ESPN sports business reporter Darren Rovell joined a brief podcast to talk about his scoop that LeBron James signed a “lifetime” deal with Nike. On the call, Rovell pegged the duration of the agreement at around (but not definitively) 20 years, and discussed some of what it pertains, how long it was in the works, and why now was the time to pull the trigger.
The conversation then shifted to whether, and on what time horizon, LeBron will ultimately join the Forbes billionaire list. “I think so,” Rovell answered. “And I think part of that is, like Magic and Kobe, he wants to be in business. He’s taught himself business, he knows the terms, he’s not just the guy who’s shaking hands when he walks into a room. Sometimes he’s actually impressed people with some of his terminology and understanding of business.”
Rovell brought up past business deals LeBron has been a part of, including receiving at least $30 million when Beats By Dre was acquired by Apple, the $15.7 million that was just invested in LeBron’s Uninterrupted platform on Bleacher Report, and, perhaps most significantly, his stake in Blaze Pizza (which follows the Chipotle concept) and its franchises in Miami and Chicago.
We later talked about the people around LeBron who are negotiating and managing these deals. Rovell heard that, in addition to his inner circle, LeBron (along with Ndamukong Suh and A-Rod) has a “real relationship” with Warren Buffett.
PAST GLASS HALF EMPTY PODCASTS:
- Peter King Talks NFL Refs, MMQB*
- Peter Mehlman Compares and Contrasts Crafting Novel With Writing for Howard Cosell and Seinfeld?
- Christine Brennan’s Talks About Greg Hardy, NFL Media, and Advice for Young Writers
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- Brett Taylor, the Cubs Blogger Who Left a Big Law Firm
- Gary Sheffield Talks MLB Playoffs, Harper-Papelbon, and Hall of Fame
- Scott Van Pelt Talks Midnight SportsCenter, Madison As Best College Sports Town in America
- Matthew Berry Has Like 45 Jobs
- Jim Ross Talks About His Live Show, Roddy Piper, and Steroids in Hollywood
- Clay Travis Talks SEC Media Days, New Deal With Fox Sports, and the Confederate Flag
- A Long Conversation With Frank Deford
- Mike Florio Part 2: Talks About PFT History, His Deal With NBC, and if He Regrets the Dez Bryant Story
- Mike Florio Part 1: Goodell Underling(s) were out to get the Patriots
- Does Sarah Spain worry that her politics will make her polarizing?
- David Purdum talks about Tony Romo, fantasy football, and the NFL’s gambling hypocrisies
- Cleveland sports talk host Anthony Lima on LeBron, Delly, and Johnny Manziel
- Dan Le Batard talks about his career, Papi, and Bill Simmons
- Kenny Smith before the NBA conference finals
*denotes Pigsplosion podcast
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