Highlights:
- LeBron James become a partner in the group which own Boston Red Fox
- LeBron is known to be a fan of the New York Yankees who are the biggest rival of Boston Red Fox
- LeBron also owns a small stake in Liverpool Football Club of the EPL
Los Angeles Lakers star player LeBron James is going to be a part-owner of the Baseball team Boston Red Fox.
A source with knowledge of the situation said that on Tuesday James, the Los Angeles Lakers star, and his longtime business partner Maverick Carter are now partners in the Fenway Sports Group.
The source, did not reveal the size of the investment made by either James or Carter, spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because none of the parties involved had announced the moves publicly.
The Boston Globe first reported the news, and other news agencies including The New York Times and ESPN also reported that James and Carter were becoming partners.
Fenway Sports Group is the parent company of the Boston Red Sox as well as the Liverpool Football Club of the English Premier League along with the Roush Fenway Racing NASCAR team.
Chairman of Fenway Sports Group, Tom Werner, also did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press who sought comment on the news.
Additionally, a spokeswoman for the Red Sox and FSG declined to comment.
Also Read: Interesting Facts About Basketball
It is being reported as a most unusual relationship in one respect which is, James has long professed to being a big fan of the New York Yankees, though he has also shown allegiances to the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers in recent years.
And now, he’s been linked to the Red Sox who are the biggest rival of the Yankees.
James has had a relationship with FSG since the year 2011, when he signed a marketing deal in exchange for a small ownership stake in Liverpool.
J B Bickerstaff who is the coach for Cleveland Cavaliers said that James being able to buy into the group is a huge step, especially when considering the example it sets for diversity in business.
Bickerstaff said, “I think when you look at him in particular, and his forethought to be able to put himself in position to change generational wealth, has been amazing”.
He added, “And you look at not only what he’s done for himself but what it allows him to do for other people. It’s something that inspires, something for others to marvel at.”
This move, if materialises, will only enhance James’ business empire.
Jame, who has been a four-time NBA champion with Miami, Cleveland and the Lakers is believed to have the NBA’s top endorsement portfolio.
James also has the media company Uninterrupted and a production company, SpringHill Entertainment.
Erik Spoelstra, Coach of Miami Heat said, “You knew that he has a great eye and passion for business”.
He added, “And he doesn’t set any boundaries on where he can take it. He’s a big Yankees fan, so I think that that makes it fun.”
In the recent year, James has spoken about his off-court role in the society and how he values this part of his life as much as he does still being one of the elite players of Basketball.
Talking to AP in December, James had said, “I still know what I do on the floor and obviously, I give everything to the game”.
He added, “But I can make a greater impact off the floor right now, more than I can on the floor. And I want to continue to inspire people with the way I play the game of basketball.
“But there’s so many more things that I can do off the floor to help cultivate people, inspire people, bring people together, empower them,” he said.