LeBron James Is Officially A Billionaire | Forbes

LeBron James–18-time NBA all-star, 4-time NBA champion, 2-time Olympic gold medalist–has hit yet another milestone, this time doing something no other NBA player has ever done.

After another monster year of earnings–totaling $121.2 million last year–Forbes estimates that James has officially become a billionaire, while still playing hoops.

The 37-year-old superstar has a net worth of $1 billion, by Forbes’ count. James, who’s missing the playoffs for just the fourth time in 19 seasons, is the first active NBA player to make the billionaires list. (Michael Jordan, the only other basketball billionaire, didn’t hit ten figures until 2014, more than a decade after he retired, thanks to a well-timed investment in the Charlotte Hornets basketball team.)

"It’s my biggest milestone,” James told GQ in a prophetic 2014 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."

James has done just that–maximized his business, to the tune of more than $1.2 billion in pretax earnings. He has commanded more than $385 million in salary from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers as the NBA’s highest-paid active player. Off the court, he has raked in upwards of $900 million in income from endorsements and other business ventures.

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[rodaxel]

Moving to LA where his production company and multiple businesses were was the key. Life after basketball is getting closer and he's laying the foundation for his next chapter.

[phillywestside]

He's an only child, great son, great father, great family man, humanitarian, outstanding athlete and smart in business.

[kofiowusu]

This man literally came from nothing. He deserves all this

[cipherP]

That’s insane, a billionaire active athlete, I know his dad is kicking himself. Such a humble guy deserves this achievement, I like that he cares about being a great role model for all kids and being a positive leader for the sports world.

[ACEDTVL]

Congrats James, well deserved talk about humble beginnings and making silent moves you have done everything right. they forgot to mention how you have also invested a lot of your money into helping the community thanks for being you.

[ShawnMathew]

No matter what everyone’s feelings are of him as a player or politically, they can’t deny that this is an incredible achievement considering where he came from

[johnwebb]

Keep winning on the basketball court and in life King James. Billionaire status, consistent philanthropy work and still breaking NBA records.

[kasimea]

He does whatever it takes. And many may not agree with some of the roles he's taken on and criticize his performance in many aspects. I hope other NBA players become billionaires and become successful on and off the court too.

[neoretroguy]

LeBron has one of the greatest success story in the sports. Right after Bron was born, he had all the conditions for him not to succeed but here he is now. One of the brightest icons in sports and in life.

[devineballer]

LeBillionaire making moves on and off the Court

[Cryptech]

One of the rare instances where someone actually lived up to all the hype they got.

[charlottedale]

The most prudent thing for everyone to do right now is to invest in other sources of income that do not rely on the government. Especially in light of the present global economic crisis. This is still an excellent opportunity to invest in stocks and digital currencies

[deejay]

Idc what the haters say, I’m so happy for this man. To come from the trenches and battle his way to being a billionaire…amazing

[CWJ]

Skip Bayless just tweeted: How does Lebron becoming a billionaire affect his legacy? Now on Undisputed.

[codywillis]

Anybody notice this man is never in the news in a negative light. I’m not counting twitter wars with fools. He is a legit family man, a business tycoon, and an NBA Legend. Respect LBJ.

[yungmatt]

His set up his lineage for at least 10 generations to live comfortably. GOAT.

[lousmooth]

He’s been to the NBA finals more times than he’s missed the playoffs that’s crazy

[apierre]

Heck of an accomplishment. He's created the blueprint for athletes to make off the court. Not only has he made himself rich but he's empowered those around him to get money.

[terrylew]

What makes this so incredible is, i think you wouldve had to actually live his early life to truly grasp the depths of poverty and hardship from which he and his mom Gloria emerged from. Yea in high school the gifts and cars and stuff started coming but before all that. And the most impressive thing with him for me, love him or hate him, the man NEVER forgot where he came from. Congrats my man, well done

[theartofstorytelling]

“I’m not a businessman, I’m a business MAN”

-Hov

Congratulations Lebron. Just a kid from Akron