LeBron James is reportedly involved in a massive £3.8billion ($5bn) project that could establish an international basketball league to compete with the NBA. At 40, James is nearing the end of his NBA career, but he has opted for the 2025-26 season after accepting his $52.6 million player option to remain with the Lakers.
While James is one of the greatest athletes of his generation, he's also a seasoned businessman.
The NBA legend has made numerous astute investments throughout his career and currently holds shares in Fenway Sports Group (FSG), which owns several sports teams. Consequently, James is the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, and his wealth could potentially fund a new league.
Forbes estimates James's net worth at $1.27 billion. Thanks to his stake in FSG, James has connections to Liverpool FC (football), the Boston Red Sox (MLB), and the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL).
Although it's a long-term goal, FSG has yet to purchase a basketball team. However, there are rumours that the ownership group might spearhead an NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas.
Alternatively, James may participate in a new venture that could challenge the NBA.
According to ESPN, Maverick Carter, James' business manager, is contemplating raising $5 billion to start an international basketball league. It's suggested that Carter will seek help from private equity funds, and James was not involved when the plans were announced.
This situation may have altered, as reported by Front Office Sports. The publication revealed that Carter, James, and Misko Raznatovic, the European agent of Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, convened in France.
The meeting was reportedly connected to the international league, with FOS suggesting that six men's and women's teams could travel to compete in eight cities worldwide. Players participating might also receive league equity, a benefit not offered by the NBA or WNBA.
This strategy has already been implemented by Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 basketball league established by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. The duo launched the new league earlier this year to great success.
Although Unrivaled is a fresh format and takes place during the WNBA offseason, it is still viewed as a competing organisation. Unrivaled also enticed players by offering substantial salaries, a point currently under dispute by WNBA players ahead of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiation.
The NBA is already firmly established, with player salaries reaching record highs. Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai recently became the highest-paid player in NBA history.
The NBA MVP signed a four-year, $285 million supermax contract extension, equating to an annual salary of $71.25 million.
Nevertheless, with professional sports leagues pursuing international expansion in recent years, there might be a substantial opening for a worldwide competition.
The NBA stages certain regular-season matches in overseas cities, yet the existing EuroLeague remains reluctant to commit to a full-time partnership.
This reluctance could present the suggested international league with a massive opportunity, and Raznatovic seemed to hint at a major announcement on Instagram.
"The summer of 2025 is the perfect time to make big plans for the fall of 2026," he wrote on Instagram.