How did LeBron James and Rich Paul meet? Closer look at their relationship and success story

LeBron James is one of the most successful human beings on the planet, thanks to his most trusted and long-time basketball agent Rich Paul. James and Paul immediately found success in the NBA and have made a lot of money throughout their careers.

Rich's undeniable business transactional talents have helped LeBron become the billionaire he is today. But how exactly did their partnership start?

Looking at the timeline of how LeBron James and Rich Paul meet each other and their success in NBA

Rich and LeBron (Image via Yahoo Sports)

Several months before LeBron James was drafted into the NBA back in 2003, he crossed paths with Rich Paul at an airport in Akron, Ohio. According to Business Insider, James was intrigued by Paul's Warren Moon Houston Oilers throwback jersey. Rich then revealed that he sold throwback jerseys for a living and was on his way to his supplier based in Atlanta.

Paul then shared more information with James on where he should go to purchase the vintage drip. The then jersey-selling businessman even offered LeBron a potential discount for every purchase as long as he mentioned Rich's name to the supplier.

Because of his generosity that day, James invited Rich to his inner circle, which also included James' childhood friends, Maverick Carter and Randy Mims. Rich and James ended up becoming friends, which little did they know would change the course of their respective careers.

The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted LeBron James in 2003, and the then-18-year-old James decided to hire Rich Paul as his agent, working under the legendary Leon Rose at Creative Artists Agency.

Sources report that James initially paid Paul $50,000 annually. From being a jersey salesman to an NBA superstar's agent, Rich took the opportunity to gain a lot of experience and learn the tricks of the trade.

Fast forward to the present day, Paul is now the founder of Klutch Sports, a sports agency representing notable NBA players like Lonzo Ball, Eric Bledsoe and Jordan Clarkson, to name a few. The sports agent's life story is literally the embodiment of rags to riches.

As for LeBron James, he is one of the, if not the greatest, basketball players of all time. "King James" recently surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most all-time career points in the NBA.

He's a four-time champion, four-time Finals MVP, and four-time league MVP who is still playing like he's in his prime, despite already being 38 years old in his 20th season.

James and Paul have come a long way since meeting at the airport in Akron. Who knew that both men would end up becoming great support systems for each other?