Home Basketball Along with fellow NBA players Draymond Green and Kevin Love, LeBron James purchases an expansion team in a paddle sport league, adding to his collection of holdings that already includes interests in Liverpool, the MLB’s Red Sox, and the NHL’s Penguins.

Along with fellow NBA players Draymond Green and Kevin Love, LeBron James purchases an expansion team in a paddle sport league, adding to his collection of holdings that already includes interests in Liverpool, the MLB’s Red Sox, and the NHL’s Penguins.

Basketball — 07/18/2024

Already a co-owner of Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, and Liverpool FC in the English Premier League, LeBron James is once again diversifying his sports portfolio. James' former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Kevin love and his Golden State Warriors rival Draymond Green pictured with wife Hazel Renee) are also investing in the team, which has yet to decide on a nameHis company, LRMR Ventures, in partnership with Maverick Carter, is part of a consortium purchasing a new Major League Pickleball expansion franchise. This venture also includes investments from Kevin Love, James’ former teammate, and Draymond Green, his rival from the Golden State Warriors.

LeBron James (pictured with his wife Savannah) is adding to his sports portfolio once again with the acquisition of a professional pickleball team

Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport akin to tennis but played with a distinct perforated polymer ball, has been gaining popularity nationwide. According to Front Office Sports, 66 new pickleball venues are opening every month across the United States. The Major League Pickleball (MLP), expanding with four new teams, already counts influential figures like retired NFL quarterback Drew Brees, entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, and Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry among its owners.Court sizes are about a third the size of tennis dimensions, and the game relies on volleying much more than its sister sport

The involvement of LRMR Ventures and its partners marks a significant moment for pickleball, noted MLP founder Steve Kuhn. Maverick Carter emphasized his connection to the sport’s community and its competitive appeal, expressing ambitions to craft a championship-winning team.James is only the second-highest compensated athlete in the world between salary and endorsements with $121.2million, beaten out by PSG and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi, who raked in $130million. However, the investment game is where LeBron has made enough money to dwarf the likes of Tiger Woods, Messi, Magic Johnson and Floyd Mayweather

While James nears the end of his illustrious basketball career, he is actively exploring ownership opportunities, particularly eyeing a future NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas. His existing stakes in Fenway Sports Group encompass minority ownership in various sports teams, underscoring his enduring commitment to sports entrepreneurship.