LeBron James distinguished himself at the Paris 2024 Games as much for his performance – living up to his title as the NBA’s best shooter of all time – as for his fortune. The Cleveland-born basketball player is believed to be the first billionaire basketball player still in business, his compatriots Michael Jordan and the late Kobe Bryant having won the title after their retirement.
At 39, LeBron James is much more than a basketball player. With an extraordinary career that has seen him win multiple NBA titles and become a three-time Olympic champion, he has also established himself off the court as an accomplished businessman, becoming the first active NBA player to achieve billionaire status. A feat that testifies to the American sportsman’s ability to excel in both sport and business. His unrivalled performances and judicious investments have helped forge a mythical image.
A dazzling Olympic and NBA track record
LeBron James, aka “King James” or “The Chosen One”, has left his mark on the history of the Olympic Games and the NBA. The 2.02-metre giant wearing number 23 is first and foremost one of the best shooters in NBA history.
A gold medallist in Athens in 2004, he was part of the famous “Redeem Team” that dominated the Beijing Games in 2008, before repeating the feat inLondonin 2012. At Paris 2024, he added a thirdgold medal to his record of achievements, cementing his status as an Olympic legend. This latest success is all the more significant in that he became the first men’s basketball player to carry the U.S. flag at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games, a treatment that testifies to his importance in the sport.
An active billionaire
In 2022, the NBA superstar officially became a billionaire, a rare feat for a still-active sportsman. He joins the ranks of Tiger Woods, the golfer who achieved this status the same year. This level of wealth is not only the fruit of his performances on the court, but also of his astute investments and lucrative sponsorship contracts.
Nicknamed “The King”, theLos Angeles Lakers winger (since 2018) also enjoys a “royal” salary. LeBron James enjoys the third-highest annual salary for an NBA player (nearly 50 million euros), while he appears as the fourth-highest-paid sportsman annually (with nearly 117 million euros earned).
Beyond sport, the legendary athlete has diversified his income. He owns stakes in several sports franchises, includingFenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox and part of the Pittsburgh Penguins. His stake in the BlazePizza chain, which he supported from the outset, has also contributed to his fortune, as has his production company SpringHill, which has produced such hits as Space Jam: New Era.
His NBA career is punctuated by numerous achievements: NBA season MVP four times, NBA Finals MVP four times, and 20 All-Star Game selections. His statistics are impressive, averaging 27.8 points per game in the play-offs for the 2023-2024 season, a testament to his consistency and excellence on the court.
A business empire
The athlete has built a business empire around his sporting career. His sponsorship contracts with giants such as Nike and Beats by Dre are major sources of his income. In 2015, he signed a lifetime contract with Nike, an agreement that earns him tens of millions of dollars every year. At the same time, his investments in companies like Tonal and Lyfthave strengthened his financial position.
SpringHill, co-founded with Maverick Carter, is another cornerstone of his fortune. This production company, which has attracted leading investors, continues to grow and produce successful content. In 2020, LeBron and Carter raised $100 million to integrate several companies under the SpringHill umbrella, solidifying its position of in the entertainment world.
Real estate also plays a crucial role in the player’s fortune. With properties totaling some $80 million, he owns luxurious residences in Akron, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. His investments in real estate demonstrate his ability to maximize his resources and invest in long-term assets.
In 2023, the legendary player’s fortune is estimated at around $1.2 billion, according to Forbes. His income comes not only from his sporting activities, but also from his various investments and businesses. He has become a model of success by combining sporting excellence with a shrewd financial strategy.
LeBron James is much more than a basketball player; he is a model of sporting and business success. Through his outstanding performances on the court, astute investments and lucrative sponsorship deals, he has not only consolidated his sporting legacy, but also built a financial empire. As he continues to shine in his career and in the business world, he remains an iconic figure, as much for his sporting achievements as for his financial success, a true “King” in every sense of the word.
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