Back in 2014, LeBron James told GQ about his dream of becoming a billionaire.
“It’s my biggest milestone,” said James in that interview. “Obviously, I want to maximize my business. And if I happen to get it, if I happen to be a billion dollar athlete, ho. Hip hip hooray! Oh my God, I’m gonna be excited!”
Well, today he must be jumping for joy because Forbes has officially named King James a billionaire.
He also made history in the process, as James becomes the first active NBA player to make the list.
The 37-year-old superstar, who earned $121.2 million last year, now has a net worth of $1 billion according to Forbes. He’s now the second NBA player to make the list, the first being Michael Jordan.
According to Forbes, James’ businesses have earned him $1.2 billion in pretax earnings.
Between his salaries from the Cavaliers, Heat and Lakers ($385 million total) and his endorsements and business ventures ($900 million), James is now in the Forbes history books.
While James gets paid, it’s his astute ability to acquire equity positions through his investments in companies like Blaze Pizza, Tonal and Lyft.
In 2020, after securing a $100 million investment, James and business partner Maverick Carter rolled his Robot Company marketing agency, Uninterrupted and SpringHill Entertainment into one company, SpringHill.
Then last October, the two partners secured a massive investment for SpringHill from a group that includes the Fenway Sports Group and Epic Games. That increased the company’s valuation to $725 million.
Now King James has a hand in basketball, baseball and soccer, as well as films, TV programming and much more.
Not bad for a kid from Akron.
