Bolivia Basketball League: Libobasquet Salaries [Players Survey - 2021]
Bolivia libobasquet player salaries summary:
|
Monthly Salary Ranges: |
$1,000 - $6,000USD |
|
Most Commonly Reported Monthly Salary: |
$1,200 - $1,400USD (36.36%) |
|
Lowest Monthly Salary Reported: |
$1,000 – 1,100USD (18.18%) |
|
MAX Salary: |
$6,000USD (9%) |
|
Libobasquet Import Players Surveyed: |
11 |
Source : Josecolorado.com, Professional Basketball Players Survey Data [2021]
As the top professional basketball league in Bolivia, Libobasquet’s monthly basketball salaries range from approximately 1K - 6K with over half of the reported wages falling between $1,200 - $1,600USD (55%).
Salaries can reach as high as 6K/month but Libobasquet insiders are in agreement the higher-end wages seem to be reserved for a select few clubs.
Based on our player survey that looked at over 100 professional league salaries worldwide:
Bolivia appears to fit into the middle-tier of basketball wages in South American professional basketball.
Bolivia's Libobasquet Monthly salaries (Player Survey Results)
Bolivia basketbal league salaries: libobasquet wages
Since coming into existence in 2014, Bolivia’s Libobasquet’s basketball salaries for foreigners/imports has remained relatively stable but the true progression in basketball wages has occurred in local Bolivian players as their pay cheques have increased significantly.
In fact:
Bolivian Basketball Federation President Marco Arze Mendoza, estimated in 2015 there were roughly 4-5 Bolivians earning 1KUSD/per month according to the Bolivian Express.
Fast forward to 2021:
It is not uncommon for Bolivians (usually national team members) on the top-ranked club teams to be making $2,500USD/month according to one long-time Libobasquet coach.
However:
It should be noted that those higher-end salaries for nationals seem to be limited to a select few teams, most notably in the city of Potosi:
Can Potosi
Pichincha de Potosi
Calero de Potosi
CAN de Oruro (exception: different city)
The best-paying basketball salaries In Bolivia’s Libobasquet league are mainly located in Potosi according to players.
When it comes to foreigners/imports in Bolivia’s Libobasquet, salaries have MAXED out at a higher level with one player reporting as high as 6K/month.
But this seems to be the exception rather than the rule:
Our player surveyed concluded the most commonly reported import/foreigner salary in Libobasquet comes in at $1,200 - $1,400USD/per month (36.36%).
But when looking at the bigger picture, 55% of players overall earn between $1,200 - $1,600USD/per month.
And when I went through previous media reports published on Bolivian basketball, this appears to remain relatively unchanged over time as Roads & Kingdoms (2015) and Bolivian Express (2016) both pegged foreigner wages at approximately $1,200USD/month.
Regardless:
As a whole, wages have increased.
And all of this can be accredited to greater fan interest.
Moments such as that in 2016 when the Bolivian Senior Men’s National Team snapped a reported 27-year drought to South American opponents at the FIBA South American Championships can only heighten basketball’s popularity.
And the Bolivian Federation seems to be taking notice.
Moves like these obviously incentivize:
Sponsorships
Businesses
Financial aid backers
Partnerships
…and much more.
But Libobasquet and Bolivia as a whole are not without its complications.
Playing on (a.) concrete (b.) cement and (c.) crooked rims is nothing new in Latin American.
But Bolivian playing conditions seems to be on the next level of difficulty.
(Side note: The video below is an example of the courts/playing conditions if interested. From personally playing in Latin America, I always recommend players to come prepared for these courts with high-impact shoes, cushioned socks and a foam roller or your body/knees will take a serious beating.)
In fact:
Multiple players reported altitude sickness as a serious concern in Bolivian pro ball as certain locations can reach as high as +13,000 feet - some of the highest city elevations in the ENTIRE WORLD.
Photo credit: Roads & Kingdoms
Another issue is the climate itself.
Because some pro clubs in Libobasquet are so high up and there is little gym heating/thermal regulation, there is a serious warming problem in many gyms.
As in, it is freezing cold.
Apparently:
This has led to some teams serving hot tea on the bench just so players could keep warm.
And with Libobasquet only allowing 2 of 3 imports on the court at the same time, the possibility of coming in cold, disoriented and with an increased chance of injury are definitely elevated.
There are no excuses.
So this is something you’ll have to seriously consider:
“Does the money offered in Libobasquet outweigh the potential health risks?
That is something only you can determine for yourself and your career.
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY PLAYING IN libobasquet in bolivia
With the Libobasquet season running approximately from Mid-June - Mid-September, the average import/foreign-born player would make approximately $3,900USD/per year if he were to play only in Bolivia.
Here’s the math breakdown:
Take the most commonly reported monthly salary range ($1,200 - $1,400USD/month)
Pinpoint the middle of that range ($1,300USD)
Multiply $1,300USDx3 (number of months played)
Total amount = $3,900USD
Unfortunately:
When it comes to Bolivia - ranked No.117 in the world - that will really be the only money you’ll be taking home.
The powerhouses of the region, meaning:
Argentina (No.4 in the world)
Brazil (No.10)
Chile (No.68)
Uruguay (No.43)
Venezuela (No.20)
…almost always will occupy the larger level club events (i.e. Basketball Champions League Americas).
So an import can enjoy the Libobasquet season but don’t too expect any coin after that or to potentially leap-frog to the higher-paying leagues of South America.
bolivia basketball SALARY RANKING IN south america
Bolivia ranks in the second or middle-tier wages in South American professional basketball leagues with some noticeable financial differences reported between them and countries such as Chile, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.
South American Basketball salaries (Max + average)
Libobasquet then is a great beginning point to potentially springboard to these other leagues with similar:
Salaries
Competition levels (Colombia is by highest-ranked at No.67)
Playing environments
That last point can’t be stressed enough.
Just think about:
If you can thrive playing in Bolivia’s high altitudes then that is the absolute BEST endorsement for you potentially landing in a similarly elevated league (i.e. Peru or Ecuador).
And when you consider some of these second-tier South American leagues actually run in different time frames of the year, then your opportunity to earn consistent money goes up considerably.
CONCLUSION
So there you have it.
Bolivia’s Libobasquet is a professional basketball league that has taken the right steps forward since its creation in 2014 - increasing its player wages alongside its basketball infrastructure.
But it is not without its complications from both a logistical and health standpoint.
Both are factors all pro players must consider before accepting a contract offer to Libobasquet Bolivia.
Have you ever played in Bolivia’s Libobasquet basketball league?
How was your experience?
Let me know in the comments below!
Jose Colorado is a five-year professional basketball player helping others achieve their goals of pro basketball through a proven, research-based approach.
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