LeBron James is now a billionaire — here's how he makes and spends his millions

Cork Gaines,Meredith Cash,Scott DavisNov 23, 2022, 20:09 IST

Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

LeBron James is a four-time champion, four-time MVP, 18-time All-Star, and soon to be the highest-paid NBA player of all time.
James signed a two-year, $97 million contract with the Lakers that will pay him $50 million in 2024-25.
King James has amassed amazing cars and houses and still has time for his surprisingly ordinary family. He has also achieved his goal of becoming a billion-dollar athlete.

Tony Manfred and Emmett Knowlton contributed to this report.

LeBron James is one of the most accomplished players in NBA history. He's also one of the wealthiest.

Getty/John McCoy

LeBron has made $432 million during his 20-year NBA career. He also signed a two-year, $97 million extension with the Lakers, that will give him $141 million over the next three years.

David Zalubowski/AP Images

LeBron has made $432 million during his 20-year NBA career. He also signed a two-year, $97 million extension with the Lakers, that will give him $141 million over the next three years.

The extension will make James the highest-earning player of all time, with $532 million.

Mark J. Terrill/AP Images

But in addition to his NBA salary, LeBron also makes roughly $90 million a year in endorsements off the court. He led all athletes with $126.9 million in on- and off-court earnings in 2021.

YouTube/Kia Motors America

But in addition to his NBA salary, LeBron also makes roughly $90 million a year in endorsements off the court. He led all athletes with $126.9 million in on- and off-court earnings in 2021.

His endorsements include AT&T, Walmart, Intel, Kia, and more.

AT&T

He has a longtime sponsorship with Beats by Dre and even gifted headphones from the brand to players on his favorite college football team.

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

He also has a monster deal with Nike. The company signed him to a seven-year, $93 million deal right out of high school.

REUTERS/Ron Kuntz RK

And in December 2015, Nike signed him to a lifetime deal that will go far beyond the standard shoe endorsement and is expected to be worth $1 billion.

Visual China Group via Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images

They even built a building for LeBron and his logo is found everywhere.

Nike

Thanks in large part to his Nike deal, LeBron is now officially a billionaire, according to Forbes, with a net worth of exactly $1 billion. They estimate that he has earned "upwards of $900 million in income from endorsements and other business ventures."

Fishermen Labs' Nike x LeBron James AR lens for SnapchatFishermen Labs

Thanks in large part to his Nike deal, LeBron is now officially a billionaire, according to Forbes, with a net worth of exactly $1 billion. They estimate that he has earned "upwards of $900 million in income from endorsements and other business ventures."

He's active on Instagram. It's estimated that he makes about $428,000 per sponsored Instagram post.

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

James used to have an endorsement deal with McDonald's, but he gave up $15 million in choosing not to renew it in 2017.

Brandon McNulty/McDonald's/YouTube

Instead, he became a spokesman for Blaze Pizza, a company where he was a founding investor.

Screenshot via Blaze Pizza/YouTube

He made a similar move in 2021 when he left longtime sponsor Coca-Cola — or Sprite — for a deal with rival PepsiCo and its Mountain Dew brand.

Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for Sprite

James is an investor in Lobos 1707 tequila. He likes to carry around a bottle in a custom leather satchel designed by Sheron Barber.

LeBron James (center) with Sheron Barber (right)TBG Press Team (The Brand Guild)

Economists have estimated he was worth as much as $500 million to the city of Cleveland. So when he left the Cavaliers to join the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 2018, it was a huge blow.

AP Photo/Mark Duncan

Economists have estimated he was worth as much as $500 million to the city of Cleveland. So when he left the Cavaliers to join the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 2018, it was a huge blow.

He's also quite the businessman himself.

Getty/Doug Pensinger

He owns a piece of Liverpool FC, the esteemed English Premier League club. LeBron bought a 2% stake in the team for about $6.5 million.

Liverpool FC

His share has grown to be worth about $32 million.

AP Images

He doubled down in 2021, buying into Fenway Sports Group (Liverpool FC's parent) to become a part-owner of the Boston Red Sox. He was previously an outspoken fan of the Red Sox's bitter rivals — the New York Yankees.

REUTERS/Adam Hunger

He doubled down in 2021, buying into Fenway Sports Group (Liverpool FC's parent) to become a part-owner of the Boston Red Sox. He was previously an outspoken fan of the Red Sox's bitter rivals — the New York Yankees.

Warren Buffett said of LeBron, "He's savvy. He's smart about financial matters. It's amazing to me the maturity he exhibits."

Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

In 2015, LeBron's media venture, Uninterrupted, got $16 million from Warner Bros.

Duane Prokop/Getty

James started a production company called SpringHill. He sold a "significant" stake in a deal where it was valued at $725 million.

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

SpringHill produced "Space Jam: A New Legacy," which he also starred in.

