Lionel Messi

In the competitive world of athlete earnings, LeBron James, the famous basketball star, has placed himself among the top earners. Athletes’ earnings increased significantly in 2023, with the ten highest-paid sports figures collectively earning $1.11 billion before taxes and agents’ fees over the last 12 months. This amount is a big increase from the previous year’s $990 million and surpasses the 2018 record of $1.06 billion.

LeBron James (Credits: USA TODAY Sports and Reuters)

LeBron James (Credits: USA TODAY Sports and Reuters))

LeBron James, with impressive earnings of $119.5 million, ranks fourth overall but is second in off-field earnings only behind soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. James’ earnings are a total of $44.5 million in revenue from on-field and his heavy $75 million from off-field ventures.

Steph Curry jokes about liking his house more than the White House

Highest-paid players in 2023 according to Forbes

1. LeBron James – $117.6M
2. Steph Curry – $101.9M
3. Kevin Durant – $91.4M
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo – $85.6M

5. Damian Lillard – $63.6M

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)

At 39 years old, James is not just a player but a successful founder and investor. His various business ventures show his entrepreneurship skills. James has investments in the sports nutrition company Ladder, and the SpringHill Company, which develops and produces TV and other entertainment content.

James also has stakes in the Fenway Sports Group, which owns sports teams like the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool FC, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. His investment portfolio extends to the Major League Pickleball team and various other ventures, including the sports apparel brand Mitchell & Ness.

LeBron James net worth in 2023

LeBron James is the first active NBA player to reach billionaire status and has a net worth estimated at $1 billion by Forbes as of June 2022. Born to a young single mother, James overcame a challenging childhood before being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.

James has reportedly earned more than $430 million in pretax salary from his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Miami Heat, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Off the court, James has earned over $900 million (pretax) from business ventures and endorsements with major brands like PepsiCo, Walmart, and Nike. James has often chosen to take equity in brands he represents, including Beats by Dre and Blaze Pizza.

Apart from his business ventures, James is also known for his philanthropy. His LeBron James Family Foundation opened its first elementary school in 2018 and has pledged to spend more than $40 million to send kids to college.

Contractually, James signed a four-year, $153 million deal with the Lakers in 2018, followed by a two-year contract through 2023 worth $85.6 million. His latest contract is another two-year deal worth $99 million. For the 2023-24 season, James is earning a base salary of approximately $47.6 million. His base salary for 2024–2025 is expected to be around $51.4 million. After that, he will be an unrestricted free agent.