LeBron James proves the revolution will be televised as it was announced that he is the first-ever billionaire still playing in the NBA.
The kid from Akron that has palmed the world with his hands, dunking it emphatically, has done what no other NBA player has ever done, not even his original idol, Michael “Air” Jordan.
The most important part of James making it to this moment isn’t the financial read-out that solidified it for the kingmaker of the billionaire set, Forbes. It’s the fact that James did it his way, uninterrupted, pun intended, and unapologetically Black.
“The One”
James has been touted as “the one” ever since he took St. Vincent-St. Mary High School to three state titles before going straight to the NBA in the 2003 draft.
James has been an MVP in the boardroom with all the professional accolades as a full-time basketball player. The longtime face of the NBA, James, has hoisted his childhood friend Maverick Carter and became friends 20 years ago with Rich Paul.
Called a “posse” once by NBA coaching legend Phil Jackson, James continuously checks the slickness of the narrative of the industry’s most respected figures while building his empire.
Don’t Call Us A Posse. Call Us Future Billionaires.
“To use that label, and if you go and read the definition of what the word ‘posse’ is, it’s not what I’ve built over my career,” James said to Sporting News back in 2016.
“It’s not what I stand for. It’s not what my family stands for. And I believe the only reason he used that word is because it’s young African-Americans trying to make a difference.”
The Ohioans have constructed major entities in media and sports representation. James’ ability to make shrewd investments managed by Carter has driven his net worth and his ubiquity across pop culture.
Imperfect Perfection
Additionally, James is one of the most vocal athletes on social justice and a champion of liberating the authentic voice of athletes. This is his true legacy as the world has never associated the word billionaire with being Black or socially conscious.
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