LeBron is one of the wealthiest athletes ever.
LeBron James and wife, Savannah, attend Netflix’s “Hustle” World Premiere at Regency Village Theatre on June 01, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
LeBron has made $432 million during his 20-year NBA career. He also signed a two-year, $97 million extension with the Lakers that will give him $141 million over the next three years. The extension will make James the highest-earning player of all time, with $532 million.
In addition to his NBA salary, LeBron also makes roughly $90 million a year in endorsements off the court.
YouTube/Kia Motors America
The King led all athletes with $126.9 million in on- and off-court earnings in 2021. The following year, he ranked second on the same list — behind World Cup winner Lionel Messi — with $121.2 million total earnings.
Source: Sportico, Forbes
Thanks in large part to his lifetime deal with Nike, LeBron is now a billionaire, according to Forbes.
LeBron James has a lifetime deal with Nike. Visual China Group via Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images
Forbes estimates that he has earned “upwards of $900 million in income from endorsements and other business ventures.”
Source: Forbes
But he is also open about how cheap he can be at times.
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesDespite his expensive tastes when it comes to cars and houses, Dwyane Wade once called James “the cheapest guy in the NBA.”
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
LeBron responded by saying that was “so, so, so, so falsely true.”
Warren Buffett was kinder, saying of LeBron, “He’s savvy. He’s smart about financial matters.”
Warren Buffett speaks onstage during Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on October 13, 2015 in Washington, DC. Paul Morigi/Getty Images
“It’s amazing to me the maturity he exhibits,” the famed investor said of LeBron.
One example is his phone. James won’t use his phone if it is not on wifi.Christian Petersen/Getty Images
“No, I’m not doing that,” LeBron once said. “I’m not turning on data roaming, I’m not buying no apps, I still got Pandora with commercials.”
When Pandora heard that, they offered LeBron a free premium account.
LeBron James. Doug Pensinger/Getty ImagesHe was once spotted riding a bicycle to a game in Miami.
LeBron James rides a bike to work. Twitter/jackNruthLeBron also said he would not pay for a blue checkmark on Twitter.
Twitter owner Elon Musk. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
James referenced his frugality when declining to pay to keep his blue checkmark on the new Elon Musk-helmed Twitter.
“Welp guess my blue ✔️ will be gone soon cause if you know me I ain’t paying the 5,” James wrote on Twitter.
Despite his money savvy, LeBron does have expensive tastes in some areas and also gives a lot of money to charitable endeavors. Check those out here.
LeBron James’ home, which Arana sold to the basketball player for $22.5 million. Marc Angeles /Unlimited Style Photography
