New NBA-LFC collaboration: does LeBron James own Liverpool?

Liverpool have announced the new edition of the leisurewear collaboration between the Premier League club and NBA legend LeBron James. The ‘LFC x LeBron: Chapter 2′ was revealed on Wednesday, mixing the leisurewear aesthetics of basketball and soccer.

The second collaboration between LeBron and Liverpool features a black, blue and gold colour palette and is already available to purchase online. The collection features soccer jerseys and basketball shorts among other leisurewear items.

The club’s press release describes it as a “transatlantic collaboration between the most iconic basketball player in the world and a global powerhouse in football”.

The campaign is fronted by LeBron and Virgil van Dijk, who took over as Liverpool captain last summer.

“It’s great to have worked together alongside LeBron to launch this collaboration,” Van Dijk said. “I’m excited for everyone to see what we’ve created.”

Does LeBron James own Liverpool?

This is the second sportswear collaboration between LeBron James and Liverpool and the 39-year-old has a long history with the club. He is a keen soccer fan and supports Liverpool, first visiting Anfield in 2011.

His extraordinary NBA earnings - allied with lucrative partnerships with the likes of Beats Electronics and Nike - left him able to buy a stake in the Premier League giants. While playing for the Miami Heat LeBron struck a deal with Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group to acquire a minority stake in the club.

He acquired around 2% of the club in 2011, worth an estimated $6.5 million. By 2018 his share was thought to be worth $32 million.

In 2021 Fenway Sports Group introduced new investors and made LeBron James a part of Liverpool’s ownership group. It’s not clear exactly how much of a stake the NBA legend now holds in Liverpool but his ties to the club appear to be growing. This latest edition of his sportswear collaboration is further proof of that.