Source: Kevin Winter / Getty
Lebron James will now be called Billionaire Bron from now on.
The financial bible Forbes reports that LeBron James is now a billionaire. The achievement makes James the first active NBA player to accomplish the milestone while still actively playing. He also joins his idol Michael Jordan as one of the NBA’s billionaires. Rare air indeed.
LeBron James has the GOAT beat in this department because he accomplished it quicker. Michael Jordan didn’t achieve billionaire status until 2014, over a decade after he decided to hang up his Air Jordans.
According to Forbes, the Los Angeles Lakers All-Star and future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer reached billionaire status after he “maximized his business” by generating more than $1.2 billion in pretax earnings. During his tenure with three teams during his 19-year career, Bron Bron has earned $383 million, plus “raked in upwards of $900 million in income from endorsements and other business ventures.”
LeBron James Is Playing Chess, Not Checkers
His lucrative endorsement deals with Nike, AT&T, PepsiCo, and Walmart also helped. According to Forbes, adding that James negotiated the deals in a way that he also received equity in those brands giving him a “cut of the upside instead of a quick paycheck,” insert the Roll Safe gif.
The four-time NBA champion is also invested in Blaze Pizza, Lyft, and fitness startup Tonal. We’re sure you have seen those ads of him working out with the uber-expensive workout machine that hangs on your wall.
According to Forbes, LeBron James getting bit by the acting bug and pitching his flag in Hollywood with his TV and Movie production company SpringHill Entertainment valued at around $300 million, also helped him reach billionaire status. Space Jam: A New Legacy earned $163 million at the box office despite launching on HBO Max and in theaters.
Becoming a billionaire was always one of James’ goals.
“It’s my biggest milestone,” the pro-hooper told GQ in a 2014 interview. “Obviously, I want to maximize my business. And if I happen to get it, if I happen to be a billion-dollar athlete, ho. Hip hip, hooray! Oh, my God, I’m gonna be excited.”
Well, congratulations, Bron Bron, you did it. Can we hold something?
You can peep reactions to LeBron James becoming a billionaire in the gallery below.
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Photo: Kevin Winter / Getty
1. Indeed
Cool to see Bron hit billionaire status as an active player
— J Kirk (@JonKirklandESQ) June 2, 2022
2. Welp
Females dragging men for tweeting about “Billionaire Bron” but be in clubs at 11pm every Friday night, looking for men to pay they car notes, rent and utility bills. https://t.co/Zd7LBCEaVw
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(@StyledTee) June 2, 2022
3. Yup
Bron becoming a billionaire while still playing in the league is nothing short of incredible !! Like, the man came into the league at 18 as the most hyped up player EVER, and exceeded all expectations…
Like give the man his damn flowers !
— Rhodes
(@Rhodesonroad) June 2, 2022
4.
Bron said his mom rent when he was growin up was $17 a month.
To go from that to billionaire is wild man
— OG Slim (@Jody_McFly) June 2, 2022
5.
Bron deserves this. If there’s *any* billionaire that could be called self-made, he is. https://t.co/u3f2XXLNF0
— Arthur G.P.
(UKR+UKR+UKR) (@artisanrocky) June 2, 2022
(@NomarTcam) 
8.
Okay Bron
Let’s see how the Haters downplay Billionaire Status
— In8WeTruzz
HeatIn5
(@Blainey_Montana) June 2, 2022
9.
A Black billionaire that gives back and always helps those less fortunate. We love to see it. Congrats bron https://t.co/8npiR6bzfH
— JS2004 (@JS20044) June 2, 2022
10.
Bron after becoming a billionaire pic.twitter.com/DGg90fMGLr
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) June 2, 2022
11.
Then & Now (2002 & 2022)
LeBron & Savannah James pic.twitter.com/1o4hPw7Kq1— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 2, 2022
12.
LeBron James today officially became the first NBA player to earn a billion dollars. Whether you love or hate this man, you have to be inspired by his journey to success.
Just a kid from Akron
pic.twitter.com/8L2ekrZDtX
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) June 2, 2022