LEBRON JAMES BECOMES THE NBA’S FIRST ACTIVE BILLIONAIRE
LeBron James has officially become a billionaire, according to Forbes. Making James the first active NBA player to reach the milestone, and the second NBA player to reach billionaire status, joining retired basketball star Michael Jordan.
James, a small forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, is the NBA’s highest-paid player, earning $121 million dollars last year on and off-court. He landed the number two spot on Forbes’ 10 Highest-Paid Athletes of 2022 list, following Lionel Messi, who snagged the number one spot.
Overall, James has made $387 million from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers, and raked in another $900 million from other ventures and endorsements, such as a lifetime Nike sponsorship, Blaze pizza franchises, and owning a video production company, bringing his pre-tax earnings to over $1.2 billion.
LEBRON JAMES APPRECIATES HIS WIFE
LeBron James isn’t shy about how he feels for his wife! The NBA star frequently lets social media users know that his wife makes his world go ’round. And he brought that same energy to his Instagram page on Saturday morning with an appreciation post for Savannah James.
“Quick letter to my Queen, simply just letting you know that I appreciate you more than this world has to offer,” LeBron wrote. Been my [rock emoticon] holding this sh*t down from the very first jump ball!! With all the BS that comes into our lives throughout the years and on the daily you’ve never waved, fluttered, or allow yourself to simply not be strong for me, us but more importantly YOU!”
The couple’s love story began during their teenage years. LeBron reached out to a mutual friend asking for Savannah’s number, but she took his digits instead, per Good Housekeeping. One day, she decided to give him a call and the rest is part of their origin story–one which LeBron appreciates. In 2018, he echoed a message to The Hollywood Reporter with similar language to Saturday’s compliments.
“[Savannah] was down when I was at my high school, no cameras, no lights. And she was there with me. You wouldn’t be talking to me right now if it weren’t for her,” LeBron said.
LeBron sealed his love note with a few words about Savannah’s contributions to his success in life.
“Where would I be today w/o you I think to myself quite often. The answer usually comes back to ‘not even close to where you would have wanted to be in life!’ This is my appreciation post to you my Queen because I’m simply letting you and the world know I ain’t sh*t without you! All I need in this life of sin is me and my girlfriend aka best friend aka wife! Love, King”
HOW THIS LOVE STORY STARTED
LeBron and Savannah met in high school, although they both weren’t at the same high school. While LeBron was playing basketball for his school, Savannah was a cheerleader for the rival school. As per Cleveland magazine, it was Savannah who made the first move and one day just texted him out of boredom.
She quoted to the magazine “ One day I’m sitting around—I was probably bored or something—and I’m like, ‘Oh, I forgot! I have this number for this guy that I can call. He seemed interested, so let’s see.” LeBron took her to Outback Steakhouse for their first date.
BREAKING THE GENERATIONAL CURSE
James, an Ohio native, had a difficult childhood, as his young mother struggled to make ends meet. With the small amount of money he did have, James made sure to always put some aside, thanks to a money lesson from his uncles.
Lebron James is such a family man. Despite never meeting his father and not knowing who his father is James has built a legacy of love and family.
Savannah & Lebron have three children, 2 sons: LeBron ‘Bronny’ James Jr, Bryce and 1 daughter: Zhuri. The news of Savannah being pregnant also came around when LeBron was drafted as the number 1 pick. They then got married after 12 years of being together in 2013. Their daughter was born after the first year of their marriage.
