Could LeBron James Ever Surpass Michael Jordan’s Cultural Impact?

October 3rd, 2014 by Grant Hughes Leave a reply »

LeBron James may one day become the cash-stacking, trend-setting pan-media mogul Michael Jordan is. But if he ever reaches that level, he'll owe a debt to the man who blazed the trail.

That's because the basketball-player-as-business-icon game, driven by the commodification of cool and the sale of sneakers, is still one dominated by the man himself.

 

James: Trying His Best



According to Kurt Badenhausen of Forbes.com, James makes an estimated $20 million per year from Nike. His signature shoes accounted for approximately $300 million in sales in 2013, making them the most lucrative of any active player's specific kicks.

His equity in Beats headphones earned him a reported $30 million when Apple bought the company. He's a pitch man for McDonald's and a ubiquitous presence in television ads for Samsung. He also collects loads of cash from endorsements in Asia that include Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins.

A partnership with Fenway Sports Management netted James part ownership of Liverpool FC, which is among the most popular clubs in parts of the world outside the U.K.&md ...

Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
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