Whether you've already filled out your March Madness bracket or couldn't care less about basketball, you likely know of LeBron James. The Cleveland Cavaliers forward has proven himself to be an MVP — and he has the championships to prove it. Arguably just as impressive as his skills on the court is his incredible ability to sell Nike sneakers.
According to Forbes, the 30-year-old Ohio native is the biggest endorsement star in basketball, pulling in over $340 million last year in sales for his signature LeBron for Nike shoes. And, per usual, he's smoking the competition. Citing stats from SpotScanInfo, Forbes says James' sales are up about 13% from 2013, and he currently pushes twice as many sneakers as second-place baller Kevin Durant. Furthermore, this year marks James' 12th season working with Nike — the company first signed him fresh out of high school with a $90 million contract. Not too shabby for a teen.
The earnings he's posted for Nike don't even reflect the shadow market of sneaker resales. Resellable celebrity-endorsed sneakers are one of the most profitable fashion investments one can make. And, at $200 a pop, the signature LeBron 12s get snatched up by sneakerheads immediately, and resold for hundreds more. Clearly, this is one king with the golden touch. So, while we wait to see if his success for Nike leads to more fashion deals down the line, we may also want to consider getting in on the sneaker action. (Forbes)
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