big number
$581.3 million. That’s James’ career on-court earnings across his 23 years in the NBA, the most of all-time ahead of Kevin Durant ($501 million) and Stephen Curry ($470 million), according to Spotrac.
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surprising fact
James is one of only eight athletes that Forbes has measured with at least $70 million in off-field income in a single year, including Curry, Messi, Ohtani, Ronaldo, Woods, Roger Federer and Conor McGregor.
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key background
James, in a statement on X announcing his signing with the 76ers, said he “thought I was done when the season ended.” His move to Philadelphia marks weeks of speculation about where James would likely end his career, though some NBA fans believed James foreshadowed a preference for the 76ers after saying earlier this month he was “trusting the process,” an apparent reference to a phrase “trust the process” often used for the franchise’s rebuild around Joel Embiid. James’ signing marks the end of his eight-year run with the Los Angeles Lakers, which ultimately culminated in the team winning the 2020 NBA Championship.
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further reading
ForbesLeBron James Will Join Philadelphia 76ers—Extending His Historic Career Another 2 YearsBy Antonio Pequeño IVForbesThe World’s 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2026By Brett Knight