When it comes to endorsements, no NBA star has played the game better than LeBron James. His billion-dollar empire is fueled largely by sponsorships, with powerhouse brands like Nike, PepsiCo, and McDonald’s chipping in nearly $900 million (pretax). At the center of it all is his lifetime contract with Nike, valued at a staggering $1 billion, making LeBron not just a basketball legend but one of the most marketable athletes in history. But now, the ground beneath the NBA’s endorsement landscape feels less steady. Pablo Torre’s bombshell report on Kawhi Leonard’s $28 million “no-show” deal with Aspiration has shaken the league, raising uncomfortable questions about transparency and accountability.

A net worth of $1.2 billion does raise your eyebrows at times. Especially when you realize ho

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