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LeBron James becomes partner of Liverpool FC owners

LeBron James has become a minor partner in Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the owners of Liverpool FC.

FSG announced on Tuesday the basketball legend has invested in the group, which also owns the Boston Red Sox.

James has been a part-owner of Liverpool FC since 2011 and has a 2% stake in the club, which he bought for £4.7m.

He and his business partner Maverick Carter are now taking a more active role in global sports ownership.

The pair become the first black partners at FSG after expanding their investment, which is valued at more than $6bn (£4.3bn), according to Forbes business magazine.

FSG is pushing ahead with ambitious expansion plans and this week also approved a $750m private investment deal with RedBird Capital Partners.

Reports suggest FSG may use the capital to buy other sports franchises as well as strengthening Liverpool FC and the Boston Red Sox baseball franchise.

James's 2% stake in Liverpool FC is now worth more than £37m, according to a recent evaluation of the club by accountancy firm KPMG.
Liverpool links

The LA Lakers star already had links with FSG, having co-produced a television show with Tom Werner, the chairman of the Red Sox and Liverpool.

Mr Werner has the second largest stake in FSG behind John Henry, the principal owner.

 In 2010, FSG changed its name from New England Sports Ventures before buying Liverpool FC for $493m.

James was named an NBA All-Star for the 17th time this season and has spoken of owning an NBA team one day. League rules forbid this for active players.

"I believe if I wanted to, I could own a team or be part of a basketball team," James said in 2019. He is currently worth around $450m according to Forbes' estimates.

Along with his mega-earnings as a basketball player and lucrative sponsorship deals, James has his own production company (SpringHill Entertainment) and media company (Uninterrupted).

James is a partner in a health and wellness company alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and also part-owns 19 pizza franchises in Chicago and South Florida.

 

BBC

 

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