Recently, Lebron James and his business partner Maverick Carter became the first black men to join Fenway Sports Group, one of the largest sports ownership entities in the world. James said to ESPN, “I think for me and for my partner, Maverick, to be the first two Black men to be a part of that ownership group in the history of that franchise, I think it’s pretty damn cool.”

Prior to this, James already owned 2% of Liverpool F.C., the defending Premier League Champions of English Football. In joining FSG, James was given partial ownership of Roush Fenway Racing, the sports network NESN, and most notably, the Boston Red Sox. 

Lebron James has been outspoken about his goals in terms of team ownership, specifically of owning an NBA team. James publicly said,  “My goal is to own a team, own an NBA team, I got so much to give to the game. I know what it takes to win at this level. I know talent. I also know how to run a business, as well. And so, that is my goal. My goal is to own an NBA franchise, and it will be sooner [rather] than later.” With such a large contribution to basketball, setting countless records, James wants to give back to sports. At age 36 and with most NBA players retiring at around 36-39 (although James has managed to fight off father time), he revealed his possible plans for retirement, saying, “I believe if I wanted to, I could own a team or be part of a basketball team. I know I got so much knowledge of the game that I don’t want to, once I stop playing—I just [do not] want to get away from the game.”

Ultimately, Lebron James’ contributions to basketball are astounding, regardless of whether or not he adds to his list of professional sports teams he owns further after making history earlier this month with the Boston Red Sox.