During his remarkable 19-year career, LeBron James has received four NBA MVP honors, four NBA titles, and eighteen All-Star nominations. After accepting a two-year, US$97 million contract deal with the Lakers, his impressive resume has paid off handsomely, positioning him to become the highest-paid player of all time.
Off the court, he is just as unrelenting. He just inked a lifetime endorsement contract with Nike worth over US$1 billion, a move so significant it almost feels like the union of two businesses.
LeBron James is set to become the highest-paid NBA player ever. Photo: @kingjames/Instagram
James has accumulated incredible cars and homes as a result of his success both on and off the court, and he still finds time for his surprisingly simple family. According to CNBC, King James has achieved his ambition of becoming a billionaire athlete, with a current net worth of US$1.2 billion.See below for his spending habits.
He will be the highest-paid NBA player of all time
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks with the media in September 2021 at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California, during a media day. Los Angeles Times/TNS photoAmong the most successful players in NBA history is LeBron James. He’s also among the richest. During his 19-year NBA career, he has earned US$387.3 million.
LeBron James, forward with the Los Angeles Lakers. Image: AP ImageIn 2024–2025, he inked a two-year, US$97 million contract extension with the Lakers. With US$141 million in earnings over the following three years, he will become the highest-paid player in history with US$532 million.
He has secured lucrative endorsement deals
LeBron James wearing Beats by Dre. Photo: LeBron James/Facebook
But aside from his NBA contract, James earned almost US$90 million from off-court endorsement deals. With on-and off-court earnings of US$126.9 million in 2021, he earned more than any other athlete. In addition to Walmart, Intel, Kia, and other companies, he has long been sponsored by Beats by Dre.
LeBron James Photo: @lebron/Instagram
He also has an incredible contract with Nike. Straight out of high school, he signed a seven-year, US$93 million contract with the corporation. Additionally, Nike inked him to a lifetime contract in December 2015 that is estimated to be worth US$1 billion and will go much beyond the typical shoe endorsement.
James once had a sponsorship agreement with McDonald’s, but he decided not to renew it in 2017 at the cost of US$15 million. Rather, he started working as a spokesperson for Blaze Pizza, a business he helped develop.
The basketball player is a frequent user of Instagram. He reportedly earns $428,00 USD with each sponsored Instagram post.
He’s also quite the businessman himself
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. Photo: USA Today Sports
LeBron owns a portion of the prestigious English Premier League team Liverpool FC. For roughly US$6.5 million, he purchased a 2% share in the squad, and his ownership has since increased in value to approximately US$32 million.
LeBron James is a part-owner for the Boston Red Sox. Photo: @BostonStrong_34/Twitter
In 2021, he made a bold move by investing in Fenway Sports Group, which allowed him to acquire a stake in the Boston Red Sox. Despite the fact that he had previously openly supported the New York Yankees, the Red Sox’s fierce rivals.
LeBron James with Bugs Bunny in Space Jam: A New Legacy. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures/TNS
Warner Bros. gave LeBron’s media company, Uninterrupted, US$16 million in 2015. In a transaction valued at US$725 million, he also sold a “significant” part in the production firm he founded, Springhill. He starred in Space Jam: A New Legacy, which was produced by Springhill.
He spends his fortune on luxury cars and houses
LeBron James’ Mercedes-Benz Maybach 57S. Photo: @kingjames/Instagram
Bron has a Rolls-Royce Phantom with TVs in the seats, a Lamborghini Aventador Roadster, a Mercedes-Benz Maybach 57S, a Ferrari, and a Porsche 918 Spyder. In addition, he got his wife a Ferrari Testarossa and his mother a Porsche for her birthday.
According to LeBron James, he frequently drives a special Kia K900 luxury vehicle. Image: A Kia SorentoNevertheless, he is adamant that he drives a Kia—even to work. To be fair, though, his customized K900 luxury automobile isn’t your average Kia—in fact, his personal emblem is even on the wheels.
LeBron James’ mansion. Photo: @erealty/Twitter
In Coconut Grove, he purchased a US$9 million mansion before joining the Miami Heat. After making a US$4 million profit on its sale, he invested US$23 million to purchase a Los Angeles estate with 10 bedrooms and an onyx bar in 2017. In his native Akron, Ohio, he also owns a 30,000 square foot complex.
The cheapest guy in the NBA?
LeBron James, then No 23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers, arrives for game one of the 2018 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in May 2018, in Oakland, California. Photo: Getty Images
Dwyane Wade once referred to James as “the cheapest guy in the NBA” despite all of the expenditure. That was “so, so, so, so falsely true,” according to LeBron.
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Twitter @CBSSportsNBA
If his phone isn’t connected to wifi, James won’t even use it: “No, I’m not doing that.” I’m not purchasing any apps, I’m not using data roaming, yet Pandora is still playing ads. Pandora gave LeBron a complimentary premium account after learning about it.
He spends money on taking care of his body
LeBron James invests a lot of money in fitness, of course. Photo: @kingjames/Instagram
But James isn’t cheap when it comes to maintaining his physical condition for basketball; it’s been estimated that he spends more than US$1.5 million year on medical care.
James during his contentious cryotherapy session. Twitter/@HubieTalksHoops/PictureAmong his indulgences in self-indulgence is the use of a contentious cryotherapy chamber for pain relief and improved muscle repair. In addition, he has a rehabilitation coach, personal chefs, masseuses, and a former Navy Seal who acts as his biomechanist. Also, it seems that he exercises with Mark Wahlberg.
Then, in July 2014, during a media appearance in Taipei, Taiwan, NBA player LeBron James, center right, displays his tattoo while he interacts with his supporters. Image: AP ImageJames also pays a minimum of US$500 per hour to one of the most exclusive tattoo artists in the nation, Bang Bang Tattoos in New York City.
He splurges on his wife and his assistant coach too
LeBron James and Savannah, his spouse. Image sourced from InstagramBut he doesn’t buy these ostentatious items for himself. He allegedly spent US$300,000 on an engagement diamond for his wife, Savannah Brinson. San Diego hosted a three-day celebration for their wedding. After their honeymoon in Italy, they continued on to Greece.
He has employed his wealth for bigger causes
LeBron James and Savannah, his spouse. Image sourced from InstagramBut he doesn’t buy these ostentatious items for himself. He allegedly spent US$300,000 on an engagement diamond for his wife, Savannah Brinson. San Diego hosted a three-day celebration for their wedding. After their honeymoon in Italy, they continued on to Greece.
In October 2020, in the midst of the global Covid-19 outbreak, a billboard outside the Staples Center, a sports stadium in Los Angeles, California, featuring NBA player LeBron James urging people to vote, is displayed. Image courtesy of ReutersAdditionally, he has dedicated his time and energy to the “More Than a Vote” initiative, which promotes voting in the US. Before a 2020 playoff game, James rocked the organization’s merchandise.