LeBron James’ Net Worth in 2018: King James on the Path to Beating Michael Jordan

LeBron James is well on his way to becoming the richest athlete in the world. He’s already the King on the court in terms of game and wealth. Since he stepped into the NBA in 2003, he has been compared to Michael Jordan. We’ll never know how the King and His Airness match up on the court, but one thing is sure: James makes more on the court than Jordan did. He’s already close to becoming a billionaire with a $400.0 million net worth. Take a look at LeBron James’ career in numbers here.

How Much Did LeBron James Make from the NBA?

• James was born on December 30, 1984 in Ohio, when his mother was 16. She raised him as a single mother, struggling with financial instability. His high school basketball skills caught the attention of NBA scouts and he was the first high school basketball underclassman to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
• When he was 18, he violated the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) guidelines that stated no amateur may accept any gift valued over $100 as a reward for athletic performance. His mother gifted him a Hummer and two throwback jerseys worth $845 from an urban clothing store.
• A season after Michael Jordan retired, James was the first overall pick of the 2003 NBA draft by his home team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was paid over $4.0 million in his rookie season.
• He rose to superstardom in the league with his ability to play all five positions and was named MVP four times in his career. He played from 2010 to 2014 with Miami Heat before returning to Cavaliers where he still plays.
• He has the knack to negotiate short-term deals that maximize his earnings potential and flexibility. He opted out of contracts and resigned new ones to take advantage of the NBA’s rising salary cap.
• His salary puts him in league with Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as a top-earner. Even counting inflation, James earns way more per game than Jordan did during his career.

Check out LeBron James’ NBA career earnings below:

• He built a major endorsement portfolio which includes Coca-Cola, Intel, Verizon Beats by Dre and Kia Motor. His lifetime deal with Nike to sell James’ signature shoes is set to make him $1.0 billion rich soon.
• He’s also built his wealth with savvy investments. He’s an original investor in Blaze Pizza, owning 11 franchises in Miami and Chicago. James and his partners collectively invested $1.0 million into the chain which is now worth 25 times more. He also owned 1% of Beats by Dre before it was bought by Apple.
• He branched into Hollywood by setting up production house, SpringHill Entertainment and multi-platform media company Uninterrupted which got a $15.8 million investment from Time Warner.
• He’s a regular appearance in Forbes, and is currently ranked #2 among their “World’s Highest Paid Athletes” and #10 in their “Celebrity 100” lists. He was named as a “30 Under 30-All Star Alumni” and one of the “Richest Entrepreneurs Under 40” with his off-the-court activities.
• Despite his big earnings, the King is infamously notorious within the league for his frugal habits.
• He may not pay for data unless he has wifi, but he drives around in luxury. His car collection boasts every expensive car brand, from a Mercedes, to Maybach with a Ferrari and Camaro in between.