LeBron James is arguably one of the best players to embrace the NBA. The 36-year-old star has been in the league for about 18 years and has been the backbone for multiple NBA outfits.
He was an instant success on the court and given his immense popularity, he was an instant target for endorsements from the initial days of his career. Over the years, LeBron himself has grown into a brand, and as of 2020, his net worth is $450 million.
James is not only a genius on the court, but he has been a sensation off the court as well. He has made some intelligent investments in several businesses over the years. We take a look at the top five businesses LeBron James owns.
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5. SpringHill Entertainment
LeBron James, along with his longtime friend, and business partner, Maverick Carter, founded a production company called SpringHill Entertainment.
The company has produced multiple movies, documentaries, and television shows and has collaborated with the likes of Disney and ABC studios for some shows and podcasts.
4. Blaze Pizza
In 2012, LeBron James invested $1 million in a pizza chain called Blaze Pizza and opened two outlets. He even turned down a $15 million extension offer from McDonald’s to invest in Blaze Pizza instead.
As of 2020, his investment has increased forty times, and his equity stake at the company is worth approximately $40 million.
3. Ladder
LeBron James is a physical specimen even at the age of 36. However, in the 2014 finals, we discovered that even LBJ was human. He suffered from severe muscle cramps and none of the supplements he used helped him.
James knew that the supplements available in the market were not of the desired quality. Therefore, he collaborated with his trainer and Arnold Schwarzenegger to form Ladder in 2018.
Digital fitness giant Open fit recently acquired the brand.
2. Uninterrupted
LeBron also owns the popular media company Uninterrupted, which is a unique platform connecting players with their legions of fans. The company produces multiple unique shows where the biggest stars have a platform to be candid.
The biggest success for the company is their show ‘The Shop’. According to the network, the show is “a one-of-a-kind barbershop experience, which for many provides a sanctuary for free-flowing and spirited discussions. The series will visit barbershops around the country to gather distinguished individuals who can speak honestly on sports, music, world events, business and other subjects integral to the culture.”
The wild success of the show has resulted in a recent collaboration with multimedia giant HBO.
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1. Liverpool F.C.
The biggest surprise investment by LeBron James was in 2011, when he invested in English Premier League giants Liverpool F.C. In 2011, the club weren’t in the best of forms. LBJ took the gamble and acquired a 2% stake in the club from majority owners Fenway Sports Group.
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But his risk paid off as the club has turned it around in the last two years, winning the Champions League and the Premier League title. His stake now is worth approximately $40 million.
Needless to say, his off the court genius inspires young prodigies to be intelligent with the huge wealth they earn from an NBA contract.