LeBron James Makes History As The First Active NBA Player To Become A Billionaire

LeBron James has officially become a billionaire, according to Forbes. This makes James the first active NBA player to reach the milestone and the second NBA player to reach billionaire status, joining retired basketball star Michael Jordan.

It comes after he landed the number two spot on Forbes’ 10 Highest-Paid Athletes of 2022 list, following Lionel Messi, who snagged the number one spot. 

Now that James is said to be worth an estimated $1 billion, let’s break down the numbers.

James has made $387 million from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers, and he raked in another $900 million from other ventures and endorsements, such as a lifetime Nike sponsorship, Blaze pizza franchises, and owning a video production company, bringing his pre-tax earnings to over $1.2 billion.

The aforementioned SpringHill Company, created alongside his longtime friend Maverick Carter, is worth approximately $300 million.

It is named after the apartment complex where James and his mother — who had him at the age of 16 and raised him on her own — first found stability.

According to Forbes, his real estate properties are worth around $80 million, and his stake in the Blaze Pizza chain earns him approximately $30 million.

In 2021, James expressed his hopes to one day own an NBA franchise after becoming part-owner of the Boston Red Sox. 

“I got so much to give to the game. I know what it takes to win at this level. I know talent,” James told interviewers. “I also know how to run a business as well. And so, that is my goal. My goal is to own an NBA franchise, and it will be sooner than later.”