The four-time NBA champion officially reached billionaire status on Thursday.
Lakers’ LeBron James Becomes Billionaire; 1st Active NBA Player Ever to Hit Milestone
The Los Angeles Lakers' basketball legend, businessman, and an American icon is reportedly the first NBA player to become a billionaire while still actively playing.
Forbes' Chase Peterson-Withorn reported Thursday that James' net worth surpassed the $1 billion mark after he earned $121.2 million in 2021.
The 37-year-old Ohio native is one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. He lived up to the hype as a generational prospect in 2003 to become one of the greatest basketball players in history, highlighted by four NBA championships and four MVP awards.
Based on Forbes' valuation, James has tallied $385 million in on-court earnings as part of a 19-year career with the Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. He's set to make another $44.5 million next season in L.A. as part of his two-year contract.
He's added another $900 million from off-court ventures, including endorsements contracts, per Forbes.
That revenue stream was bolstered last year by the release of Space Jam: A New Legacy, which featured the NBA's longtime gold standard in a starring role and also included his SpringHill Company as one of the movie's production groups. It's generated $162.9 million in worldwide sales.
James is the largest stakeholder in the SpringHill Company, which itself carries a $725 million valuation, according to Forbes.
Other aspects of his estimated net worth include $90 million from the Fenway Sports Group, which includes MLB's Boston Red Sox, the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins and the EPL's Liverpool, $80 million in real estate and $30 million from Blaze Pizza.
James following in the footsteps of Michael Jordan, the owner of the Charlotte Hornets, who became the first NBA player to hit $1 billion in net worth after his on-court retirement.
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