LeBron James, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA players of all time, made a bombshell claim about his net worth during an interview
09:52 ET, 19 Sep 2025Updated 11:00 ET, 19 Sep 2025
LeBron James has dismissed claims about his billion-dollar net worth as "a lie" and joked that he was "broke" as the 2025 NBA season approaches. It comes after the Los Angeles Lakers forward was linked with a $5 billion project to launch a basketball league that would rival the NBA.
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James stands as one of basketball's all-time greats. The superstar has captured four championships across three different teams, including the 2020 crown with his Lakers, while setting countless records and establishing himself as a major influence in the sport.
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Though he could potentially start his own competing league, James is gearing up for his 23rd NBA campaign. He'll aim to strengthen his partnership with Luka Doncic on the court in what could be his last season in L.A.. But away from basketball, James has earned recognition as something of a business empire builder.
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Forbes claims the four-time MVP has become the first-ever active NBA player to join the billionaire's club – and basketball's only second behind Michael Jordan.
Jordan reached that milestone in 2014, nearly a decade after the Chicago Bulls icon hung up his sneakers.
The Chicago Bulls legend built his fortune mainly through his legendary Air Jordan brand and his ownership of the Charlotte Hornets NBA team, while James has diversified his business portfolio to generate $1.2 billion in pre-tax income, including through his SpringHill Company.
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Yet James firmly disputes these calculations. The Lakers icon expressed shock upon discovering reports of his supposed billion-dollar status.
"Google search is a lie!" James declared during an interview with Complex.
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"That is a lie. It's wrong. It's way less. Way less. There's a couple of thousand in my bank. That's it. I got a couple thousand.
"I am free for me. Everything I got on is free."
READ MORE: Phillies star has unique take on 'Karen' fan who stole home run ballREAD MORE: WNBA playoff game has dramatic ending ruined as arena plunged into darknessJames then said that he was sporting a 'LeBron edition' Richard Mille watch, released earlier this year, which was a gift.
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He continued: "You see my wedding band? Free. My hat? Free. Wave cap duey? Free. Listen, Forever King is free for every king's need. I ain't got no money, man.
"My kids got all the money now! NILs and shit. They got all the money. They take care of dad now, I got nothing. I'm broke."
Last season, James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game for the Lakers. The four-time MVP is gearing up for one last big performance when the NBA season kicks off next month.