Warner Bros.

LeBron got into a bizarre feud with Nick Saban over the rights to air a show that involves people talking about current events in a barbershop.

Uninterrupted

He and Arnold Schwarzenegger are part of a group that invested in Georgetown Company and Bill Ackman's office building in Hell's Kitchen, a neighborhood in NYC.

Google Maps

Despite persistent rumors that LeBron owns a stake in Klutch Sports Agency with his longtime friend, Rich Paul, the NBA says that is not the case.

Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Remy Martin

He also helped design a $51,000 watch.

Youtube Screen Grab

All that savvy has allowed him to buy some sweet toys. At one point, he and Dwyane Wade have matching Porsches. It's unclear who had which color.

@dwyanewade

He also owns a Rolls-Royce Phantom with TVs in the seats.

Instagram/LeBron James

And he bought his mom a Porsche for her birthday.

Instagram/LeBron James

And a Ferrari Testarossa for his wife.

Instagram

But he insists that he drives a Kia, even to work. But to be fair, his custom K900 luxury sedan is not your typical Kia.

YouTube/Cleveland.com

Even the wheels have his personal logo.

YouTube/Cleveland.com

But he does own a Ferrari.

The World Cars/YouTube

James also promoted the Hummer EV, the first electric Hummer.

via GMC/YouTube

He appears to own a Porsche 918 Spyder.

YouTube/TheSuperCarSquad

And a Ferrari.

IG/LeBron James

LeBron also has a much bigger vehicle with customized headrests and a big-screen TV on which he likes to watch Tom & Jerry.

Instagram

When he joined the Miami Heat, he bought a $9 million home in Coconut Grove. He sold it for a $4 million profit.

Obeo

He also owns a 30,000-square-foot compound in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. In the past, he's hosted Thanksgiving there for his entire team.

Instagram/LeBron James

And in 2017 he purchased a $23 million mansion in Los Angeles that has 10 bedrooms and an onyx bar.

Trulia

Despite all the spending, Dwyane Wade once called James "the cheapest guy in the NBA." LeBron said that was "so, so, so, so falsely true."

ESPN/YouTube

James won't even use his phone if it is not on wifi: "No, I'm not doing that. I'm not turning on data roaming, I'm not buying no apps, I still got Pandora with commercials."

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

James won't even use his phone if it is not on wifi: "No, I'm not doing that. I'm not turning on data roaming, I'm not buying no apps, I still got Pandora with commercials."

When Pandora heard that, they offered LeBron a free premium account.

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

But LeBron isn't cheap when it comes to keeping himself in proper basketball shape, as he reportedly spends more than $1.5 million per year just to take care of his body.

Instagram

But LeBron isn't cheap when it comes to keeping himself in proper basketball shape, as he reportedly spends more than $1.5 million per year just to take care of his body.

One of the ways he splurges on his own body is by using a controversial cryotherapy chamber, which exposes the body to temperatures of -150 to -290 degrees Fahrenheit to relieve pain and enhance muscle recovery. He was one of the first NBA players to use one.

An image from an Entertainment Tonight report on cryotherapy.Youtube/Entertainment Tonight

One of the ways he splurges on his own body is by using a controversial cryotherapy chamber, which exposes the body to temperatures of -150 to -290 degrees Fahrenheit to relieve pain and enhance muscle recovery. He was one of the first NBA players to use one.

He also employs a former Navy SEAL who serves as his biomechanist, a recovery coach, personal chefs, and masseuses. And he apparently works out with Mark Wahlberg.

Instagram

LeBron has a full gym, an ice tub, and a hot tub.

Instagram

Former teammate Mike Miller: "Where a lot of people don't do it, he puts a lot of money behind taking care of his body. A lot of people think it's a big expense, but that big expense has allowed him to make a lot more money for a long period of time."

Tony Dejak/AP

Former teammate Mike Miller: "Where a lot of people don't do it, he puts a lot of money behind taking care of his body. A lot of people think it's a big expense, but that big expense has allowed him to make a lot more money for a long period of time."

LeBron also uses one of the most exclusive tattoo artists in the country, Bang Bang Tattoos in New York City, which charges a minimum of $500 per hour. Keith "Bang Bang" McCurdy's other customers include Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Katy Perry.

Bang Bang

LeBron also uses one of the most exclusive tattoo artists in the country, Bang Bang Tattoos in New York City, which charges a minimum of $500 per hour. Keith "Bang Bang" McCurdy's other customers include Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Katy Perry.

His lavish purchases aren't just for himself. He bought his wife Savannah Brinson an engagement ring reportedly worth $300,000.

Instagram/LeBron James

He also helped arrange to get former Knicks head coach David Fizdale into a Samsung commercial as a wedding gift. Fizdale even got paid, calling it "a nice little check for an assistant coach."

