Phil Jackson, a retired NBA player and legendary coach, has accumulated a net worth of $70 million as of 2026. He is best recognized for his coaching achievements rather than his playing career.
Phil Jackson, a former NBA player, coach, and executive, holds a net worth of $70 million in 2026. Though he had a distinguished 12-season career as a power forward, he is primarily celebrated for his coaching legacy. Jackson has been inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame and was ranked among the top ten basketball coaches in history. Born on September 17, 1945, in Montana, Jackson grew up in a deeply religious household where both of his parents served as ministers in the Assemblies of God. The family included two brothers and a half-sister, and strict rules prohibited watching television or dancing. Initially, Jackson aspired to follow in his parents' footsteps and become a minister. Basketball became a significant part of Jackson's life during high school when he joined his school team and helped them secure the state championship. The sport provided him with an opportunity to interact with peers, as it was one of the few activities allowed in his upbringing. Besides basketball, Jackson also participated in football and baseball, showcasing talent across multiple sports. His versatility caught the attention of professional scouts in both basketball and baseball. After finishing high school, Jackson was recruited to play basketball at the University of North Dakota under the guidance of coach Bill Fitch. His time there was formative, shaping his understanding of the game and influencing his future career as both a player and coach. Jackson began his professional playing career in 1967 when the New York Knicks selected him in the draft. While he earned respect for his dedication, he spent most of his time on the bench. However, he was part of the Knicks squad that claimed the NBA championship in 1973. Following the title win, several key players retired, allowing Jackson to step into the starting lineup for the first time. He continued playing until 1978, when he spent two seasons with the New Jersey Jets before retiring from basketball in 1980. Jackson swiftly transitioned into coaching, starting in Puerto Rico's professional basketball league. His NBA coaching career began in 1987 when he was hired as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls. Two years later, he was promoted to head coach. Jackson became a strong advocate for Tex Winter's triangle offense, which proved highly effective. Under his leadership, the Bulls won six championships, including two separate three-year championship dynasties. Tensions between Jackson and Chicago Bulls' general manager Jerry Krause grew over time. Some speculate Krause felt overshadowed by Jackson, especially since the GM had built the championship-winning team. In 1997-1998, Jackson signed a contract with the understanding that he would not be rehired. After the season, he left the Bulls, declaring he would never coach again. However, Jackson reconsidered and took the helm of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1999, leading them to a championship in his first season. Over the next few years, he guided the team to two more titles. After a 2004 loss in the finals to the Detroit Pistons, Jackson demanded his salary be doubled from $6 million to $12 million. Though an agreement seemed possible, he ultimately did not renew his contract with the Lakers, announcing his departure. Jackson briefly left the Lakers in 2004 but returned in 2005 when his replacement became unable to continue due to health issues. Despite a rocky start, Jackson steered the team to a championship in 2009 and repeated the feat in 2010, giving him an eleventh championship title. His coaching career ended in 2011 after a prostate cancer diagnosis prompted him to delay surgery and complete one final season. Jackson aligned himself with the counterculture movements of the 1960s and 1970s. He has openly discussed using LSD, marijuana, and other substances. While he advocates against incarceration for marijuana use, he also criticizes certain legalization efforts, arguing that the laws are often poorly crafted. During his nine-year coaching tenure with the Bulls, during which he secured six championships, Jackson earned a total of $9 million. After departing the Bulls, he took a short break before returning to the NBA in June 1999 with a five-year, $30 million contract with the Lakers. As President of the New York Knicks, Jackson earned $11 million annually before parting ways with the organization in June 2017. In just over three years with the Knicks, he accumulated $60 million in earnings. When Jackson moved to Los Angeles in 1999, he purchased a $1.8 million ocean-view home in Marina Del Rey, California. In 2014, the same year he signed a $60 million deal to become the Knicks' President, Jackson bought a Manhattan apartment for $4.85 million. He listed the property for sale in 2017 at $5 million and successfully sold it at the asking price in January 2018. For more than four decades, Jackson has owned a lakeside property in Montana, which has long served as his summer retreat. In 1973, he acquired the land using the bonus money from that year’s Knicks championship win. A modest cabin originally stood on the property, but Jackson later constructed a much larger home that serves as his primary residence today.