African American basketball star, LeBron James, is on the verge of a financial milestone, as he is set to exceed half a billion dollars in career earnings by 2025.
A recent report by Forbes ranking highest earning athletes in 2023, shows that over the years, LeBron James has consistently ranked at the top of Forbes’ annual earnings leaderboard, only briefly relinquishing the position to another Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant, during the 2013-14 season.
As of 2023, his estimated earnings stand at an impressive $117.6 million.
Meanwhile, it is anticipated that he will more than triple this amount to over $530 million by 2025, representing an astonishing 350.17% increase.
James’ on-court success is equally noteworthy. He has amassed a whopping $432 million in earnings during his 20 professional seasons, making him the highest-earning player in the history of the NBA.
His illustrious on-court career includes highlights such as being the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, 10 NBA Finals appearances, four NBA titles, and 13 selections to the All-NBA First Team.
Off the court, LeBron James is not only a basketball superstar but also a savvy businessman. He holds a significant stake in the SpringHill Company, a TV and movie production company that played a pivotal role in his journey to becoming the first active athlete on Forbes’ billionaire list.
His involvement in projects like “Shooting Stars,” a film based on his high school basketball career and released on Peacock in June, has further boosted his earnings, potentially netting him as much as $70 million.
At the age of 38, LeBron James, popularly known as “King James,” continues to expand his brand.
He recently joined a Taco Bell marketing campaign in May, aimed at removing the trademarked status from the phrase “Taco Tuesdays.”
On Forbes’ 2023 list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, only Roger Federer and Cristiano Ronaldo have outearned him in business endeavours.
What you should know about Lebron James
Lebron James became the first active NBA player to achieve billionaire status, with Forbes estimating his net worth at $1 billion as of April 2023.
Born to a 16-year-old single mother, he faced a tumultuous upbringing, residing with various family members, friends, neighbours, and even his youth football coach, before being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.
Throughout his career, James has earned over $430 million in pre-tax salary from his stints with the Cavaliers, the Miami Heat, and his current team, the Los Angeles Lakers.
His earnings have extended beyond the basketball court, with Forbes estimating that he has garnered over $900 million in pre-tax income from business ventures and endorsement deals, including partnerships with giants like PepsiCo, Walmart, and Nike.
A key factor contributing to his billionaire status is his strategic equity investments in brands he collaborates with, such as Beats by Dre and the rapidly growing Blaze Pizza chain.
Through the LeBron James Family Foundation, he opened his first elementary school in 2018 and has committed to investing more than $40 million in sending children to college.
