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LeBron S.A. - sportowiec wart miliard dolarów

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Dorastał, nie mając nic, a mimo to jako nastolatek odrzucił leżący na stole kontrakt reklamowy wart 100 milionów dolarów. Będąc świeżo upieczonym absolwentem szkoły średniej, trzymał w szachu trzech gigantów: Nike, Adidasa i Reeboka, pokazując, że jego talent do biznesu jest równie wielki, jak do koszykówki. Imponował swoim podejściem do zawierania umów marketingowych, poza kwestiami finansowymi kierując się często również... sympatią do marki, a sposób, w jaki wypromował słuchawki Beats, był szeroko komentowanym majstersztykiem.

To właśnie dzięki takim ruchom LeBron James dołączył do grona nie tylko najlepszych, ale też najlepiej zarabiających sportowców świata. W tej książce przeczytasz, jak do tego doszło: poznasz kulisy negocjowania lukratywnych umów, szczegóły jego kluczowych decyzji biznesowych i strategię budowania wizerunku. Dowiesz się, jak to możliwe, że pochodzący z „siedliska przemocy” chłopak stanie się wkrótce miliarderem zaangażowanym w tak wiele różnych branż: począwszy od gum do żucia, przez rowery, aż po przemysł filmowy.

Bo LeBron to dziś coś więcej niż tylko wielki sportowiec. To globalna marka. Prężne przedsiębiorstwo. Po prostu: LeBron S.A.

315 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2019

127 people are currently reading
2091 people want to read

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Brian Windhorst

5 books28 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
Profile Image for Eilonwy.
904 reviews223 followers
November 17, 2019
3-1/2 stars, rounded up

This is entirely about the business side of LeBron James' basketball success, and was pretty interesting. For a book about money deals, it was surprisingly readable and entertaining.
Profile Image for Wayne.
97 reviews4 followers
May 1, 2019
Interesting details on how LeBron is building a business empire. Instead of signing typical sponsorship deals, he only chooses products he actually likes and tries to get ownership in the venture. For instance, one of the most interesting deals is that he got ownership in the Beats By Dre headphones business for wearing the headphones and then leveraging his status to give them out as gifts to the All-Star team and Olympic teams. It ended up creating a lot of buzz and demand for the headphones simply because LeBron could use his influence. Instead of a million dollar spokesman deal, he netted more than 30 million when the company was bought out by Apple. Smart businessman.

Overall, this was a quick read, and an interesting one.
Profile Image for Ian Morales.
228 reviews5 followers
July 2, 2019
As a ride-or-die Spurs fan, I have never cheered for Lebron James on the court. It is not personal, it is just sports. Off the court, however, I am a big fan of his. His philanthropic endeavors, specifically the educational ones, are worthy of praise and support. His business savvy and aspirations are worthy of study. For devout fans (Bronsexuals) or casual observers of James, this book is a quick and enjoyable way to learn how it all came together for James and company since high school days in Akron, Ohio.

Author Brian Windhorst, a sports writer and ESPN personality, seems to be the go-to author of choice for publishers when it wants to put out authorized works on the king (see Return of the King). His access, contacts and resources provided readers with interesting information about James' first shoe deal, his documentary release, his brand association choices, and of course, The Decision. Those hoping to learn more about his friends, now agent and business partners, should be satisfied as well.

Where the book fell short for me was when I expected Windhorst to shed even more specifics that may have shed a negative light on James. It felt almost like the info was "approved" by James and company, not the whole truth in these dealings. I guess I hoped for something more honest with even more details. I could be wrong, but it just feels that way.

That being said, I enjoyed the book and continue to cheer to James off the court despite being a Laker now. After reading, I sincerely hope his business savvy and philanthropic endeavors succeed. It is difficult not to root for James to be the first billionaire athlete and team owner one day. Long live King James, off the court of course.
Profile Image for Meysam Farashahi.
8 reviews1 follower
February 11, 2022
کتاب همونطوری که از اسم و کاور مشخصه در مورد زندگی لبران جیمز ابرستاره بسکتبال هست ولی نه آنچه او در زمین بسکتبال انجام میدهد بلکه در در مورد این که چگونه لبران جیمز بیزینس خود را گسترش داد و در هر دوره از زندگی ورزشی بهترین تصمیمات مالی را گرفت.
من به واسطه معرفی ترجمه و خوانش آقای کارن مکوندی با این کتاب آشنا شدم.
در مجموع اگر به بسکتبال آمریکا و این که ستارگان این ورزش چگونه کسب درامد میکنند علاقه دارید این کتاب رو بهتون پیشنهاد میکنم
Profile Image for Bernard.
40 reviews
December 8, 2023
Not what I expected. Too much corporate talk for me. I wanted more basketball action. I guess I should’ve read the title though.
8 reviews1 follower
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October 2, 2020
I am Kyle Martino, a reporter for the NBA, and today I interviewed the Los Angeles Laker superstar LeBron James. LeBron was recently the subject of a new book,”The Making of a Billion-Dollar Athlete,” by Brian Windhorst, and he stopped by to discuss some of the things that appear in the publication about his life. He grew up with his teenage mother in Akron, Ohio, where they struggled under the influence of poverty. This was due to the fact that when LeBron’s grandmother died, his mother did not have enough money to pay for the house, therefore resulting in the city condemning their house. Between ages 5 to 8 he moved 12 times, however, this did not stop LeBron James from pursuing his basketball passion. He attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, where he developed into a standout player at a young age and caught the eye of numerous college recruits as well as the NBA. After receiving offers from several colleges, LeBron decided to skip the college level strictly due to his financial status and headed into the NBA draft at only 18 years old. LeBron earned the number one overall pick getting drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, later reaching an astonishing nine NBA finals’ appearances in his career winning three of them (2 with the Miami Heat and 1 with the Cleveland Cavaliers). A big part of LeBron’s persona is standing up for the African-American community; speaking out for racial justice and equality which he does continuously. There are many ways you can characterize LeBron James but he is most certainly an inspiration to others whether it be on or off the court.

Reporter: LeBron, how would you describe yourself?
LeBron James: I have come a long way in my life and if not for my hard work and dedication I would not be where I am today. I am dedicated to the great game of basketball and I am grateful that god has given me the opportunity to play the game I love. Above all else my family is the most important in my life and I would go to mile high lengths for them.

Reporter: Can you describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today?
LeBron James: Growing up in poverty did not make life easy for my mom and I; bouncing around from house to house not knowing where we would sleep the next night. This did not get in my way and perhaps influenced me to work harder and become the best player I could possibly be. I challenged myself to extreme levels like all of the greatest players in basketball do; I wanted to be just like them. I made sure from that day forward I would do everything humanly possible to play in the NBA and show everyone what a poor black kid from Akron, Ohio could do.

Reporter: Would you tell me one thing about yourself that most people don't know and why don't they know it?
LeBron James: Well, when I was eighteen years old during my senior year of high school, I was offered a huge deal with Reebok which would total to $100 million dollars and I said no. I felt like I was the smartest person in the world because I knew there were going to be countless offers in the coming years once I entered the NBA and to be honest I have never made a better decision in my entire life. This day and crazy life decision has been overshadowed by my NBA career and is buried deep under all of my accomplishments and successes.



Reporter: How do you feel about your surroundings and why?
LeBron James: I feel as though I am continuously surrounded with people that are loving, caring, trustworthy, and hard working. These people are my family, teammates, coaches, staff, and friends. They are the ones that make my life better than it already is by just being who they are. I am only around positivity which is always a warm feeling to have and one that I love.

Reporter: LeBron you must have tons of friends, who would you say is your best friend and why?
LeBron James: Very funny Kyle, I would say that my best friend has been and will always be Carmelo Anthony. The two of us have been through thick and thin all the way from high school into the NBA. We have encountered our life’s journey together and I will cherish that forever, there is nobody like him. He is truly like a brother to me.

Reporter: In basketball you must come across a nemesis or rival, who do you consider to fit this description?
LeBron James: Of course I have come across a couple, but my ultimate rival is Stephen Curry. There is nobody more talented and as cool blooded than him. “Swish” is the sound of the net when Steph Curry scores, “Roar” is the sound of the Golden State Warriors fans jumping up and down screaming from the top of their lungs in happiness. He has beaten me a total of three times in the NBA finals which for me makes him a rival. In my opinion a rival is someone who is talented and has bested you in something which makes you have an urge to beat them everytime you play each other. That is how I feel everytime I match up with Steph Curry.


