LeBron James is one of the wealthiest athletes ever

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, in Phoenix, US, in January 2022. Photo: AP

James has made US$432 million during his 20-year NBA career. He also signed a two-year, US$97 million extension with the Lakers that will give him US$141 million over the next three years. The extension will make James the highest-earning player of all time, with US$532 million.

LeBron James wearing Beats by Dre. Photo: LeBron James/Facebook

In addition to his NBA salary, James also makes roughly US$90 million a year in endorsements off the court. In 2021, he led all athletes with US$126.9 million in on- and off-court earnings, per Sportico. The following year, he ranked second on the same list – behind World Cup winner Lionel Messi – with US$121.2 million total earnings.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James talks to teammates during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, in Houston, US, in December 2021. Photo: AP

Thanks in large part to his lifetime deal with Nike, James is now a billionaire, according to Forbes. The media company estimates that he has earned “upwards of US$900 million in income from endorsements and other business ventures”.

… But he is also open about how cheap he can be at times

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (left) shakes hands with Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James at the end of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, in December 2018. Photo: AP

Despite his expensive tastes when it comes to cars and houses, Dwyane Wade once called James “the cheapest guy in the NBA”. James responded by saying that was “so, so, so, so falsely true”.

Warren Buffett was kinder, saying of James, “He’s savvy. He’s smart about financial matters.” The famed investor added, “It’s amazing to me the maturity he exhibits.”

Here are 3 times that “King James” showed his true thrifty colours.

1. He won’t use his phone if it is not on Wi-fi

LeBron James works on one of his BlackBerry devices after the evening workout games with high school basketball players at his skills academy, in Akron, Ohio, in 2010. Photo: AP

“No, I’m not doing that,” James once said. “I’m not turning on data roaming, I’m not buying no apps, I still got Pandora with commercials.” When the music streaming service heard that, it offered James a free premium account.

2. He was once spotted riding a bicycle to a game in Miami

LeBron James gets in some extra cardio and conditioning with his bike ride. Photo: Getty Images

3. LeBron also said he would not pay for a blue checkmark on Twitter

James referenced his frugality when declining to pay to keep his blue checkmark on the new Elon Musk-helmed Twitter – although a new CEO is set to take over soon. “Welp guess my blue ✔️ will be gone soon cause if you know me I ain’t paying the 5,” James wrote on Twitter, following the statement up with a shrug emoji.

One area that LeBron James doesn’t skimp on is his mansion. Photo: @erealty/Twitter

Despite his money savvy, James does have expensive tastes in some areas and also gives a lot of money to charitable endeavours.

This article originally appeared on Insider.