Being the country's biggest and most well-known athlete for nearly 20 years has meant huge money for LeBron James. The Los Angeles Lakers and "Space Jam 2" star has earned enough over his career from his salary, endorsements, and production company to put him into a new echelon for NBA players: the $1 billion club. James is the first NBA player to surpass $1 billion in career earnings while still active.
It's not hard to see how James got to that massive number. He was a sensation even before he made his NBA debut, and then went on to earn 17 All-Star nods and four championships. He's taken that fame and spun it intonumerous other endorsements , and a thriving media company that has produced an HBO show, an ABC game show, several documentaries, and "Space Jam: A New Legacy," which has been a hit at the box office.James is the first player from a U.S.