<P> Throughout his career, James has taken a unique approach to his playing contracts, usually opting to sign shorter term deals in order to maximize his earnings potential and flexibility; for example, in 2006, he and the Cavaliers negotiated a three - year, $60 million contract extension instead of the four - year maximum as it allotted him the option of seeking a new contract worth more money as an unrestricted free agent following the 2010 season . This move ultimately allowed James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh to sign with the Heat together . During his second stint in Cleveland, he began opting out and re-signing on new contracts after each season in order to take advantage of higher salaries resulting from the NBA's rising salary cap . In 2016, he signed with the Cavaliers on a three - year deal, becoming the highest - paid player in the league for the first time in his career . </P> <P> James has numerous endorsement contracts; some of the companies he does business with are Audemars Piguet, Coca - Cola, Dunkin' Brands, McDonald's, Nike, State Farm, and Samsung . Coming out of high school, he was the target of a three - way bidding war among Nike, Reebok, and Adidas, eventually signing with Nike for approximately $90 million . His signature shoes have performed well for Nike . In 2011, Fenway Sports Group became the sole global marketer of his rights, and as part of the deal, he was granted a minority stake in the English Premier League football club Liverpool FC, who he has claimed his support for . As a result of James' endorsement money and NBA salary, he has been listed as one of the world's highest - paid athletes . In 2013, he surpassed Kobe Bryant as the highest paid basketball player in the world, with earnings of $56.5 million . In 2014, James realized a profit of more than $30 million as part of Apple's acquisition of Beats Electronics; he had originally struck a deal to get a small stake in the company at its inception in exchange for promoting its headphones . In 2015, he was ranked the sixth highest earning sportsperson, and third highest in 2016 (after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi). James has stated that we would like to own an NBA team in the future, albeit in a hands - off capacity . </P> <P> James, with comedian Jimmy Kimmel, co-hosted the 2007 ESPY Awards . In other comedic pursuits, he hosted the 33rd - season premiere of Saturday Night Live . He has also tried his hand at acting, appearing in a cameo role on the HBO series Entourage . In 2015, he played himself in the Judd Apatow film Trainwreck, receiving positive reviews for his performance . That same year, James' digital video company, Uninterrupted, raised $15.8 million from Warner Bros. Entertainment and Turner Sports to help expand the company's efforts to bring athlete - created content to fans . It is hosted on Bleacher Report and is used by several other athletes including New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman . </P> <P> Along with business partner Maverick Carter, James owns production company SpringHill Entertainment, whose first work was the Lions Gate documentary More Than a Game, released in 2009 and chronicling James' high school years . Series produced by SpringHill include the Disney XD sports documentaries Becoming, Starz sitcom Survivor's Remorse, and animated web series The LeBrons . In 2016, CNBC aired an unscripted series hosted by James called Cleveland Hustles, where four up - and - coming Northern Ohio entrepreneurs will be financed on the condition of revitalizing a neighborhood in Cleveland . In the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival, a 60 - minute Vince Carter documentary entitled The Carter Effect was executive produced by James and Maverick Carter along with rapper Drake and Future the Prince . </P>

How old was lebron when he won his first championship