Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has done just about everything you could imagine on the basketball court: four NBA championships, four MVPs, 17 All-Star appearances, 13 All-NBA First Team selections and the list expands.
Now James is venturing into a new sport, as he, along with business partner Maverick Carter, have become part owners of the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.
James is joining Fenway Sports Group, the parent company of the Red Sox and other sports clubs, as a partner, simultaneously making him and Carter the company’s first Black partners in the process.
James already held a 2% stake in Liverpool F.C., the English Premier League giant, since 2011. Liverpool is also owned by FSG, so it’ll be interesting to see how James’ involvement with the soccer team evolves following this news.
He explained his excitement of becoming involved with the Red Sox, citing the importance behind it, too.
“Well, first of all, it’s great to be with such a great group with FSG, they’ve done so many great things over the years and just that collective group of people, they’re just amazing to be partners with,” James said. “As far as the Red Sox, obviously a historical franchise. We know the history of the World Series championships that they’ve brought back to Boston and the players that has come through there and the legacy that they hold in that area.
“So I think for me and my partner Maverick, to be the first two black men to be a part of that ownership group in the history of that franchise, I think it’s pretty damn cool.”
James added how this news could uplift the members of his community and how they can make history as well.
“It gives me and people that look like me hope and inspiration that they can be in a position like that as well, that it can be done, it gives my kids in my I Promise School more inspiration as well,” James said.
“But it was a great day for myself, for my family, for my school, for my business partner Maverick Carter and everyone that has something to do with our group. But it’s a pretty amazing thing for me to continue to build my portfolio off the floor, also in a beautiful sport like baseball.”
James wants to own NBA team in the future
While James continues to dominate in the NBA, players such as Damian Lillard have touted James’ ability to be a successful general manager in the future with his knowledge of constructing a talented team based on his undefeated record as captain in the All-Star Game.
But the 36-year-old star has aspirations bigger than a GM, as one day he anticipates owning an NBA team to add to his already impressive management portfolio.
“I’ve always said that my goal is to own an NBA team,” James said. “I’ve got so much to give to the game, I know what it takes to win at this level, I know talent, I also know how to run a business as well. That’s my goal, my goal is to own an NBA franchise. It’ll be sooner than later.”
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