LeBron James

2022 - 6 - 3

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

LeBron James Is Officially A Billionaire (Forbes)

He missed the playoffs for just the fourth time in 19 seasons but LeBron still scores as the first active NBA player to make our list.

It’s expensive to live like LeBron, but even after accounting for managers, agents, lawyers and a superstar’s spending habits, Forbes still believes James has more than a half-billion dollars in net assets beyond what’s listed above. He reportedly paid less than $1 million for a 10% slice of the made-to-order, assembly-line-style pizza chain in 2012; it’s since grown to more than 300 company-owned and franchised stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. Forbes estimates James’ stake in the chain–plus his small cut of 18 Blaze franchise stores in Florida and Illinois that are run by restaurateur Larry Levy–to be worth about $30 million. James has been all-in on Blaze Pizza for years, even working behind the counter and hitting the streets to hand out pies to promote the brand. But the real key to James’ billion-dollar fortune: He’s been more than just a pitchman. And if I happen to get it, if I happen to be a billion-dollar athlete, ho. Off the court, he has raked in upwards of $900 million in income from endorsements and other business ventures. Last year, thanks to Nike, plus deals with brands like AT&T, PepsiCo and Walmart, he was the second-highest-earning athlete in the world. He inked his first deal with Nike in 2003, at age 18, famously rejecting offers from Reebok and Adidas in favor of what he saw as the better long-term partner. And if I happen to get it, if I happen to be a billion-dollar athlete, ho. After more than a decade of success, he struck a lifetime agreement with Nike in late 2015 that pays him tens of millions annually. Born to a struggling, 16-year-old single mother in Akron, Ohio, James lived with an assortment of family members, friends, neighbors and his peewee football coach– moving a dozen times in three years–before becoming the most hyped high school basketball prospect of all time. James, who’s missing the playoffs for just the fourth time in 19 seasons, is the first active NBA player to make the billionaires list.

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Image courtesy of "CNBC"

NBA superstar LeBron James is officially a billionaire—here's a look ... (CNBC)

The 37-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star is the first-ever active player to reach billionaire status.

Additionally, James has partnerships with chains like Blaze Pizza, where he is an investor and owns a 10% stake that Forbes estimates to be worth $30 million. He is the first-ever active NBA player to reach billionaire status. James has embarked on a number of lucrative business ventures over his 19-year playing career.

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Image courtesy of "ESPN"

LeBron James becomes NBA's first active player worth $1 billion ... (ESPN)

LeBron James has reached a goal he set for himself years ago, becoming the first active NBA player to have a net worth of $1 billion, according to Forbes.

Off the court, James starred in "Space Jam: A New Legacy" and, according to Forbes, sold a minority stake in his production company, SpringHill, at a $725 million valuation. • More than $500 million from cash and investments. "And if I happen to get it, if I happen to be a billion-dollar athlete, ho.

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

LeBron James is the first active NBA player to become a billionaire (NPR)

According to Forbes, LeBron James' net worth has officially reached $1 billion. The lion's share of his wealth comes from his business ventures and ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

LeBron James is first active NBA player to become a billionaire (The Guardian)

LeBron James has achieved billionaire status thanks to investments in areas such as food, entertainment and sports franchises.

And if I happen to get it, if I happen to be a billion-dollar athlete, ho. He also has won two Olympic gold medals. LeBron James has added another title to his collection: billionaire.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

LeBron James is now a billionaire - CNN (CNN)

Forbes said that the Los Angeles Lakers star has "maximized his business," generating more than $1.2 billion in pretax earnings. His NBA salary from three ...

And if I happen to get it, if I happen to be a billion-dollar athlete, ho. said that the Los Angeles Lakers star has "maximized his business," generating more than $1.2 billion in pretax earnings. The four-time NBA champion also has investments in fitness startup Tonal, ridesharing company Lyft and eatery upstart Blaze Pizza.

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Image courtesy of "Los Angeles Times"

Lakers' LeBron James is first active NBA star worth $1 billion (Los Angeles Times)

LeBron James is in the billionaires' club, according to Forbes, which pegs the Lakers star's net worth at $1 billion.

But the one thing we all wanted to do: We wanted to work. Said that I was making a huge mistake by bringing in my friends to run the business side of what we wanted to do,” James said of the founding of SpringHill. “And we used that as motivation. We were all learning on the fly.

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Image courtesy of "CBS News"

LeBron James is officially a billionaire. Here's where his wealth is. (CBS News)

The 37-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star is the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, according to Forbes, which ranks the wealth of athletes, ...

"And if I happen to get it, if I happen to be a billion-dollar athlete, ho. While basketball great Michael Jordan is also a billionaire, he didn't achieve that standing until years after he retired from the game, Forbes noted. "I want to maximize my business," he said at the time. James reportedly paid less than $1 million for a 10% stake in the pizza chain in 2012, which has grown to more than 300 locations in North America, according to Forbes. His cut of the ownership is worth about $30 million, the magazine estimates. Last year, he sold a stake in the business to investors including Nike and Epic Games, giving the business a $725 million valuation, according to Forbes. James remains the largest single shareholder, although his current stake in the company is believed to be less than 50%, the publication added. James parlayed his $385 million in earnings from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers as well as $900 million in income from endorsements and other business ventures into a portfolio of investments and holdings, according to Forbes.

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Image courtesy of "Entrepreneur"

The Secrets That Helped LeBron James Become a Billionaire (And ... (Entrepreneur)

The Los Angeles Lakers star and former Miami Heat legend has officially become the first NBA athlete to hit billionaire status while still playing in the league ...

And if I happen to get it, if I happen to be a billion-dollar athlete, ho. James is only one of two basketball players to ever hit a net worth of ten digits — with Michael Jordan being the first, a status he reached nearly a decade after retiring his jersey. And yet, as demonstrated by other billionaires, the status rarely comes from one stream of revenue. LeBron James has a habit of breaking records, and not just on the court. James' billionaire status didn't happen overnight, and some could argue that his first step towards skyrocketing success was with his very first brand deal, which he signed in 2003 with Nike at age 18. Aside from being the NBA's highest paid player, James has accrued more than $900 million from endorsements and various business ventures.

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Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

LeBron James is officially a billionaire, according to Forbes (USA TODAY)

The Los Angeles Lakers star is also one of two basketball players to reach $1 billion in net worth. Forbes reports Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan topped ...

According to Forbes, James is the second-highest paid athlete in the world, trailing only soccer star Lionel Messi. "I want to maximize my business. James acknowledged the milestone in a post on Instagram Thursday, which features an image of himself published with Forbes' report. Obviously," James told the magazine. But is a slowdown coming? "It’s my biggest milestone.

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Image courtesy of "Fortune"

How did LeBron James become a billionaire? It wasn't just basketball (Fortune)

James has earned more than $900 million off the court during his 19-year NBA career. Michael Jordan is also a billionaire, but only years after his playing ...

The 18-time All-Star has been open about his business goals outside of basketball throughout his career. And if I happen to get it, if I happen to be a billion-dollar athlete, ho. James is also a part owner of Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park, and Liverpool F.C., among others. Johnson and O’Neal have had similar success throughout their post-basketball careers. He made news in 1985 for purchasing a stake in Philadelphia’s Coca-Cola bottling franchise, which netted him millions. About half of James’ net worth comes from his stakes in real estate properties and business ventures.

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