LeBron James isn’t just known as a good basketball player. He is also known for being a social activist and a good businessman, and it looks like another one of his earlier financial decisions is paying off big.
In 2011 James bought two percent of English soccer club Liverpool, which just advanced to the UEFA Champions League Final after beating AS Roma in a 7-6 aggregate. According to Darren Rovell of ESPN that 2 percent cost James right around $6.5 million
The trip to the UEFA Champions League Final nets Liverpool at least $100 million and a win would bring in so much more. This means good things for James and his investment, as it has seen a huge growth since 2011.
“One sports investment banker told ESPN that given the team’s rise to prominence combined with its history, which includes the second-most titles in English soccer (18), the team could be sold today conservatively for $1.6 billion. That means James’ investment has grown nearly five times ($6.5 million to $32 million) in seven years.”
ESPN asked James business partner Maverick Carter if those numbers were right, and although he declined to talk about those he did say James was happy to be involved with Liverpool.
“It has been an honor for us to be in on this deal with Fenway Sports Partners, John Henry and Tom Werner,” Carter said. “It has been a thrill to watch such a storied club make their way back to the top again and to be a part of it all. LeBron likes the fact that he’s diversified in another global sport.”
One of James’ other biggest investments was Blaze Pizza; a fast food pizza joint. James put $1 million into the pizza chain and that has turned into at least $25 million to this point.