LOS Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James has become the first active NBA player to make Forbes’ billionaires list. Forbes estimates James, 37, is the world’s second highest-paid athlete behind footballer Lionel Messi.

The four-time NBA champion, who has been the league’s most valuable player (MVP) four times, earned $121.2M (£96.5M) over the last year, with $80M (£63.7M) of it coming off the court.
The American business magazine puts James’ net worth at $1bn (£796.4M).

His earnings over the last 12 months beat his own record of $96.5M (£76.8M) for an NBA player that he set last year.

The 18-time all-star player has earned more than $385M (£306.4M) in salary from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers – but most of his income has come from endorsements and business ventures.

For example, his stake in SpringHill – the television and movie production company James built with business partner Maverick Carter – is believed to be worth $300M (£238.8M).

Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan became a billionaire in 2014, but that was 11 years after the six-time NBA champion finished playing.

In March, James moved second in the NBA’s list of all-time scorers and he currently has 37 062 points, behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387).

Only Jordan (six), Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Russell (both five) have been named the NBA’s MVP on more occasions than James. (BBC Sport)