NBA World Reacts To LeBron James Earnings News
While LeBron James‘ Los Angeles Lakers fell well short of a repeat NBA Title, it has been a big summer for him otherwise. He starred in the reboot of the popular Space Jam, which has received mixed reviews but has done impressive numbers at the box office.
It is just the latest in a long string of successes for the four-time NBA champion off the court. James owns SpringHill Entertainment, which produced the film along with Warner Brothers. He also has investments in Blaze Pizza, the Uninterrupted platform, Beats Electronics, and both Liverpool FC and the Boston Red Sox.
Throw in his many endorsement deals and nearly $400 million in NBA earnings, and LeBron has made an impressive fortune at just 36 years old. According to Sportico’s Kurt Badenhausen, he’s now eclipsed the $1 billion mark in career earnings. He becomes the first active NBA player to do so.
Michael Jordan is now worth more than $2 billion, but fell short of the $1 billion mark (adjusted for inflation) during his NBA career. We’ll see if LeBron continues to have as successful a post-playing career as MJ has put together.
LeBron is 1st NBA star with $1 billion in career earnings–salary/endorsements–while still active. Next up among current players:
KD: $580 million
Curry: $430 million https://t.co/zrfncDk7Lf via @sportico— Kurt Badenhausen (@kbadenhausen) July 22, 2021
According to Badenhausen, LeBron certainly won’t be the last to achieve this, thanks in large part to the escalating NBA salaries. He cites Luka Doncic, who is set to sign a megadeal at just 22 years old, as someone who could nearly reach the $1 billion mark on salary alone.
Soaring NBA salaries will create a new crop of players earning $1B. Luka Doncic is looking at $700+ million in salary alone by the time he is 36 if remains star & salary cap keeps going👆.
— Kurt Badenhausen (@kbadenhausen) July 22, 2021
It should be made clear that this does not mean LeBron James is worth $1 billion, but he has earned that total during his career, dating back to 2003 when he entered the year. That other distinction is likely in his future as well.
James’ fans are pretty pumped about this news, while others are speculating about which athletes will join him in the coming years.
Bron pic.twitter.com/HKR3K24pvX
— Med🍴um R🥩re (@StickAForkInYou) July 22, 2021
This guy will be a three comma guy soon too. pic.twitter.com/l9qeow7pDA
— Phil R (@pdrobles1983) July 22, 2021
They told him to shut up and dribble, but they forgot that money talks. 😂 https://t.co/EYVGKi8bvD
— Becca Santori (@AboboCreed) July 22, 2021
Y’all see it. LeRich James! No silver spoon, straight out the mud! 💪🏾👑💰 https://t.co/KX9p41fVgV
— Ian Jackson (@GRoddy3x) July 22, 2021
I wonder how much Giannis will make from here out. https://t.co/v8khoLskT8
— mistahnicewatch (@PawVee2k) July 22, 2021
And he’s worth it, talent, character citizenship.: giving back to the community with his academy. Awesome. An all around really great man. https://t.co/T8l03uCOly
— Education is Freedom (@3loudosboys) July 22, 2021
With Space Jam in theaters, LeBron James’ attention turns back towards the upcoming NBA season. We’ve already seen plenty of speculation about star point guards like Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook joining the Lakers. It should be a fun offseason for the rumor mill.
[Sportico]
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