SamsungUSA

He also helped arrange to get former Knicks head coach David Fizdale into a Samsung commercial as a wedding gift. Fizdale even got paid, calling it "a nice little check for an assistant coach."

LeBron and Savannah are high-school sweethearts, and they have three kids together.

Instagram

Their wedding was a three-day party in San Diego.

Instagram/LeBron James

They went to Italy for their honeymoon.

Instagram/LeBron James

And later traveled to Greece.

instagram/LeBron James

Savannah opened a juice bar in Miami when James was still with the Heat.

@kingjames

LeBron Jr., better known as Bronny, is turning into quite the ballplayer himself. LeBron has said that it's his goal to play in the NBA with his son.

LeBron James wants to play with Bronny.Jay LaPrete/AP Images

LeBron has become a bit of a fashion icon. Well, most of the time. The other times he wears Christmas pajamas that are too small.

Instagram

The only time we really see him let loose is when he wins something, like when he wore this awesome fang shirt at a nightclub after the Heat won the title in 2012...

YouTube

Even superstars need to relax from time to time.

Instagram

And like many in the NBA, LeBron has become a big fan of the vino.

Instagram

He's also been known to take costume parties seriously. He once made a cameo as Prince and did a decent "Purple Rain" lip sync.

screengrab via Instagram

But in general, he keeps himself out of the gossip pages. He even rode his bike to a game when he played in Miami.

Twitter/jackNruth

He likes bikes so much that he Maverick Carter's LRMR Ventures purchased a 4% stake in Canyon Bicycles for $30 million.

YouTube/Canyon Bicycles

But LeBron has employed his wealth and business savvy for causes bigger than just himself and his loved ones.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

In 2018, James opened the I Promise School, a fully-funded public elementary school in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, that primarily serves at-risk children.

AP Photo/Phil Long

And he's poured his efforts into "More Than a Vote," a campaign that encourages voting. The organization even has merchandise, which James rocked before a 2020 playoff game.

KingJames/Instagram

And he's poured his efforts into "More Than a Vote," a campaign that encourages voting. The organization even has merchandise, which James rocked before a 2020 playoff game.

Now check out the house Michael Jordan is struggling to sell:

Concierge Auctions; Stephan Savoia/AP

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LeBron James is now a billionaire &mdash; here's how he makes and spends his millions

LeBron James is one of the most accomplished players in NBA history. He's also one of the wealthiest.

LeBron has made $432 million during his 20-year NBA career. He also signed a two-year, $97 million extension with the Lakers, that will give him $141 million over the next three years.

The extension will make James the highest-earning player of all time, with $532 million.

But in addition to his NBA salary, LeBron also makes roughly $90 million a year in endorsements off the court. He led all athletes with $126.9 million in on- and off-court earnings in 2021.

His endorsements include AT&T, Walmart, Intel, Kia, and more.

He has a longtime sponsorship with Beats by Dre and even gifted headphones from the brand to players on his favorite college football team.

He also has a monster deal with Nike. The company signed him to a seven-year, $93 million deal right out of high school.

And in December 2015, Nike signed him to a lifetime deal that will go far beyond the standard shoe endorsement and is expected to be worth $1 billion.

They even built a building for LeBron and his logo is found everywhere.

Thanks in large part to his Nike deal, LeBron is now officially a billionaire, according to Forbes, with a net worth of exactly $1 billion. They estimate that he has earned "upwards of $900 million in income from endorsements and other business ventures."

He's active on Instagram. It's estimated that he makes about $428,000 per sponsored Instagram post.

James used to have an endorsement deal with McDonald's, but he gave up $15 million in choosing not to renew it in 2017.

Instead, he became a spokesman for Blaze Pizza, a company where he was a founding investor.

He made a similar move in 2021 when he left longtime sponsor Coca-Cola — or Sprite — for a deal with rival PepsiCo and its Mountain Dew brand.

James is an investor in Lobos 1707 tequila. He likes to carry around a bottle in a custom leather satchel designed by Sheron Barber.

Economists have estimated he was worth as much as $500 million to the city of Cleveland. So when he left the Cavaliers to join the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 2018, it was a huge blow.

He's also quite the businessman himself.

He owns a piece of Liverpool FC, the esteemed English Premier League club. LeBron bought a 2% stake in the team for about $6.5 million.

His share has grown to be worth about $32 million.

He doubled down in 2021, buying into Fenway Sports Group (Liverpool FC's parent) to become a part-owner of the Boston Red Sox. He was previously an outspoken fan of the Red Sox's bitter rivals — the New York Yankees.

Warren Buffett said of LeBron, "He's savvy. He's smart about financial matters. It's amazing to me the maturity he exhibits."

In 2015, LeBron's media venture, Uninterrupted, got $16 million from Warner Bros.

