Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has become the first-ever active NBA player to become a billionaire. Forbes announced on June 2, 2022, that the basketball star’s net worth had crossed the US$1bn mark.
Michael Jordan, whose reported net worth is US$1.7 billion, reached billionaire status almost a decade after his retirement. Forbes has estimated that James’ earnings last year amounted to US$121.2 million, an amount that was the second-highest for an athlete, behind only Lionel Messi’s US$130 million.
During the course of his 19-year career, James’ salary from the Lakers, the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers has been close to US$400 million, but it’s his off-court earnings that overshadow that amount. Forbes reports that James’ endorsements and business ventures have netted him more than US$900 million.
James’ first-ever sponsorship deal was in 2003 with Nike, after he turned down Adidas and Reebok. His other investments include entertainment group SpringHill, of which he sold a minority stake for US$725 million. He has a 1% stake in Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Liverpool Football Club. He has also invested in Blaze Pizza, Beachbody, ride-sharing company Lyft and fitness startup Tonal. James also has lucrative sponsorship deals with the likes of PepsiCo and Walmart among others.
James’ real-estate portfolio is reported to be worth around US$80 million and includes his two houses in Los Angeles and a home in his native Akron in Ohio.
In an interview with GQ in 2014, James had mentioned how becoming a billionaire would be one of his greatest achievements.
Speaking about the prospective milestone, James had stated at the time:
“It’s my biggest milestone, obviously. I want to maximise my business. And if I happen to get it, if I happen to be a billion-dollar athlete, ho. Hip hip hooray! Oh, my God, I’m gonna be excited.“
The two-time Olympic gold medal winner and four-time NBA champion has his path set for his days after his retirement. Even once he’s done playing, James is sure to be making a good amount regularly thanks to his strategic investments over the years.
Here, we present our preview and predictions for Match 57 of the 2026 IPL season,…
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has announced a new multi-year partnership with Amazon Web…
UK-based provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications and related secure digital products, solutions and services,…
From emerging as the most successful franchise of the 2010s – with five IPL titles…
Professional footballers in the modern era are not just athletes but multi-millionaires whose earnings goes…
FIFA has announced a long-term partnership expansion of their agreement with online sports retailer Fanatics…