![When LeBron James chose Nike in 2003, he gave up $28 million — it could end up making him $1 billion - MarketWatch When LeBron James chose Nike in 2003, he gave up $28 million — it could end up making him $1 billion - MarketWatch](https://ei.marketwatch.com/Multimedia/2019/08/28/Photos/ZH/MW-HQ323_lebron_20190828143144_ZH.jpg?uuid=163d1246-c9c2-11e9-8c5b-9c8e992d421e)
When LeBron James chose Nike in 2003, he gave up $28 million — it could end up making him $1 billion - MarketWatch
![Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) chases down a lose ball against Doug Christie during his NBA debut against he Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, California October 29, 2003. The 18-year-old 6-foot-8 James, first Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) chases down a lose ball against Doug Christie during his NBA debut against he Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, California October 29, 2003. The 18-year-old 6-foot-8 James, first](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D3JPWX/cleveland-cavaliers-lebron-james-23-chases-down-a-lose-ball-against-doug-christie-during-his-nba-debut-against-he-sacramento-kings-in-sacramento-california-october-29-2003-the-18-year-old-6-foot-8-james-first-pick-in-the-2003-nba-draft-made-his-nba-debut-in-sacramento-wearing-his-signature-nike-shoes-dubbed-the-zoom-generation-james-signed-a-multiyear-endorsement-deal-with-nike-for-a-reported-90-million-dollars-reutersmike-blake-mb-2D3JPWX.jpg)
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) chases down a lose ball against Doug Christie during his NBA debut against he Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, California October 29, 2003. The 18-year-old 6-foot-8 James, first
![Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) shoots baseline for two points his NBA debut against he Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, California October 29, 2003. The 18-year-old 6-foot-8 James, first pick in the 2003 Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) shoots baseline for two points his NBA debut against he Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, California October 29, 2003. The 18-year-old 6-foot-8 James, first pick in the 2003](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D4GJM6/cleveland-cavaliers-lebron-james-23-shoots-baseline-for-two-points-his-nba-debut-against-he-sacramento-kings-in-sacramento-california-october-29-2003-the-18-year-old-6-foot-8-james-first-pick-in-the-2003-nba-draft-made-his-nba-debut-in-sacramento-wearing-his-signature-nike-shoes-dubbed-the-zoom-generation-james-signed-a-multiyear-endorsement-deal-with-nike-for-a-reported-90-million-dollars-reutersmike-blake-mb-2D4GJM6.jpg)
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) shoots baseline for two points his NBA debut against he Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, California October 29, 2003. The 18-year-old 6-foot-8 James, first pick in the 2003
![LeBron James Helps Nike Make $600 Million a Year and Recently Saw the Company Place Him in the Same Club as Michael Jordan: 'I'm Definitely Honored' LeBron James Helps Nike Make $600 Million a Year and Recently Saw the Company Place Him in the Same Club as Michael Jordan: 'I'm Definitely Honored'](https://www.sportscasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/LeBron-James-Nike.jpg)
LeBron James Helps Nike Make $600 Million a Year and Recently Saw the Company Place Him in the Same Club as Michael Jordan: 'I'm Definitely Honored'
![Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) drives to the hoop past Sacramento Kings Mike Bibby (L) and Doug Christie (R) during his NBA debut against he Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, California October 29, Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) drives to the hoop past Sacramento Kings Mike Bibby (L) and Doug Christie (R) during his NBA debut against he Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, California October 29,](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D3CP57/cleveland-cavaliers-lebron-james-23-drives-to-the-hoop-past-sacramento-kings-mike-bibby-l-and-doug-christie-r-during-his-nba-debut-against-he-sacramento-kings-in-sacramento-california-october-29-2003-the-18-year-old-6-foot-8-james-first-pick-in-the-2003-nba-draft-made-his-nba-debut-in-sacramento-wearing-his-signature-nike-shoes-dubbed-the-zoom-generation-james-signed-a-multiyear-endorsement-deal-with-nike-for-a-reported-90-million-dollars-reutersmike-blake-pp03110002-mb-2D3CP57.jpg)
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) drives to the hoop past Sacramento Kings Mike Bibby (L) and Doug Christie (R) during his NBA debut against he Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, California October 29,
![Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) makes his NBA debut against he Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, California October 29, 2003. The 18-year-old 6-foot-8 James, first pick in the 2003 NBA draft, made his Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) makes his NBA debut against he Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, California October 29, 2003. The 18-year-old 6-foot-8 James, first pick in the 2003 NBA draft, made his](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D4EHH6/cleveland-cavaliers-lebron-james-23-makes-his-nba-debut-against-he-sacramento-kings-in-sacramento-california-october-29-2003-the-18-year-old-6-foot-8-james-first-pick-in-the-2003-nba-draft-made-his-nba-debut-in-sacramento-wearing-his-signature-nike-shoes-dubbed-the-zoom-generation-james-signed-a-multiyear-endorsement-deal-with-nike-for-a-reported-90-million-dollars-reutersmike-blake-pp03110002-mbma-2D4EHH6.jpg)