Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James recently admitted that it is his "dream" to someday own an NBA franchise just like his idol, six-time NBA champion, five-time league MVP, and current Charlotte Hornets principal owner Michael Jordan.
In the aftermath of his three-year, $100 million signing with the Cavs last week, the 31-year-old three-time NBA champion and four-time NBA MVP confessed that it is his ambition is to be an NBA team owner himself and he believes that he has a knack for it.
"I feel like my brain, as far as the game of basketball, is unique," said James, via ESPN. "I would love to continue to give my knowledge to the game. I would love to be a part of a franchise - if not at the top. My dream is to actually own a team."
James then explained that he does not have to be a "hands-on" type of owner, but that he will hire "the best GM and president" that he can find. He also said that he believes he had a keen eye not only for talent but "the things that make the talent", such as "chemistry, what type of guy he is, his work ethic, his passion, the basketball IQ".
The report noted that despite the inflating cost of NBA teams these days (former Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer bought the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014 for $2 billion), James "dream" is actually realistic one for him.
Yahoo Sports' Kelly Dwyer indicated that the 12-time All-Star "seems well on his way to his particular pool of gold coins" after securing the $100 million deal with the Cavs.
Overall, James had earned $177 million in wages before tax in the first 13 years of his professional career. His lifetime deal with Nike and all of his other endorsements reportedly add up to more than $50 million in income yearly. Other than that, the King is rumored to have recently invested a considerable amount in technology commerce.
Jordan purchased the Hornets in 2010 for $275 million, which is a lot cheaper than what Ballmer had to disburse four years later.
Dwyer noted that only in 2015-2016 "nearly half of the NBA's teams were valued at over $1 billion", which Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban believes to be a conservative figure.