LeBron James famously inked a “lifetime” deal with Nike last year—something he’s understandably very proud and protective of—and according to his longtime business partner Maverick Carter, the pact is worth north of one billion dollars.
LeBron's business partner gives the inside scoop on the $1 billion deal with Nike https://t.co/Dvi1zIrIru (@gqstyle) pic.twitter.com/TjNwA7KA7K
— GQ Magazine (@GQMagazine) May 17, 2016
The Swoosh initially signed LBJ back in 2003 when he skipped college to enter the NBA directly out of high school for a reported $90 million.
Team LeBron now has their sights set on conquering Hollywood.
Per GQ:
When did you and LeBron decide Hollywood was the next frontier?
It was the natural evolution. Obviously, the goal was to figure out ways to take his talent, who he is, what he represents, and build businesses around that. Because being a great basketball player, there’s a very tight window.
So you guys have always been working on life after basketball?
Once basketball is over, you’ve got fucking 50 years left to live. So you gotta hit ’em while you got the muscle, as they say in The Godfather.
How much was the (Nike) deal for?
I can’t say.
Come on, Mav! Can you ballpark it?
What are people saying?
Kanye said a billion. So a billion.
[Maverick smiles and points one finger skyward.]
Holy shit.
Yeah. It’s a fantastic deal. Nike feels great about the deal. That’s the most important thing. As great as I feel, as great as LeBron feels—Nike feels fantastic about it. It’s the largest deal in the history of the company. Their hope is he makes even more. And our hope is that, too, obviously.
