LeBron James among highest-paid athletes with $119-million income

U.S. basketball player and one of the world’s richest Black individuals, LeBron James, who is widely considered one of the greatest NBA Players in history, reportedly garnered a whopping $119.5 million in earnings between the periods of May 1, 2022, and May 1, 2023.

James’ earnings, while lower than the previous year’s $121.2 million, consist of on-field earnings of $44.5 million in prize money, salaries, and bonuses, as well as off-field earnings of $76 million from sponsorship deals, appearance fees, memorabilia, and licensing income.

According to Forbes’ latest rankings, the esteemed athlete in question has raked in an impressive $119.5 million, placing him fourth among the highest-paid sports stars globally.  Notably, only three football luminaries, namely Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo, outpaced his earnings, garnering $120 million, $136 million, and $130 million, respectively.

Beyond the proceeds derived from his brand endorsements and sponsorship contracts, James, who became the first active athlete to attain billionaire status in June 2022, has a stake in sports nutrition firm Ladder and serves as a key figure at the SpringHill Company, which produces and develops television and other entertainment content.

Earlier this year, James’ net worth surged by $150 million, propelling the NBA superstar back to the exclusive billionaire club with a fortune now standing at $1 billion. The surge is attributed to his diversified investment portfolio and highly profitable endorsement agreements.

In 2022, James made a shrewd business move by selling a sizable minority stake in, SpringHill, at a valuation of about $725 million. The strategic move propelled his estimated net worth to $850 million.

He invested a portion of these proceeds into Tonal, a home gym company, and StatusPRO, a sports tech startup that designs virtual reality training products. Additionally, he became a co-owner of A.C. Milan, an Italian football club.