Liverpool has paid tribute to basketball legend LeBron James on social media after he became the first player in NBA history to reach 50,000 career points.
James, the Los Angeles Lakers star, led the US national basketball team to its 18th Olympics final last summer, an event which it has dominated since its introduction in 1936. On that occasion, they won gold by beating France.
But James is also a minority investor in Fenway Sports Group, the Liverpool FC owner. American investors, owners and sponsorships are now littered through the English soccer pyramid. When James was first awarded a two per cent take in the club as part of a marketing deal with the Boston-based group, it was valued at around $6.0m (£4.7m/€5.5m).
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He technically got rid of those shares in 2022, trading them in for a one per cent stake in the overall FSG empire, which included the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins and a share in the NASCAR team RFK Racing. According to The Mirror, the 39-year-old's Liverpool shares had increased in value by approximately $45m (£35m/€31m) by the time he divested himself of them.
As a result of his FSG involvement, LeBron has become a more visible part of the Liverpool operation in recent years, with the club releasing two 'LFC x LeBron' merchandise ranges alongside Nike that have proved to be a commercial hit. The clothing line merges the fashion and themes of both parties.
While watching the Los Angeles Lakers in action from the sidelines, James was spotted wearing a full Liverpool tracksuit last month. It is not the first time the basketball star has endorsed Reds wear overseas either.
Liverpool supporters have long embraced James' brand being involved with their own team, with the NBA icon frequently referencing the club in interviews and on social media. He has previously worn Liverpool merchandise on multiple occasions.
Liverpool.com says: LeBron James is not a bad ally to have when it comes to marketing. While he isn't the most interested person in soccer in the world, the sport is booming in the US at the moment and will continue to expand in the coming years.
Liverpool being at the forefront of that will be hugely important commercially. James can play a big part in that, and so too will ensuring that the Reds are competing regularly for the biggest prizes, just like they are this season under Arne Slot.
