LeBron James on Why He Turned Down a US$10 Million Cash Check from Reebok

Before LeBron made it big, the basketball legend had to make the decision of a lifetime.

Photo: NBA

LeBron James has revealed that he once turned down a US$10 million dollar cash check from Reebok. The brand also offered LeBron a US$100 million contract.

This was revealed in the latest episode of Kneading Dough, which aired Wednesday, April 26.

Why did LeBron say no, despite being an 18-year-old athlete – albeit one with great potential – but one who was living in a modest US$17 a month apartment at that time?

According to The Street, the athlete was reluctant to put all his eggs in one basket.

“If he’s willing to give me a $10 million check right now, what’s to say Nike or Adidas isn’t willing to give me $20 (million) or $30 (million) upfront or to say that the upfront money isn’t even the biggest thing,” LeBron told Maverick Cater, host of Kneading Dough.

We know LeBron chose Nike in the end. Despite the deal being about US$10 million less (a seven-year US$90 million deal), LeBron and Nike signed a lifetime deal that’s worth more US$1 billion.

Looks like LeBron played the long game, and that paid off big time.