sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
LeBron James 'refuses to pay' for one thing almost everyone uses despite being first active NBA billionaire

Home> NBA

Updated 18:00 12 May 2025 GMT+1Published 15:11 12 May 2025 GMT+1

LeBron James 'refuses to pay' for one thing almost everyone uses despite being first active NBA billionaire

Even though he's one of the most richest athletes in the world, LeBron James refuses to spend his money on the service.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

LeBron James refuses to pay for a service which almost everyone uses - despite being the first active NBA player to become a billionaire.

The Los Angeles Lakers star is one of the very best ever to step onto the court, with four NBA championships to his name. The three-time Olympic gold medalist is also the highest-scorer in the history of the NBA, with 42,184 points.

It's estimated that 'King' has made around $900 million from his NBA career, turning out for Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and the Lakers.

But he has also raked in millions from various endorsement deals and taking equity in brands and businesses to become one of the richest athletes in the world.

Advert

According to Forbes, James has a staggering net worth of $1.2 billion and given he was born to 16-year-old single mother and moved residence a lot, he has quite rightly splashed the cash on luxuries which he worked hard for.

However, James does have exceptions to things he would pay for. In a segment with Kelly Ripa for 'Live! With Kelly!' - former Miami teammate Dwyane Wade did not hesitate in naming LeBron as "the cheapest" player he has crossed paths with.

He said "Oh, LeBron'" before the question had even been read out fully.

LeBron James admits he refuses to pay for service even with billionaire status

That was perceived as James being a tight tipper but Wade's wife Gabrielle Union explained that James "does not mess with data roaming" when there is no WiFi, later adding that "he doesn't take his phone if he's not assured of WiFi".

James was asked about Wade's comments when the two sat down for an interview with ESPN's Rachel Nichols and joked that the claim was "so, so, so, so falsely true."

When Wade brought up the WiFi phone rule, James confirmed that it is legitimate.

"No, I'm not doing that," James stated.

"I'm not turning on data roaming, I'm not buying no apps, I still got Pandora with commercials. I'll be listening to some great music at home and then a commercial says, 'You want to win three tickets to the Cavs game to meet LeBron, D-Wade and Kevin Love'."

When the reporter reminded James of his wealth by saying, "You know you're rich, right?", he simply replied: "I'm not paying for it!".

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Lebron James, NBA, Basketball, LA Lakers

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Recommended reads

Dennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

20 days ago
23 days ago
24 days ago
a month ago
  • Getty
    20 days ago

    Shaquille O'Neal responds to claims he slid into Sabrina Carpenter's DMs

    O'Neal has strongly denied the claims.

    NBA
  • Getty
    23 days ago

    Steph Curry left stunned as teammate stretchered off after horrible freak injury

    Golden State Warriors star Moses Moody had to be stretchered off during the win over the Dallas Mavericks after a freak injury.

    NBA
  • Getty
    24 days ago

    NCAA basketballer goes viral over astonishing height difference to 6ft 8in opponent

    Olivier Rioux, of the Florida Gators, stands at a towering 7ft 9in tall.

    NBA
  • Getty
    a month ago

    Former NBA and NFL cheerleader reveals contract clause which can't be broken

    Maxxine Dupri performed as a cheerleader in both the NBA and the NFL and lifted the lid on the strict contract clause.

    NBA
  • LeBron James vs Steph Curry debate settled as NBA legend reveals which star would win 1v1 tournament
  • LeBron James was left visibly stunned after watching wild Steph Curry moment during their first meeting
  • How LeBron James spent his very first paycheck from Nike is guaranteed to surprise NBA fans
  • LeBron James had zero doubts when naming the smartest teammate of his career who 'knows everything'