Black Excellence: LeBron James Becomes A Billionaire!
Socialites, join us in congratulating sports legend LeBron James who is officially a billionaire!
Forbes reported the big news this Thursday morning, welcoming the NBA star into the three commas clubs. According to the business site, the 18-time NBA all-star, 4-time NBA champion, and 4-time MVP has made more than $1.2 billion in his professional career. He has earned more than $385 million in NBA salaries from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2021 James’ racked up $121.2 million, which made him the second-highest paid athlete in the world behind fútbol superstar Lionel Messi at the time. However, according to Forbes, he is currently the NBA’s highest-paid active player.
James has not yet released a statement following news of his latest achievement but fans have been praising and congratulating the athlete on becoming the first active basketball star to become a billionaire. CBS Sports reporter Anthony Lima tweeted, “Congrats LeBron. They say the first billion is always the hardest.” Another tweeted, “On principle, I believe billionaires shouldn’t exist. But, to be honest, this is cool. Congrats to LeBron. He’s an inspiration. Just a kid from Akron.” A third fan added, “This put it in perspective how hard it is to be a billionaire, Lebron has been at the pinnacle of sports for 19 years with max contracts plus multiple endorsements from the biggest companies and a lot of good investments. Congrats to the 🐐”
LeBron James Is Officially A Billionaire https://t.co/vKXxBzL9wf pic.twitter.com/5c6cdbYLN8
— Forbes (@Forbes) June 2, 2022
Congrats LeBron. They say the first billion is always the hardest
— Anthony Lima (@SportsBoyTony) June 2, 2022
On principle, I believe billionaires shouldn't exist.
But, to be honest, this is cool. Congrats to LeBron. He's an inspiration. Just a kid from Akron. https://t.co/0mCNIbBqnT
— Corey Johnson (@coreymaurice) June 2, 2022
this put it in perspective how hard it is to be a billionaire, Lebron has been at the pinnacle of sports for 19 years with max contracts plus multiple endorsements from the biggest companies and a lot of good investments. Congrats to the 🐐 https://t.co/kCzSpuTYXP
— mark (@markkmartinezz) June 2, 2022
Where does his money come from?
Aside from sports, he made his money from The Spring Hill Company: $300 million. Fenway Sports Group: $90 million, Real Estate properties: $80 million, Blaze Pizza: $30 million, Miscellaneous investments: $500 million, and more.
The amazing part about all of this is that James manifested this milestone after saying he wanted to become a billionaire in a 2014 interview with GQ. He said at the time:
“If it happens. It’s my biggest milestone. 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 now joins the only other basketball player to be worth 10 figures which is Michael Jordan, who earned that moniker 11 years after he retired when his stake in the Charlotte Hornets increased to 89.5 percent in 2014. Other Black celebrity billionaires include Kanye West, Jay-Z, Oprah Winfrey, Robert F. Smith and more.