"I don't know a person in the world who doesn't like pizza"- LeBron James' simple philosophy earned him a fortune of over $30 million and counting
LeBron James has not only set the gold standard on the hardwood but also in the investment world, with his contributions. The four-time champion attained billionaire status in 2022, becoming the first active player in NBA history to achieve this historic milestone.
Though James was only 18 years old when he made his NBA debut, he was unlike most teenagers. The Kid from Akron never let the glitz and glamor get to his head, showing veteran-like wisdom from an early age, which was also visible in how he handled his finances.
A case in point was his $1 million investment in the fast-food pizza chain, Blaze Pizza, in 2012. The franchise restaurant was founded in 2011 by Elise and Rick Wetzel and had fewer than 10 outlets when James decided to invest in it. Not to mention his decision to let go of the lucrative McDonald's deal, which would have earned him an annual income of an estimated $15 million.
However, the NBA superstar relied heavily on his conviction when it came to the fast-food pizza chain, which followed a business model similar to that of Chipotle and Subway, allowing customers to build their own pizza, assembling all customizations in three minutes.
LeBron opened up about his pizza endeavor
Taking the leap of faith paid off for James, which was commendable given the high volatility associated with the food and beverage industry. LBJ, along with his business partner and close friend, Maverick Carter, chose the less reliable route, opting for equity over steady paychecks.
During a 2017 episode of Uninterrupted's Kneading Dough, James got candid about what drew him towards the pizza chain.
"I believed in the actual product first. I remember going to UC Irvine, the first-ever Blaze, and we tasted the product, and the product was phenomenal…And you came to me with the proposition that we actually own our own and be franchisees of a couple cities in America. And the numbers that you were showing me, the numbers that we could make if we just put the time in effort into it, would be exceeding what McDonald's would be giving me guaranteed over the next four years," James told Carter.
LeBron emphasized that he wanted to build something from the outset, taking on the responsibility and not worrying much about profit and loss. The four-time champion followed a simple rule of thumb when it came to parking his money in the pizza business.
"I was like, 'Who doesn't like pizza?' I don't know a person in the world who doesn't like pizza, I don't care what kind of diet you're on!" expressed James, who has built a billion-dollar empire over the years.
The art of balancing
James is no doubt a testament to finding success both on and off the court. Nevertheless, basketball remained the top priority, with the rest being a byproduct of his relentless efforts, dedication and work ethic. He recently discussed balancing his basketball brilliance with building a billion-dollar empire .
"I really kept the main thing the main thing and understanding that nothing else is going to be able to blossom unless I take care of my craft first. You take care of your craft, look out for your family, and the business side will take care of itself if that's what you want to accomplish, if that's what you want to do," explained the four-time MVP.
One can presume that LeBron applied some of his basketball principles in his role as an investor as well, especially in terms of having a long-term vision, taking accountability and control and always putting in the work, which was the key to his greatness.
Related: LeBron James believes Jalen Johnson can be a "Scottie Pippen type of player" in the NBA
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jan 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
