LeBron James becomes first active NBA player to become a billionaire

 

LeBron James has officially become the newest basketball billionaire.

According to Forbes, the Los Angeles Lakers star is the first active NBA player to go from an “M” into a “B” in regards to his fortune.

As an NBA player, the 18-time All-Star and 4-time NBA champion and MVP is accomplishing things at the age of 37 that have never been done by an NBA player on and off the court.

In 2021 alone, James reportedly earned more than $121.2 million, making him the second-highest paid athlete in the world behind soccer superstar Lionel Messi.

According to Sportrac, during his pro career, LeBron has made more than $1.2 billion, earning more than $385 million in salaries from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers, and is currently the NBA’s highest-paid active player. 

Off the court, LBJ has inked deals with companies, including Blaze Pizza, home gym company Tonal and rideshare giant Lyft.

On his own accord, James has created his own business ventures including SpringHill Company, an entertainment and production company he developed with longtime friend and business partner Maverick Carter.

Forbes broke down James wealth portfolio into several major assets:

Thhe Spring Hill Company: $300 million. 

Fenway Sports Group: $90 million.

Real Estate: $80 million.

Blaze Pizza: $30 million.

Cash/Other Investments: More than $500 million. 

Michael Jordan is the only other NBA player to crack the $1 billion threshold, but he didn’t do so until 2014, more than a decade after he retired from basketball.

"It’s my biggest milestone. Obviously. I want to maximize 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," James told GQ magazine in an interview in 2014.