LeBron James becomes first active NBA player to become a billionaire

Two other NBA legends, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, also hit 10 figures, but after their playing careers were over.

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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, according to Forbes Magazine.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, according to Forbes Magazine.

Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, according to Forbes Magazine.

The publication says the four-time NBA MVP and 18-time All-Star has a net worth of $1 billion. 

Two other NBA legends, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, also hit 10 figures, but after their playing careers were over. 

James, 37, made $121.2 million last year in earnings, ranking him as the second-highest paid athlete in the world, behind Paris Saint-Germain soccer star Lionel Messi.

James has his hands in various ventures, including production company SpringHill, a marketing agency, and the athlete platform Uninterrupted.

He also is involved in sports ownership, grabbing a 1 percent share of the Fenway Sports Group. FSG owns the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park, plus English Premier League soccer team Liverpool, 50% of Roush Fenway Racing and 80% of the New England Sports Network.

His real estate portfolio is estimated to be around $80 million and his interest in Blaze Pizza is $30 million.

Read more at usatoday.com

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