This weekend was the anniversary of when LeBron James signed his first deal with Nike in 2003. He was just 18 years old at the time, and nearly two decades later, their relationship has become one of the most lucrative partnerships in sports history.
In this post
What was LeBron’s first contract?
James’ first contract with his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, kicked off in 2003 when he was their first pick from the NBA draft straight out of high school. He was paid $18.8 million for four years. Ahead of the 2007-2008 season, James got a three-year extension to his contract worth $60 million.
When did LeBron get his own brand?
LeBron James’s first logo was created in 2003 when he signed a contract with Nike to produce shoes and other apparel featuring his name and logo. At the time, LeBron was playing for the Miami Heat, and the logo that was designed featured his jersey number as well as his initials and crown design.
What did LeBron buy with his first paycheck?
LeBron James: Amusement Park Tickets
NBA great LeBron James scored his first big endorsement deal with Nike in 2003. Chris Dennis, James’ former PR manager, told ESPN that James put most of that money in the bank.
What brand deals does LeBron James have?
According to Forbes, James’ endorsement deals netted him an additional US$60 million on top of his salary as an NBA player in 2020. Some of his brand endorsements include 2K Sports, AT&T, Beats Electronics, Coca-Cola, GMC, KIA Motors, Nike, RIMOWA, Walmart, Ruffles, Tonal, Mountain Dew and Wheaties.
Who is the highest-paid NBA rookie?
1. Magic PF Paolo Banchero: $50,158,769
- 2022-23 rookie salary: $11,055,120.
- 2025-26 contract year salary: $15,334,769.
- Click here to read Boardroom’s NBA Draft red carpet interview with Paolo Banchero.
Who is the richest NBA player?
Michael Jordan
According to Forbes, Michael Jordan is NBA’s richest player with a humongous net worth of US$1.7 billion. He earned US$90 million in salaries during his basketball career, but reportedly made US$1.8 billion (pre-tax) for endorsement deals from brands like Nike, Gatorade and Hanes.
How much is LeBron’s lifetime deal worth?
LeBron has become one of Nike’s biggest figures, and even signed a lifetime contract with Nike worth more than $1 billion. And he played a big role in Nike being named the most valuable apparel brand in the world today.
Who was Nike’s first NBA endorsement?
1973. Nike launches the Blazer basketball shoe. The shoe is worn by NBA player George Gervin, known as “The Iceman” due to his talent for scoring ice cold dunks. The shoe puts the Nike brand into the consciousness of basketball fans for the first time.
What NBA player has the first shoe deal?
1973: Puma Clyde
Puma customized this basketball shoe for New York Knicks legend Clyde Frazier in 1973. Underneath the Puma logo on the side of this sneaker is “Clyde” written in gold script. It is considered to be the first signature sneaker in basketball history.
How much is your first NBA check?
NBA rookie contracts and salaries for 2021 draft picks
1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, earned $10.05 million in the first year of his deal, which was nearly 120 percent of the figure on the rookie scale. Jalen Green, Evan Mobley and Scottie Barnes each made at least $6 million in 2021-22.
What do NBA players do with all their money?
Charity and Charitable Organizations – and while many NBA players will spend their money on clothes, cars, and real estate, many more will also work on and give to charitable projects and charitable organizations.
How much is LeBron James Worth?
Aside from his NBA salary, James’ $1.2 billion net worth includes money from endorsements, business investments and his own entertainment production company. James was entering the final year of his contract with the Lakers, which pays him $44.5 million for the 2022-23 season.
Who is the first NBA billionaire?
This makes 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.
How much did Kia pay LeBron?
LeBron James’ latest endorsement deal is for Kia’s $66,000 K900 sedan.
What made LeBron James a billionaire?
James parlayed his $385 million in earnings from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers as well as $900 million in income from endorsements and other business ventures into a portfolio of investments and holdings, according to Forbes. Here’s how the publication breaks down James’ milestone wealth.
How much do lottery picks make in the NBA?
In every NBA league year, rookie scale amounts are assigned to each first-round slot, from No. 1 through No. 30. Teams can sign their first-rounders to as little as 80% of that rookie scale amount, or up to 120% of that figure.
Rookie Scale Salaries For 2022 NBA First-Round Picks.
| Player | Tari Eason |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | $3,527,160 |
| 2024/25 | $3,695,160 |
| 2025/26 | $5,675,766 |
| Total | $16,257,246 |
How much was Zion Williamson rookie contract?
$193-million
Zion Williamson has not played for the Pelicans since the 2020-21 season. Zion Williamson will remain in New Orleans after signing a five-year, $193-million maximum rookie extension with the Pelicans, agent Austin Brown told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Pelicans officially announced the move on July 6.
Who got the first 100 million dollar contract in the NBA?
Howard then re-signed with the Bullets on August 5. He became the first player in NBA history to sign a contract worth more than $100 million; his seven-year contract was worth $105 million (equivalent to $181,000,000 in 2021).
Who is the richest athlete in the world?
The World’s 10 Highest-Paid Athletes for the Last Year, per…
- Lionel Messi, $130 million.
- LeBron James, $121.1 million.
- Cristiano Ronaldo, $115 million.
- Neymar, $95 million.
- Stephen Curry, $92.8 million.
Is Shaq a billionaire?
The “NBA on TNT” analyst thanked Durant for the compliment and clarified that he is not, in fact, a billionaire. Indeed, Shaq is not a billionaire.