In the most recent “The Shop” episode for Uninterrupted, James made a hint about what he might do as his big career move after playing.
James ended any speculation that he would enter the media in the episode that premiered on Friday.
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Certainly, here’s a rewritten version:
LeBron James has expressed his aspirations of becoming an NBA team owner in the future. The basketball icon, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, revealed his ambition during a recent interview.
“I want to own a team. Yeah, I want to buy a team, for sure,” shared James confidently. In a brief 19-second snippet, he emphasized his preference for team ownership over discussing the intricacies of the game. “I would much rather own a team before I talk (about the game). I want to own a team in Vegas. Yeah, I want the team in Vegas,” he added.
Taking to Twitter, LeBron quote-tweeted the original post from The Uninterrupted Twitter account, affirming his ambitions with the words, “Speaking It Into Existence.”
During the interview, James also mentioned the Golden State Warriors as the only remaining playoff team he would consider joining. Injecting humor, he quipped, “It would be Golden State. I would love getting into a pissing match with Draymond [Green]. I love when someone cusses me out.”
As the filming date of the episode is unknown, additional context may provide a clearer understanding of James’ response when the episode airs.
In a previous episode of The Shop, LeBron James created a buzz in the basketball world when he identified Steph Curry as the player he would most like to play alongside—excluding his son.
“In today’s game, there are some incredible players, but Steph Curry…” James remarked. “Steph Curry’s the one that I want to play with for sure, in today’s game. I love everything about that guy. Lethal. When he gets out of his car, you better guard him right from the moment he pulls up to the arena… You might want to guard him when he gets out of bed. Swear to God. He’s serious.”
This candid statement from James showcased his admiration for Curry’s skills and highlighted the level of respect he has for the Golden State Warriors’ star player.
LeBron James net worth
While LeBron James discussing the notion of owning an NBA team is intriguing, the practicality of such a venture comes with a hefty price tag. Forbes reported valuations ranging from $1.5 billion (Grizzlies) to a staggering $5.8 billion (Knicks) for NBA teams before the start of the season. A recent example is the purchase of the Minnesota Timberwolves by Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez for $1.5 billion, a process set to finalize in 2023 when they assume majority ownership.
In essence, becoming an NBA team owner requires substantial financial resources. The positive news for James is that he has the means to make a significant investment. Recently hailed as a billionaire by Forbes based on his 2021 pre-tax earnings, James has amassed over $385 million from his on-court endeavors with the Cavaliers, Heat, and Lakers, complemented by more than $900 million from endorsements and various business ventures.
Notably, James is the first active NBA player to achieve billionaire status, following in the footsteps of Michael Jordan, the current owner of the Hornets, who reached this milestone in 2014. While hypothetical at this stage, James’ financial capability positions him as a potential candidate to join the ranks of NBA team owners in the future.
How to watch ‘The Shop’ with LeBron James
- Date: Friday, June 10 (ET)
- Time: 12 p.m ET / 9 a.m PT
- Streaming: Uninterrupted YouTube Channel
The most recent episode of “The Shop” is available on the Uninterrupted YouTube channel. James and Maverick Carter launched the athlete empowerment company Uninterrupted, which primarily creates original audio, video, and social media content.
