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LeBron James has continued to break barriers throughout his historic NBA career. After being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers at just 18 years old, James' career officially took off. Since then, he has not only won four NBA championships but also amassed an incredible fortune.
Much of James' wealth stems from making sound business decisions. With the help of trusted advisors and mentors, James has truly carved out his own lane in the business world.
From business investments and endorsements to his contracts with NBA teams, James has had no shortage of revenue streams. In this article, we're going to take a look at how LeBron James managed to build himself and his family a billion-dollar empire.
How LeBron James' net worth has grown over the years with lucrative deals and investments
"It's gotta be the shoes!" Much like NBA legend Michael Jordan, one of the biggest deals LeBron James signed was a contract with Nike. After signing a rookie deal with Nike, his shoes quickly became one of the nation's most popular. This led to James ultimately signing a lifetime deal with the brand.
In addition to the lifetime deal with Nike, LeBron James made some pretty big decisions that had big payoffs. One of the earliest was investing in Beats Electronics, which was ultimately acquired by Apple 10 years into James' career.
According to CanKnowledge.com, James' net worth growth from 2017 on is reported as follows:
2017: $550 Million
2018: $630 Million
2019: $680 Million
2020: $720 Million
2021: $790 Million
2022: $850 Million
With a growth of nearly $850 million in 2022, James' total net worth, including investments. was totaled at $1.2 billion. According to Forbes estimates, James became a billionaire this summer.
But who manages all that money and helped LeBron James reach billionaire status?
Looking at the key people who manage LeBron James' money
It's no secret that LeBron James has made sure to bring his friends along for the journey. Throughout his career, James has put his friends in a position to succeed time and time again.
Most notably, James' longtime friend, Rich Paul, has taken the reign of Klutch Sports as founder and CEO. In addition to being James' agent, Paul manages some of the best players in the league.
James' longtime friend, Maverick Carter, has also been instrumental in helping grow his fortune. With a hand in numerous business dealings, and the creation of the Uninterrupted network.
Last but certainly not least, another longtime friend, Randy Mims, has been the creative mind behind James' success. The Emmy Award-winning Chief of Staff for James has help with production on the "More Than an Athlete" series and "Space Jam 2."
What are some of the key investments that constitute LeBron James' net worth of over $1 billion?
James hasn't taken his foot off the gas since reaching billionaire status. If anything, he has ramped up his business dealings. In recent years, his net worth has absolutely skyrocketed, largely in part due to active investments.
James and Carter's company, Uninterrupted, produces some of the most-watched sports podcasts with no signs of slowing down. "The Shop," which features roundtable discussions with huge celebrities, has helped Uninterrupted stake its claim in sports media.
James also has dabbled in the restaurant industry. Blaze Pizza, which acquired a massive investment from McDonald's, has quickly become one of the nation's biggest pizza chains.
The largest of all LeBron James' endeavors, however, is his investment in Fenway Sports. Through the group, James has an active investment in some of the biggest sports franchises in the world. From Liverpool FC to the Boston Red Sox, James' net worth has continued to rise as a result of the investment.
With no signs of stopping any time soon, James recently announced his desire to own an NBA franchise of his own. The only thing he's waiting on is the NBA to announce an expansion.
