal in 2004. He also led China to a fifth-place finish in the 2002 FIBA World Championship, the best result for the country at that time.

Yao Ming entered the NBA draft in 2002 and was selected by the Houston Rockets as the first overall pick. He became the first player from outside of the USA to lead the NBA in All-Star voting. He was a dominant center who could score, rebound, block, and shoot. He averaged 19 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game in his NBA career. He was an eight-time All-Star, a five-time All-NBA team member, and the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2003. He led the Rockets to the playoffs five times, reaching the second round in 2009. He also played with and against some of the best players in the league, such as Tracy McGrady, Steve Francis, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Tim Duncan.

Yao Ming retired from the NBA in 2011 due to a series of foot and ankle injuries that limited his playing time. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016, along with Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson. He is widely considered as one of the greatest players of all time and one of the most influential figures in the history of basketball.

Yao Ming’s Education

Yao Ming received his primary and secondary education in Shanghai, China. He attended Xuhui High School and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He also studied English at the University of Houston during his NBA career. He graduated from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2011 with a degree in economics. He also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Hong Kong in 2017.

Yao Ming’s Partner

Yao Ming is married to Ye Li, a former Chinese basketball player who played for the Chinese national team and the Shanghai Octopus in the WCBA. They met when they were both 17 years old and started dating in 2002. They got married in 2007 in a private ceremony in Shanghai. They have one daughter, Yao Qinlei, who was born in 2010. She is also very tall, standing at 6 feet 4 inches at the age of 11.

Yao Ming’s Parents and Family

Yao Ming was born on September 12, 1980, in Shanghai, China. He is the only child of his parents, Yao Zhiyuan and Fang Fengdi, who are both former basketball players. His father, Yao Zhiyuan, played for the Shanghai Sharks and the Chinese national team, standing at 6 feet 7 inches. His mother, Fang Fengdi, played for the Chinese national team and won the Asian Championship in 1976, standing at 6 feet 3 inches. They are both very supportive of Yao Ming’s basketball career and often attend his games.

Yao Ming also has a cousin, Yao Mingjun, who is also a basketball player. He played for the Shanghai Sharks and the Chinese national team, standing at 6 feet 9 inches. He retired from basketball in 2012 and became a coach.

Yao Ming’s Age and Lifestyle

Yao Ming is currently 43 years old, as of 2023. He lives in Shanghai, China, with his wife and daughter. He is the president of the Chinese Basketball Association and the owner of the Shanghai Sharks. He is also involved in various business and charitable activities, such as launching his own wine brand, Yao Family Wines, partnering with a Chinese e-commerce platform, Tmall, and supporting wildlife conservation, education, and disaster relief through his foundation, the Yao Ming Foundation. He is also an ambassador for the Special Olympics and the Laureus World Sports Academy. He enjoys playing golf, reading, and spending time with his family.

Conclusion

Yao Ming is a legendary basketball player who has achieved great success and fame in his career. He is one of the best players of all time and one of the most influential figures in the history of basketball. He is also a successful businessman, a philanthropist, and a family man. He has a net worth of $180 million, a degree in economics, a happy marriage, and a lovely daughter. He is an inspiration to many people around the world, especially in China, where he is a national hero and a cultural icon.

Most Asked Questions and Answers about Yao Ming

How tall is Yao Ming?

Yao Ming is 7 feet 6 inches tall, or 2.29 meters. He is one of the tallest players in NBA history and the tallest active player in the world.

How much does Yao Ming weigh?

Yao Ming weighs 310 pounds, or 141 kilograms. He is one of the heaviest players in NBA history and the heaviest active player in the world.

How old is Yao Ming?

Yao Ming is 43 years old, as of 2023. He was born on September 12, 1980, in Shanghai, China.

Who is Yao Ming’s wife?

Yao Ming’s wife is Ye Li, a former Chinese basketball player who played for the Chinese national team and the Shanghai Octopus in the WCBA. They met when they were both 17 years old and started dating in 2002. They got married in 2007 in a private ceremony in Shanghai.

Does Yao Ming have a child?

Yao Ming has one child, a daughter named Yao Qinlei, who was born in 2010. She is also very tall, standing at 6 feet 4 inches at the age of 11.

What is Yao Ming’s nationality?

Yao Ming is Chinese. He was born and raised in Shanghai, China. He also holds a Chinese passport and a green card in the USA.

What is Yao Ming’s shoe size?

Yao Ming’s shoe size is 18 US, or 52 EU. He has one of the largest shoe sizes in NBA history and the largest shoe size in the world.

What is Yao Ming’s jersey number? Yao Ming’s jersey number is 11. He wore this number throughout his basketball career, both in the NBA and in the CBA. He also wore this number for the Chinese national team.

What is Yao Ming’s zodiac sign?

Yao Ming’s zodiac sign is Virgo. He was born on September 12, 1980, which falls under the Virgo sign in the Western astrology. Virgos are known for being analytical, hardworking, loyal, and modest.

What is Yao Ming’s IQ?

Yao Ming’s IQ is not publicly known, but he is widely regarded as a very intelligent and well-educated person. He graduated from Shanghai Jiao Tong University with a degree in economics and speaks fluent English and Mandarin. He also has a keen interest in reading, golf, and chess.