LeBron James tops Forbes’ list of the NBA’s highest earners with a pre-tax income of $124.5 million, which includes endorsements, licensing fees and other business endeavors, not to mention the $44.5 million the Los Angeles Lakers will pay the four-time MVP for the upcoming season.
James, who averaged a career-high 30.3 points a game last season at 37, enjoys a $30 million cushion over second-ranked Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors star who tied James in June by winning his fourth NBA title.
The league’s top-10 highest-paid players will earn around $750 million before taxes and agent fees, breaking last year’s unofficial record of $714 million.
James signed a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension back in June. The deal includes a player option for the 2024-2025 season and makes James the NBA’s highest-paid player ever, with $532 million in guaranteed money over his career. Kevin Durant previously held that distinction, with $509 million in guaranteed contracts.
James’ off-court earnings have increased to $80 million, which is one reason Forbes declared him to be the NBA’s first active billionaire back in June.
The 18-time NBA All-Star’s Nike contract remains one of the highest-profile deals in sports, but he’s also added a litany of other sponsors, such as Walmart, GMC, AT&T, and PepsiCo, all of which he can endorse to his 200 million social media followers.
And then there’s the brands he’s personally invested in, like Calm, Ladder/Openfit and Lobos 1707 tequila.
Finally, there are the businesses that James owns with his partners, such as The SpringHill Company, a seven-year-old media and consulting firm that expects to earn more than $100 million in 2022, according to Sportico.
James also has stakes in Liverpool, of the the English Premier League, as well as the Boston Red Sox and their home network, NESN. He recently invested in a Major League Pickleball team.
