Lebron James - The Influencer Forum

Summary

Who is Lebron James?

LeBron James, a professional basketball player affiliated with the Los Angeles Lakers, gained national recognition as the top high school basketball player in the United States. Known for his exceptional size, athleticism, and court vision, he became a four-time NBA MVP. James led the Miami Heat to championship victories in 2012 and 2013 before returning to Cleveland, where he played a pivotal role in securing the franchise's first championship in 2016.

In January 2018, at the age of 33, James broke the record for the youngest player to amass 30,000 career points, surpassing Bryant and becoming the seventh player in NBA history to reach that milestone. This achievement left him with a little over 8,000 points to reach Abdul-Jabbar's all-time record of 38,387 points. By 2019, James had surpassed Jordan's career total of 32,292 points, moving up to fourth place on the all-time scoring list. In January 2020, just before Bryant's tragic death in a helicopter accident, James surpassed Bryant's total of 33,643 points, securing the third spot.

During the 2016-17 season, James earned a salary of $31 million, making him the third player to reach that income level after Jordan and Bryant. In July 2018, he signed a four-year, $153.3 million contract with the Lakers. Apart from his basketball career, James is also a co-owner of the production company SpringHill Entertainment and has made investments in Blaze Pizza.

According to Forbes magazine's estimates, in February 2019, James earned approximately $88.7 million that year, making him the highest-earning player in the NBA for the fifth consecutive year. He boasts a massive online following with 52.8 million Twitter followers, 149 million Instagram followers, and 251 million Facebook followers.

Lebron James Awards and Recognitions

4× NBA champion (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)
4× NBA Finals MVP (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)
4× NBA Most Valuable Player (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013)
19× NBA All-Star (2005–2023)
3× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2006, 2008, 2018)
13× All-NBA First Team (2006, 2008–2018, 2020)
3× All-NBA Second Team (2005, 2007, 2021)

Lebron James Prominent Campaigns

Nike

LeBron James has had a long-standing partnership with Nike spanning two decades, which ranks as the second most prosperous alliance in NBA history, trailing only behind Michael Jordan. At the age of 18, often referred to as "King James," he signed his initial endorsement contract with Nike, commonly known as a rookie shoe deal. This agreement was reported to be valued at an impressive $87 million, fully guaranteed over seven years. Even today, James' Nike contract is the most lucrative rookie shoe deal ever signed by a basketball player.

PepsiCo

PepsiCo secured a significant endorsement agreement with LeBron James, which encompasses the promotion of the Mountain Dew Rise Energy Drink. The basketball superstar and influential figure decided to part ways with Coca-Cola after a lengthy 17-year association, lending his support to the emerging beverage in the fiercely competitive energy drink market. As per Forbes, it is estimated that LeBron received a substantial sum of $50 million from Pepsi throughout his decade-long contract.

AT&T

LeBron James has expanded his roster of endorsement deals by signing a multiyear agreement with AT&T. The telecommunications giant has recently launched its new streaming service, AT&T TV (distinct from AT&T TV Now). He has rolled out a nationwide advertising campaign showcasing James alongside other notable personalities such as Missy Elliott, Tracy Morgan, and Cookie Monster. The campaign revolves around the concept of "TV Famous Mouths." While the exact details of the contract remain undisclosed, sources speculate that it is a substantial multiyear agreement.