Truth & Rumors > NBA

LeBron wants to be the next Buffett

Views
100
Comments
62

Forget the question of whether LeBron James is the next Michael Jordan. The more interesting question is whether he can be the next Warren Buffett. James, the 22-year old star of the Cleveland Cavaliers, has been hyped as the game's next superstar since he was in high school. And his own ambitions are no less grand -- he has stated a desire to be the first billionaire athlete. James was drafted right out of high school with a $90-million shoe contract with Nike already signed. He has since picked up endorsement contracts with Coca-Cola's Sprite and Powerade has even appeared in a spot for the rollout of Vista, the new operating system for Microsoft. Last summer he signed an $80 million contract extension with the Cavaliers

CNN/Money

LeBron James, Getty LeBron James, Getty
June 15, 2007  09:48 AM ET

Huh? LJ wants to walk around in flip-flops and drink margaritas?

June 15, 2007  09:56 AM ET

First billion dollar athlete? Have people already forgotten Michael Schumacher. Tiger Woods?

June 15, 2007  10:03 AM ET

He is an idiot. It is about winning, not money. He is so stupid. No wonder he sucked in the Finals.

June 15, 2007  10:16 AM ET

Yeah Lebron you will be the 6 billion brainless-man!

June 15, 2007  10:16 AM ET

Now I know why the Cavs went to the Finals. It's publicity for little LeBron so he could endorse more money. It's all about the benjamins baby.

If you see the scores closely, you see that all the games were lost with less than 10 points. Don't tell me they couldn't win any of those games.
Wait ... the Spurs gave him extra money (with at least 7 digits) to lose.

June 15, 2007  10:24 AM ET

IrishR#1,
Before you go there, understand that he's already rebuilt parks and residential complexes in his native Cleveland. So, part of it is about the money. His idiodicy and stupidity has him in the position for that to be a realistic goal, so may we all be so idiotic and stupid.

June 15, 2007  10:25 AM ET

Ur rediculous Mr. Sonic. If you think that way then please don't ever watch another athletic event.

June 15, 2007  10:50 AM ET

Ok don't you guys think you're being a little envious (well some of you)...if you had the chance to make and get that much money, wouldnt you? I think LeBron James is going to be the Jay-Z of basketball in terms of his entrepeneurship....he's only 22, I feel like that slips a lot of people's minds. It's insane!

As for the Finals, they just faced a more experienced and better overall TEAM...Shaq was swept his first time in the finals by a more experienced Rockets team and Shaq probably had a better team in Orlando that year then LeBron did Cleveland this year. With the right pieces and if the nucleus of this team continues to grow in a positive way the Cavs will win their share of championships.

June 15, 2007  10:50 AM ET

Keep having all those kids out of wedlock and you can forget about being the billion dollar athlete.

June 15, 2007  11:00 AM ET

LOL, Lebron better worry about improving his jumpshot...

June 15, 2007  11:00 AM ET

Well said K11

June 15, 2007  11:07 AM ET

money, money, money...

June 15, 2007  11:13 AM ET

OHHHHH! "WARREN" Buffet. My bad ;>)

June 15, 2007  11:16 AM ET

Lebron is overhyped, just like those confusing commercial. how about he work on his game, win some rings. the media is trying to compare dude to Mike which is unfare. dude is nice but he will never be on the 23 level. its funny that when the cavs stomped the pistons everyone said he was going to beat DA SPURS......

June 15, 2007  11:22 AM ET

So, basically he wants to give all of his money to Bill Gates also.

June 15, 2007  11:24 AM ET

there is no one who can dispute that for a 22 year old player he is one talented person; what happens in the future is anyone's guess. I will be there to see how this young man progresses or regresses.

MJ did not even come close to the skill nor money at 22 years of age......

June 15, 2007  11:24 AM ET

Oh. My. God. He has one bad FINALS and we call him overhyped. Dabigfun, you were probably worshiping him after that game 5 last round. Now he plays poorly against one of the best defensive teams ever and he is overhyped. He is the future of the NBA. His ring will come. He always gets at least 26-6-6, he is a strong leader, and a successful businessman. And he is only 22!

June 15, 2007  11:28 AM ET

jealousy is never a good thing.

June 15, 2007  11:29 AM ET

Lebron will get his rings.

 
June 15, 2007  11:36 AM ET

FAVREFAN 12: i like Lebron but I am also a guy who like to earn things. he hasn't done nothing but get hyped from the media. so what if he builds a project or give to the poor? what else are we supposed to do? bruce bowen put the D on him and they still said he had a bad game. lets see what he does in game 5. Greg oden is going to win a ring before Bron, Bron. Tim duncan didn't get hyped like the fake 23. the NBA is trying thier best to get him on that level, but that stuff has to be earned.

Comment

Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.


The Si.com Cover Hub Go to the Cover Hub

Stub Hub

The 2009 schedule has been released. Search for tickets!

Truth & Rumors

MOST POPULAR

  1. 1
    Chargers accuse McDaniels of trash talk
    Views
    29888
    Comments
    2813
  2. 2
    Cowher to Bears or Texans?
    Views
    35611
    Comments
    1965
  3. 3
    Yankees to cut down on spending
    Views
    3060
    Comments
    1022
  4. 4
    Source: Damon won't take pay cut
    Views
    53104
    Comments
    972
  5. 5
    Disrespected Ryan takes dig at Moss
    Views
    6712
    Comments
    621

Most Active Users

Comments + Blog Posts + Throwdowns

  1. 1
    Chico 2.0
  2. 2
    BBK - Now it's all football
  3. 3
    rstowe
  4. 4
    gigi_iv
  5. 5
    Never NDing Struggle

Message Boards

  1. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    What happens if Bama and UT…
    Views
    623
    Replies
    42
  2. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    BCS Selection Walk Through
    Views
    418
    Replies
    27
  3. MMA > General MMA

    Arlovski's next fight -…
    Views
    407
    Replies
    22

Blogs

SI.com

Swimsuit

SI Photos