In the final episode ofStarting 5, Netflix’s ten-part docuseries followingfive superstar NBA playersas they navigate the 2023/34 season, LeBron James islauded as the first active player to have a net worth exceeding $1 billion. That’s a stunning achievement for a 39-year-old at the end of a decades-long career and firmly places him in an exclusive club of billionaire athletes such as Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods.
James' staggering wealth, goes beyond the money he’s made on the court.A diverse portfolio of strategic investments, endorsement deals, and philanthropic enterprisesthat complement the vast amounts of money he’s earned from playing contracts across two decades at the top of his game. He remains an in-demand celebrity with several TV and movie credits.LeBron James even appeared inSpace Jam: A New Legacy, the sequel to Michael Jordan’s Looney Tunes-NBA crossover from 1995.
LeBron James' Net Worth Is Estimated At $1.2 Billion
James' Is The Fifth-Highest Sports Earner Ever
LeBron James passed the billionaire mark back in 2022, and Forbes now estimates his worth to exceed $1.2 billion. His wealth is set to continue to rise asit’s rumored he’s signed a no-trade-clause $104 million maximum dealto continue with the Lakers at The Athletic Stadium for two more years. Astonishingly, he’ll be playing alongside his son Bronny James, who the Lakers drafted as the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. That’ll take James into his 23rd year at the pinnacle of his sport.
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According toSportico, LeBron James is the fifth-highest-earning athlete in history -behind Jordan ($3.75 billion) and Woods ($2.66 billion), but also golfer Arnold Palmer ($1.76 billion) and soccer player Christiano Ronaldo ($1.92 billion). For a someone born into relative poverty, the numbers are particularly impressive. Like Jordan, he’s also invested as an owner of other sports teams. James has stakes in the Boston Red Sox, RFK Racing, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Liverpool FC, giving him a foothold in a variety of sports aside from just basketball.
How Much Has LeBron James Made From Basketball & What Other Deals Does He Have?
James Has Lucrative Endorsement And Business Deals
Those Lakers contracts have driven James' financial success. He’s signed several lucrative contracts after being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003 and following a stint with the Miami Heat, the most impactful beingthe four-year Lakers deal he signed in 2018 worth approximately $154 million. His net earnings from basketball alone have exceeded $400m. He’s one of the highest-paid players the NBA has seen.
“Nike, Coca-Cola, and AT&T bring in $80 billion annually”
Yet James' court earnings only scratch the surface: lucrative endorsements withNike, Coca-Cola, and AT&T bring in $80 billion annually. His lifetime contract with Nike is said to be worth over $1 billion alone. Savvy investments in Blaze Pizza and production company SpringHill Entertainment also boost the coffers. His philanthropy is impressive too - the LeBron James Family Foundation and the I PROMISE School in Akron show his willingness to give back.
Starting 5
Cast
NBA superstars LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, Domantas Sabonis, and Anthony Edwards give fans an intimate look at their lives on and off the court. The docuseries follows their 2023-2024 season, capturing not just the intense games but also personal moments with family, showing the balance between professional demands and personal commitments.
