LeBron James reads books by business executives, professors and music moguls

LEBRON James read The Hunger Games to help him relax during the 2012 NBA Finals. These days, his literary taste has stepped up a notch.

LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat reads a book in the locker room prior to Game One of the 2012 NBA Finals against Oklahoma City Thunder at the Chesapeake Energy Arena

REMEMBER the stories about LeBron James reading books like The Hunger Games to help him relax before games during the 2012 NBA Finals?

It seems like the King’s literary taste has stepped up a notch.

ESPN.com reporter Ramona Shelburne recently visited James’s office at the marketing firm he created with long-time business partner Maverick Carter in Akron, Ohio.

On the shelves alongside a replica Batman mask were three books which offer a glimpse into the mindset of a man who stated right from the beginning of his career his intention of becoming a billionaire.

The first, Last Man Standing, tells the story of Jamie Dimon, the man who helped JP Morgan Chase turn a $5 billion profit during the global financial crisis while many other companies crumbled.

Alongside it is The Operator, a biography of music mogul David Geffen, whose dazzling career also included the roles of power agent, Broadway producer and billionaire Hollywood studio founder.

Then there’s Blockbusters, a study of the entertainment industry and what led to the success of certain businesses and stars by Anita Elberse, one of Harvard Business School’s most celebrated professors.

It’s clear James has big plans for his post-playing days.

“I know when LeBron was younger he said he wanted to be a billionaire,” his financial adviser, Paul Wachter, said.

“But I think (his) ambition is much broader than that. I think his ambition is to really understand the world and be a significant person.”

James has been making smart business decisions since he was a teenager.

Shelburne’s piece includes a great nugget about how James attended basketball camps run by Adidas and Nike in 2001 when he was 17.

He wore Nikes to the Adidas camp and Adidas sneakers to the Nike camp.

His gamesmanship prompted Reebok to enter the bidding before James ended up signing a record six-year $90 million endorsement deal with Nike. Before he’d played in the NBA.

James has become Nike’s signature athlete.

For his part, James believes his desire to maintain full control of his career and business dealings stems from growing up without a father.

“I think a lot of it comes from being an only child,” he told Shelburne, reflecting on the years when he and his mother, Gloria, lived a difficult, nomadic life in Akron.

“I had to become man of the house very fast. I felt empowered when I knew I had to grow up faster than the kids who had fathers, or maybe an older brother. That feeling stuck with me throughout grade school and high school.”

Related Posts

Inside Bruno Fernandes’ 10,000-square-foot Manchester mansion, featuring a garage, cinema room and a garden filled with …

Bruno Fernandes, one of Manchester United’s most influential midfielders, has crafted a home that mirrors his precision and style on the field. The expansive 10,000-square-foot residence, located on a prestigious…

Read more

Kevin Durant surprises nearly 50 young basketball players on ‘Flight 35’, including special gifts such as …

When Kevin Durant traveled to basketball tournaments in high school, everyone piled in a van. There was no smoothie bar, sneaker-lacing station or All-Star guest appearances. And definitely no airplanes….

Read more

‼️ Ayesha Curry Wishes Husband Stephen Curry a Happy Birthday: ‘Love of my life, hope we will….”

“You bring our family so much joy and happiness,” Ayesha Curry wrote to the Golden State Warriors athlete, who turned 34 earlier this week Stephen and Ayesha Curry. PHOTO: KELLY SULLIVAN/GETTY…

Read more

Who is LeBron James’ wife? All about Savannah James, she used to fight with girls in school to become ….

LeBron James and his wife, Savannah, have been together since they were in high school PHOTO: PHILLIP FARAONE/GETTY LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, has been by his side since high school….

Read more

Exclusive opportunity: NBA Star Kevin Durant’s former Oakland residence is now priced at $5.99 million with a gym, luxury basketball court..

This clearly modern home is located on top of the Oakland Hills, and it was formerly the residence of living icon Kevin Durant, a former player for the Golden State…

Read more

Top Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana dazzles with his €26M private Gulfstream G200 plane, taking elegant family vacations all over the world

André Onana, Manchester United’s talented goalkeeper, isn’t just making waves on the pitch; he’s also turning heads with his lavish lifestyle, particularly his impressive private jet. Onana reportedly owns a…

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *