LeBron James is a four-time NBA champion and one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Here is the amount he has made throughout his career, including his net worth, earnings, sponsorships and investments away from the sport.
LeBron James is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, and arguably the NBA’s GOAT. He has four NBA championships to his name, four MVPs and 21 All-Star appearances.
The 41-year-old is the first NBA player to become a billionaire while still active in the league. While he has made hundreds of millions on the court, James’ investments off the court make him one of the most financially successful active athletes of all time.
But how much does James have? Here is everything you need to know about his financial wealth.
LeBron James net worth
According to Forbes, James is worth $1.2b.
Most of his earnings come from his NBA career, which has spanned 22 seasons. James is the first active NBA player to become a billionaire.
How much has LeBron James made from the NBA?
James has earned $528,695,302 in contracts during his NBA career, according to Spotrac.
He earned $48.7m last season to push him over $500m career earnings in the league. He then exercised a $52.6m player option this summer for the upcoming season. That will be James’ highest-earning season of his career.
He has earned $294m during his seven seasons with the LA Lakers.
| Year with LA Lakers (start of season) | Salary |
| 2018 | $35,654,150 |
| 2019 | $37,436,858 |
| 2020 | $39,219,566 |
| 2021 | $41,180,544 |
| 2022 | $44,474,988 |
| 2023 | $47,607,350 |
| 2024 | $48,728,845 |
| 2025 | $52,627,153 |
LeBron James’ sponsorships
James has made over $900 million off the court, according to Forbes estimates, from his business ventures and endorsement deals with brands including Nike. His lifetime Nike sponsorship is reportedly worth $1 billion.
He was an early investor and ambassador for Beats by Dre. He was featured in numerous Samsung promotions, and is also sponsored by Intel.
James was once sponsored by Sprite, but made a switch to PepsiCo in 2021.
In the automotive industry, James has been a brand ambassador for KIA and GMC, featuring in ads for the electric Hummer EV.
Investments made by LeBron James outside of basketball
James is involved in countless investments outside of the NBA.
Perhaps most famous is his investment in Fenway Sports Group, which made him a part-owner in the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool F.C. James has also stated that his goal is to eventually own an NBA team as well, preferably in Las Vegas.
In entertainment, James owns SpringHill Entertainment. SpringHill has produced TV shows such as The Wall and The Shop, and movies such as Hustle starring Adam Sandler and Space Jam: A New Legacy starring James. Forbes has valued SpringHill Entertainment at roughly $300 million.
James is an investor in Blaze Pizza, a fast-growing pizza chain. His initial investment of less than $1 million is now estimated to be worth about $30 million.
What is the LeBron James Family Foundation?
James set up the LeBron James Family Foundation in 2004, a year after he was drafted to the NBA.
The Foundation opened a public elementary school, the I Promise School, which serves more than 1,400 Akron-area students by providing them with programmes, support and mentors they need to succeed in school and beyond.
James has provided $41.8 million in college tuition for more than 1,100 students in the LeBron James Family Foundation.
Outside of the LeBron James Foundation, James has made donations to the Children’s Defense Fund and ONExONE, both of which are dedicated to providing food, water, care and education to children in America and abroad.
In basketball, James is the founder of the LeBron James Basketball League, which provides a safe space for children to play basketball and learn important life skills. He partnered with Nike to create the LeBron James Family Foundation and the I Promise Makeover, which have provided more than 23,000 pairs of shoes to children in need.