The Secrets that Helped LeBron James Become a Billionaire (Have Nothing to Do With Playing Basketball)

The Los Angeles Lakers star and NBA legend recently hit his billionaire milestone—making him the first player to join the club while still being active on the courts.

US basketball player LeBron James arrives for Netflix's Los Angeles premiere of "Hustle" held at the Westwood Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif. on June 1, 2022. MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images

By Madeline Garfinkle

LeBron James has a habit of breaking records, and not just on the court. After a particularly profitable year (following an exceptionally successful career thus far), James raked in upwards of $1.2 billion in pretax earnings, giving him a net worth of $1 billion, according to Forbes.

The Los Angeles Lakers star and former Miami Heat legend has officially become the first NBA athlete to hit billionaire status while still playing in the league.

How Did LeBron James Make His Money

Aside from being the NBA’s highest paid player, James has accrued more than $900 million from endorsements and various business ventures. His billionaire status comes from a combination of real estate, various investments, and The Spring Hill Company, a development and production venture co-founded with Maverick Carter.