A behind-the-scenes streaming series on LeBron James’ final NBA season could be worth between $40 million and $75 million for the basketball legend, according to media executives.
As reported by Anthony Lima, a broadcaster working for Cleveland’s 92.3 The Fan as well as a local CBS affiliate and ESPN+, the TV execs think the media rights for James’ ‘farewell tour’ would prompt a bidding war among streaming companies.
James is believed to be the first active NBA player to reach billionaire status and still earns more than $52 million in annual salary, so he isn’t exactly hurting for money.
But as Lima points out, the added income he’d receive from a docuseries could still prove significant.
With James set to hit the free-agent market at 41 this summer, he would have the freedom to sign with any club that has the salary-cap space to absorb his next contract. And if James were willing to sign for the veteran’s minimum, which is about $3.6 million, he could sign anywhere, according to the rules of the NBA’s collective-bargaining agreement.
And of course, James’ willingness to take such a pay cut could be impacted by an extra $40 million to $75 million in streaming salary coming his way.
LeBron James warms up before a recent game in Cleveland, where he’s enjoyed two stints
‘So yes, he could play for vet minimum next year on a title contender and still get compensation for his value,’ Lima wrote on X. ‘Add in final year of one-off marketing deals and it’s a no-brainer. Basically entire season would be brought to you by ‘LeBron James and Friends.’
‘Move over Ronaldo, LeBron would be the highest earning athlete in the world next season in Cleveland, Ohio.’
Of course, Lima’s readers are primarily from Cleveland, where the 35-21 Cavaliers are rumored to be a potential landing spot for James this summer. The Cavs will inevitably be far over the NBA’s ‘soft’ cap for the 2026-27 season, so Lima’s reporting was well received by his followers.
‘I feel like the storyline of a future documentary or movie is better with a return to Cleveland,’ one follower wrote of James, who won an NBA title during his second stint with the Cavs in 2016.
Another title in Cleveland wold certainly be a fitting ending to the Akron native’s career, but he still has a chance to win a title with his current team, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Coming back from the All-Star break, NBA leading scorer Luka Doncic is set to return from a hamstring injury for the 33-21 Lakers as guard Austin Reaves comes off his minute restriction.
James could take a veteran’s minimum salary in 2026-27 to sign wherever he pleases
James, who recently became the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double, is also expected to be in uniform Friday against the LA Clippers.
That means Lakers coach JJ Redick could have his best three players in uniform together for just the 11th time in 55 games this season.
‘It’s funny, we were talking before the season about building continuity with those three guys, and we’ve had them available together for 10 games,’ Redick said.
‘It’s just the situation we’re in. We’re not the only team that has had a bunch of health issues throughout the season and had to manage that, but my message to the players this morning was that this is going to be a sprint for these last 28 games.’
