LeBron James has accomplished every significant milestone on the basketball court, from earning Rookie of the Year honors to winning MVP and Finals MVP awards and securing NBA championships in a historic fashion.
However, his name resonates globally, even with individuals who do not watch basketball, because of the immense legacy he has built off the court. The King has become one of the handful of sporting athletes who have attained a billion-dollar net worth. Witnessing his epic trajectory, one of the greatest business minds in the world, Warren Buffet, offered the highest praise for the four-time MVP by calling him someone with a 'money mind.'
Warren Buffet praised LeBron
Given the hype when he entered the league and his consistency as a player, it comes as no surprise that James has earned $479 million in salaries throughout his two-decade-long NBA career.
But what is even more impressive is how he has more than doubled his net worth. While critics might highlight that the Akron native had a lot of money to start with, the 6'9" forward has never invested recklessly. As Buffet rightly mentioned, James has always had a sharp ability to recognize solid business opportunities.
In an interview with USA Today, the American business and philanthropist highlighted how undervalued LeBron's business acumen truly is. He lauded how James' 'money mind' is key to him expanding his business portfolio.
"People really do have minds that function better than other people's in certain areas that you can't give a test for," Buffett said . "LeBron, in addition to a lot of other talents, he has a money mind. And he gets stuff. He can separate out the cream from the crap, and you get more of the latter proposed to you than you do of the former."
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James' business portfolio does merit applause
As Buffet rightly mentioned, LeBron has never chased quantity but quality. And the fact that he chose not to jump at Reebok's $10 million offer during his high school days is a testament to that. Instead, the 20-time All-Star waited for a better deal with Nike when he turned pro, which is now a lifetime contract.
James has made sound financial decisions, whether through his association with Beats by Dre, his ownership of minority stakes in Liverpool FC and the Boston Red Sox, or the conversion of his $1 million investment in Blaze Pizza by over 30 times.
Moreover, even if it is about trying his hand in a better field - such as owning a production company with Maverick Carter or investing in Ladder (a health and wellness company that offers supplements), LeBron has always made long-term business goals. So, it is safe to say that he has only utilized his growing salary to earn better through different ventures. Being acknowledged by Warren Buffet only further validated his business savvy.
Related: Walt Frazier's GOAT is not Michael Jordan or LeBron James: "If he had Wilt's mindset, he would have had 50,000 points"
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