How has Lebron James made $1 billion?

NBA history... and beyond! ... And beyond!
Eternal struggle Lebron vs Jordan
Points, rings... and money!
The first working billionaire
1 billion and counting
Jordan took a little longer
Lebron James predicted it in 2014
Is he thrilled?
How did Lebron James earn 1 billion?
Nike was a great choice
Contract for life
One of the highest-paid sportsmen
More than just sponsorships
Producer of 'Space Jam'
Fenway
Real estate
Pizza Blaze
Other investments
The sale of 'Beats' by Dre
Business with Arnold Schwarzenegger
Lebron vs Jordan
NBA history... and beyond! ... And beyond!

Lebron James is making NBA history. Is he a greater player than Michael Jordan? And how can you measure such a thing anyway?

Eternal struggle Lebron vs Jordan

If the competition between King James and Air Jordan wasn't enough on the court, it is set to spill over off the court with the accumulated heritage of both NBA legends.

Points, rings... and money!

Michael Jordan is the retired player with the highest net worth thanks to his legendary partnership with Nike and the Jordan Brand. However, Lebron James is poised to surpass him in the coming years.

The first working billionaire

At the moment, Air Jordan has an estimated net worth of $2.2 billion, according to Forbes. Meanwhile, Lebron James has already surpassed the $1 billion mark... and he's still active!

1 billion and counting

In fact, King James has become the first active player in NBA history to become a billionaire.

Jordan took a little longer

For perspective, Michael Jordan did not reach the $1 billion mark until 2014, a decade after retiring.

Lebron James predicted it in 2014

Forbes magazine has confirmed Lebron James' net worth figures, recalling the Akron native's prediction to 'GQ' in 2014.

Is he thrilled?

"Obviously, I want to maximize my business. And if I make it, if I'm a $1 billion athlete, I'll be thrilled," he said. Eight years later, we imagine he is thrilled.

How did Lebron James earn 1 billion?

The question is, how did Lebron James manage to surpass $1 billion in net worth? Clearly, he did so with a good nose for business, some advice, and a good head on his shoulders.

Nike was a great choice

At the age of 18, he used his brain and signed with Nike instead of Adidas or Reebok, thinking of the benefits that the American firm would bring him in the long term.

Contract for life

Time eventually proved him right, and by the end of 2015, Lebron James would sign a lifetime deal with Nike. He gets tens of millions per year from it.

One of the highest-paid sportsmen

Obviously, Nike is not the only brand with which King James has highly lucrative deals. AT&T, PepsiCo, and Walmart also contribute to him being one of the highest-paid sportsmen in the world, with incomes that are close to, and have even exceeded, 100 million dollars a year.

More than just sponsorships

Beyond revenue, Lebron James has made several investments. Companies have grown, to some extent thanks to his presence. Which, in turn, contributed to the billion-dollar fortune of the player.

Producer of 'Space Jam'

Forbes lists Lebron James as the largest individual shareholder in this audiovisual content production company, Spring Hill, and estimates his stake at $300 million. The company was the producer of 'Space Jam: A New Legacy' (2021).

Fenway

His stake in the sports group that runs Liverpool F.C. and the Boston Red Sox is 1%. So if it's worth an estimated $900 million, that leads to him having $9 million.

Real estate

The company that controls his three most valuable properties - a mansion in Akron, another mansion in Los Angeles, and the third one in Beverly Hills - is worth 80 million dollars.

Pizza Blaze

In 2012, James bought a 10% stake in the Blaze pizza chain for $1 million. It now has an estimated worth of $30 million, according to Forbes. The chain has more than 300 locations across the United States.

Photo: Instagram - @kingjames

Other investments

Beyond his most visible businesses, Lebron James is a money-making machine, and Forbes puts his worth from other investments at around $500 million.

The sale of 'Beats' by Dre

One of the most talked-about was his involvement in the 2014 sale of Beats by Dre (pictured) to Apple for $3 billion. Lebron James was a shareholder and spokesperson.

Business with Arnold Schwarzenegger

He also has stakes in 'Beachbody', the well-known fitness company that bought 'Ladder', the sports nutrition company of Lebron James and Arnold Schwarzenegger (pictured).

Lebron vs Jordan

It is clear that the fight to be the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) between Michael Jordan and Lebron James is going to go on for years. Not only in terms of talent but also with regard to business.