LeBron James has remained in the headlines throughout the offseason. About 3 weeks after announcing his move to the Philadelphia 76ers, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer launched a new project away from basketball.
James turned his attention to golf, one of his growing personal interests, by launching an official YouTube channel dedicated to the sport. The move followed an offseason that also included his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers and his decision to begin a record-extending 24th NBA season in Philadelphia.
LeBron signs with the Philadelphia 76ers
LeBron James officially joined the Philadelphia 76ers in July, ending his 8-season run with the Los Angeles Lakers. His decision followed weeks of speculation over where he would play his record-extending 24th NBA season.
James signed a reported 2-year, $8 million contract with a player option, taking a substantial pay cut after earning more than $50 million during his final Lakers season.
James called the move his “last decision” and said another championship remains his goal. In Philadelphia, he joins a roster featuring Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey as the 76ers pursue another title run.
His emotional goodbye to the Lakers
Before choosing his next team, James thanked the Lakers after announcing that his 8-season run in Los Angeles was ending. He responded to the organization’s farewell message by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to wear the purple and gold.
James said it had been an honor to wear the Lakers’ colors while trying to continue the greatness and legacies established by players before him. His tenure included the 2020 NBA championship and several major career milestones.
The message closed a Lakers chapter that began in 2018 and lasted through the 2025/26 season before James ultimately chose Philadelphia for the next stage of his career.
LeBron launches new golf YouTube channel
About 3 weeks after announcing his move to the 76ers, James launched an official YouTube channel centered on his growing interest in golf. The debut episode ran for more than 90 minutes.
The channel is designed to follow James as he visits notable golf courses around the world, combining golf with travel, competition, food and time with friends.
The project adds another media venture to James’ off-court portfolio and gives viewers a closer look at a sport he has increasingly embraced in recent years.
Inside the debut video’s Cavs reunion
The first episode featured a special reunion of the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers championship team on a golf trip through Scotland. That squad famously ended a 52-year title drought for the city of Cleveland.
Former teammates, including Kevin Love, JR Smith, Richard Jefferson, Tristan Thompson, and Channing Frye, joined the trip. Their chemistry translated easily from the court to the golf course, giving fans a nostalgic and entertaining watch.
The episode description promised great food, wine, and plenty of laughs along the journey. Fans quickly praised the authentic camaraderie, noting how rare it is to see retired champions reunite years after their historic victory.
LeBron opens up about his golf game
James has openly acknowledged that he is still learning golf. When asked to describe his style, he said his current approach is to manage the course while he continues to develop his game.
He explained that not every par 4 or par 5 requires using a driver, emphasizing course management and shot selection instead. James also said one of his golf goals for 2026 is to break 90.
The comments offer a look at James as he learns a sport in which strategy and consistency remain central to his development.
LeBron’s growing empire of businesses
James has built one of the most valuable off-court portfolios in professional sports. Forbes estimates that he has earned more than $1 billion before taxes from business ventures and endorsement deals during his career.
James and longtime business partner Maverick Carter built SpringHill into a major entertainment business. A 2021 minority investment valued the company at $725 million, with outside investors including RedBird Capital Partners, Fenway Sports Group, Nike and Epic Games.
The new golf channel adds another media project to James’ expanding off-court interests as he prepares for a record-extending 24th NBA season with Philadelphia.
Little-known fact: James is entering his 24th NBA season with Philadelphia, making him one of the longest-tenured superstars in league history.
Blaze Pizza and other big wins
One of James’ best-known investments is Blaze Pizza. In 2012, James, Maverick Carter, and investment adviser Paul Wachter invested less than $1 million in the fast-casual pizza chain.
James later chose not to renew his McDonald’s endorsement agreement, walking away from about $15 million in guaranteed money as he increased his commitment to Blaze. By 2017, the partners’ original investment had grown substantially in value.
Blaze remained a sizable restaurant chain in 2025, when Technomic estimated its U.S. systemwide sales at $313 million. The investment has become a prominent example of James’ preference for ownership and equity opportunities alongside traditional endorsements.
Fun fact: LeBron James turned down that $15 million McDonald’s deal specifically because he wanted equity, not just a paycheck.
Savannah James launches her own venture
James is not the only member of his family making business headlines this year. His wife, Savannah James, and longtime business partner April McDaniel launched Signed, a new holding company, in June.
Signed brings together Crown+Conquer, McDaniel’s creative agency; Let It Break, a membership-based women’s community; and the pair’s Everybody’s Crazy podcast. The company launched in partnership with MarcyPen Capital Partners, the private equity and venture capital firm co-founded by Jay-Z.
The new company gives James and McDaniel a single structure for developing their existing creative, media, and community ventures.
TL;DR
- James signed a 2-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers after ending his 8-season run with the Lakers.
- He posted a farewell message thanking the Lakers and reflecting on his time in the purple and gold.
- About 3 weeks after announcing his move to Philadelphia, James launched an official YouTube channel focused on golf.
- The debut episode featured a golf trip to Scotland with several teammates from Cleveland’s 2016 championship team.
- James said he is still learning golf and currently describes his approach as managing the course.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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