Forbes Officially Declares LeBron James a Billionaire

According to Forbes, LeBron James’ net worth has surpassed $1 billion making him the first active NBA billionaire ever to reach the milestone. He is also the very first player in a team sport in the United States to reach the three-comma club.

James has been competing in NBA competitions for over 20 years. In 2021, the Lakers players’ earnings surpassed $121.2 million. He lived up to the hype, becoming a generation-defining player with four NBA titles and four MVPs to his name. James has maximized his business with over $1.2 billion in pretax earnings.

As the NBA’s highest-paid active player, he has earned more than $385 million in salary from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers. Off the court, he has earned more than $900 million in endorsement deals with partners like AT&T, Beats, Blaze Pizza, GMC, Nike, PepsiCo, Rimowa, Walmart and other business ventures.

The first active NBA billionaire may have manifested this achievement into reality in an interview back in a prophetic 2014 interview. “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.”

LeBron James is the largest shareholder in the SpringHill Company, which is worth $725 million.

In 2021, James stated his intention to purchase an NBA franchise. “I got so much to give to the game. I know what it takes to win at this level. I know talent,” he told reporters. “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.

Tiger Woods, Floyd Mayweather, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Roger Federer are the only other athletes to have earned $1 billion while still active. As part of his two-year contract, he’ll earn another $44.5 million in Los Angeles next season.