NBA rumors: LeBron James wants to own an NBA team

LeBron James has said he’d like to own a team one day after his basketball playing days are over.

LeBron James has championships, money and all the perks that come with being an NBA superstar. He wants to add even more to his legacy one day, by owning his own team. He’ll likely have the money and intuitive basketball knowledge to do so when he retires.

According to ESPN, LeBron appeared on the Open Run podcast and spoke of his basketball intelligence. He noted he has a good eye for talent but wouldn’t necessarily be a “fully hands-on” guy. He would need others to take on the more hands-on parts of the team operation.

In the podcast interview, LeBron said, “I would love to continue to give my knowledge to the game. I would love to be a part of a franchise — if not at the top. … My dream is to actually own a team. I don’t need to [be] fully hands-on. If I’m fortunate enough to own a team, then I’ll going to hire the best GM and president that I can.”

If LeBron were to own an NBA team he’d put himself in familiar superstar company. Michael Jordan, the man LeBron has said he’s chasing in terms of legacy, is a principal owner of the Charlotte Hornets. Jordan has seen ups and downs in terms of ownership, with his team reaching the playoffs a couple times over the past three seasons but bowing out in the first round on both occasions.

Teams usually cost a few billion, but LeBron could potentially have the bank account that allows him to make the move into ownership. His Nike lifetime contract is worth more than a billion dollars on its own. That’s without taking into account his actual salary for playing hoops and his other endorsement and business deals.

So that raises the big question. Would LeBron become an owner for his current team the Cleveland Cavaliers, his former squad the Miami Heat or another? How ironic would it be if LeBron were to become an owner of the Chicago Bulls, the team that MJ made famous?

Related Story: 5 NBA players who should make a comeback

With ownership of a team, LeBron would add even more net worth to his name. It would all add up along with his lucrative endorsement deals and ongoing business ventures. The man has become a brand much like Jordan, and will likely continue to work that brand when he’s done participating in the game on the court.