Could Owner LeBron be the sequel to GM/Player LeBron after retirement?
With the business acumen acquired over the years I think you’d be hard pressed to bet against the King. LeBron always maps out his plans multiple steps in advance. He proved this on the court forming the Big 3 in Miami and off the court with the business empire he’s created for himself and his friends who have thrived as business partners alongside him.
His connections throughout the business landscape have been well documented as well as his desire to own an NBA franchise one day. Here are more details on his potential ownership role.
Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James once again confirmed his plans to one day be an NBA owner, according to Ken Berger of The Athletic. “I will own a team someday,” James told Berger. “That’s my next thing.”
He added: “Why do I want to own team? I think it’ll be cool. I’ll stay part of the game and still be able to put people in positions of power. I’ve always loved that, putting people in a position of power to feel like they can make a change and make things happen.” James also noted that he would continue to work with his current business partners, Maverick Carter and Randy Mims, along with agent Rich Paul, were he to own a team.
It isn’t the first time James has spoken about his future ownership plans. In Aug. 2016, he told the Uninterrupted podcast Open Run about his desire to one day hold a front-office position (h/t Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com):
“I feel like my brain as far as the game of basketball is unique and I would love to continue to give my knowledge to the game. And I would love to be a part of a franchise, if not at the top. My dream is to actually own a team and I don’t need to have fully hands on. If I’m fortunate enough to own a team, then I’m going to hire the best GM and president that I can.
“But I have a feel like I have a good eye for not only talent, because we all see a lot of talent, but the things that make the talent, the chemistry, what type of guy he is, his work ethic, his passion, the basketball IQ side of things, because talent only goes so far.”
LeBron in more ways than one is following in the footsteps of Michael Jordan. He’s earned roughly half a billion dollars in NBA contracts, endorsements and off court ventures. LeBron’s business sense in conjunction with his great basketball mind would be a great look for the NBA as an owner in the future.