Los Angeles, United States of America (USA)- According to Forbes, Lakers forward, LeBron James, and four-time NBA champion as well as the League’s No. 2 career scorer, has become the first active NBA player to have a net worth of US$1 billion.
Despite earning close to US$400 million in salary during his NBA career with the Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, James’ off-court earnings far eclipse that. Forbes estimate James, 37, has brought in more than US$900 million from business investments and endorsements.
These include his entertainment group, SpringHill, which he sold a minority stake in for US$725 million. SpringHill has produced shows such as The Shop and a docuseries on Naomi Osaka, as well as the film Space Jam: A New Legacy, in which James starred.
He also has a one percent stake in Fenway Sports Group, which owns Liverpool FC, and the Boston Red Sox and recently agreed to buy the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins. James also bought a 10 percent stake in Blaze Pizza for less than US$1 million in 2012, which Forbes says is now worth US$30 million.
The 37-year-old’s real estate portfolio is estimated to be worth US$80 million and includes a US$10 million property in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, and two homes in Los Angeles worth a combined US$60 million.
His predecessor, Michael Jordan, whose net worth Forbes has pegged at US$1.7 billion, didn’t reach billionaire status until 11 years later after he retired.
Meanwhile, yesterday the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics opened the 2022 NBA Finals, 7 tier games, with the Celtics striking the first blow with a 120 – 108 comeback victory in Game 1.
Klay Thompson, who scored 15 points for Golden State, admitted it is tough to lose in such a way but said that despite the loss, he is optimistic about his team’s chances in this series.
“It’s never fun and it hurts on the big stage, obviously. As Draymond said, there’s no reason to panic. I like our chances still. We will go home and we will digest what happened. I know we will be better Game 2 (sic),” said Thompson.
Now, after entering the NBA Finals and having played 12 games in 23 days across the Eastern Conference semifinals and finals, Boston will now get another three days’ rest and prepare to play again at the Chase Center in San Francisco in Game 2 on Sunday night, where they will have an opportunity to put a stranglehold on the games with another victory.
