LeBron James secures $300 million loan via future non-NBA earnings

LeBron James secured nearly $300 million in financing through his company, King James Funding LLC, by issuing asset-backed bonds. The transaction, which dates back to 2018, was structured to use his future non-NBA earnings as collateral rather than his professional basketball salary.

Key revenue streams backing the debt include his lifetime sponsorship agreement with Nike and other off-court business assets. The bonds were purchased by North American Company for Life and Health Insurance and Midland National Life Insurance Co., both owned by Sammons Financial Group. The original bonds carry a 4.8% interest rate and are set to mature in 2049.

A spokesperson for James described the arrangement as a “securitization” involving personal, non-NBA income and assets, noting it is a common financial structure for individuals with high levels of wealth. The deal was managed with advice from Guggenheim Partners.