James started a production company called SpringHill. He sold a "significant" stake in a deal where it was valued at $725 million.

SpringHill produced "Space Jam: A New Legacy," which he also starred in.

LeBron got into a bizarre feud with Nick Saban over the rights to air a show that involves people talking about current events in a barbershop.

He and Arnold Schwarzenegger are part of a group that invested in Georgetown Company and Bill Ackman's office building in Hell's Kitchen, a neighborhood in NYC.

Despite persistent rumors that LeBron owns a stake in Klutch Sports Agency with his longtime friend, Rich Paul, the NBA says that is not the case.

He also helped design a $51,000 watch.

All that savvy has allowed him to buy some sweet toys. At one point, he and Dwyane Wade have matching Porsches. It's unclear who had which color.

He also owns a Rolls-Royce Phantom with TVs in the seats.

And he bought his mom a Porsche for her birthday.

And a Ferrari Testarossa for his wife.

But he insists that he drives a Kia, even to work. But to be fair, his custom K900 luxury sedan is not your typical Kia.

Even the wheels have his personal logo.

But he does own a Ferrari.

James also promoted the Hummer EV, the first electric Hummer.

He appears to own a Porsche 918 Spyder.

And a Ferrari.

LeBron also has a much bigger vehicle with customized headrests and a big-screen TV on which he likes to watch Tom & Jerry.

When he joined the Miami Heat, he bought a $9 million home in Coconut Grove. He sold it for a $4 million profit.

He also owns a 30,000-square-foot compound in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. In the past, he's hosted Thanksgiving there for his entire team.

And in 2017 he purchased a $23 million mansion in Los Angeles that has 10 bedrooms and an onyx bar.

Despite all the spending, Dwyane Wade once called James "the cheapest guy in the NBA." LeBron said that was "so, so, so, so falsely true."

James won't even use his phone if it is not on wifi: "No, I'm not doing that. I'm not turning on data roaming, I'm not buying no apps, I still got Pandora with commercials."

When Pandora heard that, they offered LeBron a free premium account.

But LeBron isn't cheap when it comes to keeping himself in proper basketball shape, as he reportedly spends more than $1.5 million per year just to take care of his body.

One of the ways he splurges on his own body is by using a controversial cryotherapy chamber, which exposes the body to temperatures of -150 to -290 degrees Fahrenheit to relieve pain and enhance muscle recovery. He was one of the first NBA players to use one.

He also employs a former Navy SEAL who serves as his biomechanist, a recovery coach, personal chefs, and masseuses. And he apparently works out with Mark Wahlberg.

LeBron has a full gym, an ice tub, and a hot tub.

Former teammate Mike Miller: "Where a lot of people don't do it, he puts a lot of money behind taking care of his body. A lot of people think it's a big expense, but that big expense has allowed him to make a lot more money for a long period of time."

LeBron also uses one of the most exclusive tattoo artists in the country, Bang Bang Tattoos in New York City, which charges a minimum of $500 per hour. Keith "Bang Bang" McCurdy's other customers include Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Katy Perry.

His lavish purchases aren't just for himself. He bought his wife Savannah Brinson an engagement ring reportedly worth $300,000.

He also helped arrange to get former Knicks head coach David Fizdale into a Samsung commercial as a wedding gift. Fizdale even got paid, calling it "a nice little check for an assistant coach."

LeBron and Savannah are high-school sweethearts, and they have three kids together.

Their wedding was a three-day party in San Diego.

They went to Italy for their honeymoon.

And later traveled to Greece.

Savannah opened a juice bar in Miami when James was still with the Heat.

LeBron Jr., better known as Bronny, is turning into quite the ballplayer himself. LeBron has said that it's his goal to play in the NBA with his son.

LeBron has become a bit of a fashion icon. Well, most of the time. The other times he wears Christmas pajamas that are too small.

The only time we really see him let loose is when he wins something, like when he wore this awesome fang shirt at a nightclub after the Heat won the title in 2012...

Even superstars need to relax from time to time.

And like many in the NBA, LeBron has become a big fan of the vino.

He's also been known to take costume parties seriously. He once made a cameo as Prince and did a decent "Purple Rain" lip sync.

But in general, he keeps himself out of the gossip pages. He even rode his bike to a game when he played in Miami.

He likes bikes so much that he Maverick Carter's LRMR Ventures purchased a 4% stake in Canyon Bicycles for $30 million.

But LeBron has employed his wealth and business savvy for causes bigger than just himself and his loved ones.

In 2018, James opened the I Promise School, a fully-funded public elementary school in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, that primarily serves at-risk children.

And he's poured his efforts into "More Than a Vote," a campaign that encourages voting. The organization even has merchandise, which James rocked before a 2020 playoff game.

Now check out the house Michael Jordan is struggling to sell:

LeBron James is now a billionaire — here's how he makes and spends his millions