Earlier this week, NBA star LeBron James announced that he signed a $154 million deal to play for the Los Angeles Lakers for the next four years. It’s incredible to see a man who was raised on welfare become the highest-paid player in the United States with a net worth of about $440 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Although James’ basketball salary is huge, it’s just one way he makes money. The 33-year-old has several side hustles, such as endorsement deals with companies such as Coca-Cola, Samsung and Nike (the latter of which involves a lifetime contract reportedly worth up to $1 billion).
In addition, James is a savvy investor. He owns 17 Blaze Pizza franchises after initially investing just $1 million in the company (it’s now worth $35 million). He also made a $30 million profit after Apple bought Beats Electronics, reports Time. During an interview in 2018, he said the two best financial decisions he made was partnering with Nike and becoming an early backer of Beats headphones.
With all that money at his disposal, where does he spend it all? First, he owns three homes—two in Los Angeles and one in Ohio. In 2015, he bought a $21 million mansion in Brentwood. It has six bedrooms, seven bathrooms and encompasses 9,350-square feet of living space. Two years later he splashed out on a property nearly twice as big in the same neighbourhood. What did he get for $23 million? An estate with eight bedrooms, nine and a half bathrooms, a wine cellar, spa and home theatre. His $9.2 million Ohio home has a bowling alley, aquarium and barbershop.
Every nice home must also have a nice car (or two, or three). James has owned a variety of luxury vehicles, including a Maybach 57S, a Bentley Continental GT, and a Ferrari F430 Spider. Last summer he was spotted driving a $340,000 Rolls-Royce Dawn Drophead Couple with his wife.
James is also a huge wine connoisseur, as fans who follow him on social media know. He routinely spends between $300 and $500 on a bottle, and last year he and Kevin Love indulged in seven bottles worth about $1,200. He’s settled bets with wine and enjoys imbibing with the ones he loves.
The reason James looks so good and is in such great shape is that he spends more than $1 million a year on personal trainers, massage therapists, and chefs. He also owns a hyperbaric chamber and receives special liquid nitrogen treatments, which help reduce inflammation.
The pro athlete is also very generous with his friends, family, and teammates. He’s given his fellow Cavaliers Apple watches, personally engraved life-size shields, and tailored suits. James is also very charitable. He’s donated millions to the Boys & Girls Club and the Muhammad Ali exhibit at the Smithsonian. He also contributed $41 million in scholarships for the University of Akron.
Still, James wasn’t the highest paid athlete over the past 12 months. The top spot goes to boxer Floyd Mayweather, who pulled in $285 million, according to Forbes. Rounding out the top five are European soccer stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, MMA star Conor McGregor, and soccer player Neymar. James nabbed the sixth spot on the list.
