LeBron James is one of the most influential voices in the NBA, and he took to Twitter to let his voice be heard about another controversial topic.
Reports about Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé's potential record-breaking deal worth $776 million with Saudi club Al-Hilal rocked the sports world on Monday, July 24. James and his close friend, Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green, both showed their stance on Twitter should they be offered a similar deal by the Middle Eastern nation.
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"Me headed to Saudi when they call @RichPaul4 & @mavcarter for that 1 year deal!” James wrote in a tweet on Monday, alongside a GIF of the famous scene of Forrest Gump sprinting onto the street.
James tagged Rich Paul, his agent, and Maverick Carter, his business partner and longtime friend, in the tweet.
Me headed to Saudi when they call @RichPaul4 & @mavcarter for that 1 year deal! ✌🏾🤷🏾♂️😁 pic.twitter.com/IX0VSMZYNb
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 25, 2023
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Just 35 minutes after James’ tweet, Green, who is also a client of Rich Paul, tweeted as well.
“They got basketball leagues too right?” Green said. “I don’t the ink on my contract has dried up yet.”
Green just signed a 4-year, $100 million contract to remain with the Golden State Warriors earlier in the month.
They got basketball leagues too right? 😱😱🏃🏿🏃🏿💨💨💨💨💨 I don’t the ink on my contract has dried up yet 🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) July 25, 2023
James and Green’s thoughts show a perspective into the minds of professional athletes as Saudi Arabia continues to pour money into sports through its sovereign wealth fund.
James' career earnings after 20 years in the NBA is $431 million, well short of what the 24-year-old Mbappé would reportedly make in one season in the Saudi Pro League. Green has made $155 million in 11 seasons, and would have $255 million by the end of his deal in 2027.
Saudi Arabia offered hundreds of millions of dollars to poach star golfers like Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka, and did the same with soccer megastar Cristiano Ronaldo. Many have criticized Saudi for “sportswashing,” which is investing big in sports as a way to hide the human rights atrocities that have taken place in the country.
The country’s Public Investment Fund has massive investments in the WWE, Formula 1, soccer, boxing, and rocked the golf world with the creation of the LIV Golf league and framework deal to partner with the PGA Tour. It’s also reportedly looking into tennis.
There have been no indications yet that the Saudis are looking to enter the NBA -- whether it’s by acquiring their players or purchasing ownership stakes in teams. But the NBA has new regulations that allow sovereign wealth funds to own up to 20% of a team.
The Qatar Investment Authority was the first to wield this power when they bought a 5% stake in Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Washington Wizards.
