Forbes revealed back in 2022 that James had become the first active billionaire in the NBA. His wealth has continued to grow since then.
is LeBron James the richest basketball player in history? Advertising money, Nike endorsement deal, business revenue...
LA Lakers star LeBron James is officially a billionaire. The Los Angeles Lakers star is now worth over an estimated $1.2 billion, which made the Ohio native the first active NBA player to join the billionaire club.
The only other billionaire basketball player is Michael Jordan, with the Chicago Bulls legend only entering the elite circle 11 years after he retired from the game when he saw his stake in the Charlotte Hornets franchise increase to 89.5 percent in 2014.
Huge contracts
Although his on-court earnings are half of his overal career income, LeBron James has still made a ton of money during his NBA career with his contracts in Miami, Cleveland and Los Angeles. He has earned over $500 million in NBA contracts with his three teams over his 22 years in the league.
He also gets paid $32 million a year by Nike for endorsing their shoes and other products. Some media outlets report this collaboration has earned him nearly $1 billion during his career.
Let’s not forget about contracts with PepsiCo, Walmart and State Farm.
Shrewd investments
The SpringHill Company: $300 million: The SpringHill Company is an entertainment development and production company founded in 2020 by LeBron James and Maverick Carter and includes James’ Robot Company marketing agency, athlete brand Uninterrupted and SpringHill Entertainment. Recent output includes Space Jam 2 and forthcoming Netflix film ‘Hustle’ starring Adam Sandler.
Fenway Sports Group: $90 million: Self confessed Liverpool fan James owns 1 percent of FSG, which itself owns the MLB team, Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park and Liverpool Football Club. The consortium recently acquired NHL franchise Pittsburgh Penguins along as owning Roush Fenway Racing and the New England Sports Network.
With Fenway Sports Group's purchase of the Penguins, LeBron James' portfolio keeps growing 📈 pic.twitter.com/l1YuBBiz2c
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 29, 2021
Real Estate property: $80 million: The basketball star owns at least three luxury properties – in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and in his native Akron, Ohio.
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Blaze Pizza: $30 million: James invested $1 million for a 10 percent stake in 2012 before the pizza company grew to more than 300 stores in the United States and Canada. He also personally owned 18 franchise stores in Florida and Illinois and has been known to man the counter and serve customers on occasion.
In 2012, LeBron James acquired 10% of Blaze Pizza for less than $1 million
— Jon Erlichman (@JonErlichman) July 13, 2019
Blaze Pizza’s revenue:
2019: $400 million*
2018: $341.5 million
2017: $279 million
2016: $185 million
2015: $101 million
2014: $32.8 million
2013: $5.5 million
2012: $800,000
*company’s forecast pic.twitter.com/eg8JNEouuz
Various other investments: $500 million: Forbes estimates James has half a billion in other net assets that include other profitable investments like Beats by Dre audio, the sports nutrition company Ladder.
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