LeBron James has been quite open about his desire to have his own NBA team one day. The 39-year-old seems to have unexpectedly found an opening to do so, as recent reports indicate that the NBA is heading for a major expansion. It will not only grant its television rights to other networks but also add one or two new teams. A report by Fortune from back in July 2024 named the Laker as one of the potential bidders for the Las Vegas expansion team that would likely run up a huge price tag. In case such a favorable situation arises, a former NFL star wants to align with King James and his business dream.

Chad Ochocinco Johnson asked whether he could use LeBron’s influence to get a job in the NBA franchise. The NFL vet indicated that he would be willing to take any job, as long as he could “add it to my resume and diversify my portfolio.” He revealed not being too comfortable in a coaching position and would opt for a more off-court role that allowed him to help efficiently. “Financial Advisor!” he said.

“That’s about the best one. I’m being honest and, as a matter of fact, that’s one I’m really good at. Even though I run around and make jokes, hey a financial advisor, telling you what to do with all your goddamn money, not spend it on these goddamn women,” he continued. Shannon Sharpe highlighted that it’s not going to be an easy task to convince the NBA players, who are earning that much money, about how they can and should spend it. He believes that hoopers know how to control their finances and have been aware of the rich-to-poor stories.

However, Johnson reiterated that his co-host gives basketball players too much credit and that they could certainly use his helping hand. “I’m telling you, it be pretty when it’s (the money) rolling in, and you playing, but you know you’re injury away man,” he continued on Nightcap.

“I can provide NBA players with statistics, and a PowerPoint presentation, to give them a better idea. Because sometimes, you can hear it, and it goes in one ear and out the other, but when you see it, in front of you, with examples, sometimes to get through to you.” There is a reason why Chad Johnson was dubbed ‘the cheapest athlete’ by many of his counterparts. In a separate interview with Shannon Sharpe in Jan 2023, the former player revealed that he had saved up to “80 to 83%” of his NFL salary and that those savings were now benefitting him 11 years after retiring.

In an earlier report by Afrotech, it was revealed that Chad Johnson saved up money by spending his nights at Paul Brown Stadium (now Paycor Stadium) in Cincinnati during his initial playing years. He didn’t move out of his grandmother’s house until his fourth year and would rely on McDonald’s because of the prices being cheap!

If all of that wasn’t enough, Johnson would also wear fake jewelry from Claire’s, would lease the exotic cars in which he was sometimes spotted, and often took budget airlines to save money. Even the desire for expensive watches didn’t cross the athlete’s mind. “Why am I driving a Rolls Royce when I’m Ocho? Why am I buying a $50,000-$80,000 watch? Time is free, so what am I paying for?” Johnson once told Shannon Sharpe. “There’s nothing I can buy that’s bigger than my name alone.”

With such a conservative mindset, there would be no better person to instruct active NBA athletes on their spending habits, wouldn’t it? While surely none of them would opt to sleep in stadiums to save money, they can still learn something new by absorbing lessons from Chad Johnson’s journey. However, if he wants to make his dream of working alongside LeBron James a reality, then he will have to let the NBA player spend exorbitantly at least once!

Despite a $7 billion price tag, LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal would likely pursue the Las Vegas team

The last time that Adam Silver expanded the league to add new teams was back in 2002, through which the New Orleans Pelicans (then known as the New Orleans Hornets) came into being. In a Feb 2024 interview on The Pat McAfee Show, the NBA commissioner confirmed that Las Vegas now stands as a potential home for the NBA. Even two years before the interview, however, LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal had displayed an interest in the team acquisition.

Back in 2022, the Lakers star went on to say, “I wanna own a team. Yeah, I want to buy a team, for sure. I would much rather own a team before I talk (about the game). I want to own a team in Vegas. Yeah, I want the team in Vegas. It’s the best fan base in the world and I would love to bring a team here… I want a team here, Adam, thank you.”

Shaquille O’Neal also shared his thoughts on the Las Vegas Expansion, stating, “I would definitely like to… Whatever team is available.” While the former NBA player previously held a minority stake in the Sacramento Kings, he had to let go of the same after developing a partnership with the betting platform partnership WynnBET.

The road to acquisition will not be easy for both. According to a Bloomberg report, after including the expansion fee, the construction of a new stadium, and all additional expenditures, the Las Vegas team will be the most expensive franchise in US history, with the amount estimated to be $7 billion. While LeBron James was the first member of the NBA fraternity, and the only active one currently, to become a billionaire, he wouldn’t manage to buy the team without additional help. Reports state that he may partner with Red Bull.

What do you think will happen? Let us know in the comments below.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.