Once again LeBron James made it to the headline. This time, it involves Bill Simmons revealing that the Lakers superstar might be on his way to being an owner of a Vegas-based NBA team.
With his career might be closing in a few years, this decision might likely be LeBron’s next step to widen his portfolio in the business venture after basketball.
From today’s BS Podcast: Why I believe the NBA is going to expand to Vegas and Seattle sooner than later, and why I believe LeBron will be part of the Vegas ownership group when it happens.pic.twitter.com/gBc5W3ixle
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 28, 2022
What Bill Simmons says
On Tuesday, a former ESPN journalist Bill Simmons posted a video on Twitter. In the video, Simmons told fellow sportswriter Ryen Russillo that NBA will have two additional expansion teams based in Seattle and Las Vegas. However, this time, the four-time NBA champion James, will be involved in the expansion.
“I have some intel. I think the league is gonna expand to Vegas and to Seattle,” Simmons, the founder of The Ringer stated.
“And I think the leading contender to get that Vegas team is gonna be the Fenway Sports Group, that you know. That they have Liverpool. They bought the Penguins. They’ve been circling NBA teams for a while,” he added. “I think that they looked at Minnesota.”
Simmons then continued on talking about LeBron’s involvement in the deal.
“If I had to bet on a Lebron [James] scenario, it would be for him to be involved with whatever happens with that, where he is the point man of that Vegas team,” the Boston-based podcaster added.
Simmons obviously can put his name at risk if he was not certain of what he claimed, but it is the contrary. He stated again in the podcast “I don’t care if it gets aggregated because I think I’m right.”
If this were to really happen, then it will be another accomplishment for the four-time NBA MVP to be in a similar place with his childhood idol, Michael Jordan, who became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Hornets.
.@ringer founder @BillSimmons says he has "intel" that the NBA will expand to Las Vegas, and that LeBron James "is definitely going to be involved" in the ownership group. https://t.co/K4bDk1rSwe pic.twitter.com/ivSM9fPoPe
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) February 28, 2022
LeBron as owner
Previously in March last year, James told reporters after a victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves that his goal was to own an NBA franchise, just like Jordan.
“I’ve always said that my goal was to own a team, own an NBA team. I’ve 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. It’ll be sooner than later,” James said.
The 18-time NBA All-Star has always been known not only as a basketball superstar but also as an eminent entrepreneur who owns the food and liquor business, involved in the entertainment industry as well as sports ownership.
In 2011, the13-time All-NBA First Team made a small investment in Fenway Sports Group before becoming an official partner last year.
“FSG also owns the MLB’s Boston Red Sox, the Premier League’s Liverpool F.C. and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins,” as per Simmons. This would mean that James owns a part of everything.
If FSG is looking to pursue the million dollar worth expansion, then it is a big probability that King James could be in it too.