Reporter: LeBron, what would you say are the three words you'd use to describe yourself and why those three words?
LeBron James: I would say I am hard-working because whether it be on the court trying to improve or for my family doing my best to provide for them I never stop doing my job as a player or parent. Another word to describe myself is a leader because my job as a player is to motivate my teammates and help them improve to their full potential. I may yell or preach to my squad but it’s only in regards to positive feedback as well as constructive criticism which they take into account and reflect on. I believe that since day one of my basketball career I have acted like a leader. The last word I would use to describe myself is loving, and this is because I do not go a day without spending time with my beautiful wife and children. I love them all to pieces and Kyle if I were not here with you doing this interview I would be home with them.

Reporter: Out of the milestones you’ve reached and trophies collected, what do you consider your greatest achievement so far, and why?
LeBron James: That is a tough question and one that is itching away at me, but it would definitely be the come from behind 4-3 win in the NBA finals against the Golden State Warriors in 2017. It was my performance of a lifetime and to get the win made it all the more special. I had never been a part of such a back and forth series like that especially in the NBA finals and to win in that fashion will always be my greatest achievement.



Reporter: Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help and why?
LeBron James: If I were in desperate need of help I would turn to my wonderful wife who is constantly supportive and talks me through my problems. She has always been there for me since day one standing beside me when I am at my highs and lows. Savannah plays a massive role in my life and is all I could ask for in a wife.

Reporter: LeBron, name three things you consider yourself to be good at, and three things you consider yourself to be bad at.
LeBron James: We all have our strengths and weaknesses Kyle and I am sure you have some as well, but I would consider myself to be good at basketball, cooking, and being a parent to my children. With hard work and dedication I have managed to jursically develop in these categories, obviously, it did not just happen overnight. I would not say I am bad at anything rather I am subpar at some things including free throws, three point shooting, and golf. Even though they are my weaknesses right now with loads of practice and work eventually they could turn into my strengths.

Thank you LeBron James for sharing your life’s story with me and I hope to see you back here again for another interview, for more insight on LeBron’s incredible life you may read, “The Making of a Billion-Dollar Athlete,” by Brian Windhorst. I have to say LeBron, your determination and hard work throughout your life starting from nothing has inspired me to be more like you. THIS WAS A FICTIONAL INTERVIEW WRITTEN FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVIEWING THIS BOOK.











Profile Image for Joseph Fullbright.
33 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2021
Whether you love him, or you hate him- you should definitely check out this book. LeBron, Inc. gives you a great inside look at the BUSINESS side of LeBron James- a soon-to-be billionaire athlete and endorsement genius. Ever since he came into the league, he has had a target on his back due to the comparisons to Michael Jordan, his 'cockiness', and a perceived arrogance. This book solely focuses on the business side of his career. He isn't JUST a basketball player... he is a money-driving/producing MACHINE. There's never been anybody like him in human history.

Even if you aren't a basketball fan, this book will strike your interest- LBJ is more than an athlete: he is an incredible businessman... This book talks about certain risks that he took and how he essentially bet on himself to be great both on and off the court. One of my favorite chapters in the book is dedicated to his school, the "I Promise...." School- which serves underprivileged kids in the Akron, Ohio-area. If there was any doubt as to if LeBron was a smart man, this book answers those questions. He is a financial GENIUS (as well as arguably the best basketball player of all-time).
Profile Image for Quinn Rhodes.
43 reviews1 follower
July 11, 2020
Me: how’s business Lebron?
Lebron: booming
Profile Image for Antoine Toussaint.
4 reviews2 followers
February 5, 2020
Decent book. Interesting to watch LeBron grow as not only a basketball player and family man, but also as a business magnate that broke the rules of mixing friends/family with business. I like the fact that, though the book was centered on LeBron, it shared the backstory and evolution of the other three “Horsemen” as well as some of the lesser known details of his business dealings and failures. Excited to see how he continues to develop.

Question to ponder: besides Brian Windhorst and Skip Bayless how many members of sports media have made their whole careers based on LeBron?
Profile Image for Troy.
615 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2025
Really good read about LeBron from Windhorst. This book made me appreciate LeBron a little more as I don't love him even if he brought my team a trophy. I don't love the guy but I respect him and his endeavors. I respect that he is trying to make the world a better place and he is solid role model.
Profile Image for Heather.
240 reviews3 followers
January 31, 2025
High 3s, rounded to 4 for ease of reading. Interesting overview of the off-court movements of LeBron, written by someone who clearly has covered a lot of his career and has an appreciation of him. Always interested in the mega deals of North American sport, and learning more about how both brands and LeBron approached them at various stages of his career was insightful. Good to touch on the stuff that didn’t work, too, and also the charity aspect, how much helping his hometown means to him.
Profile Image for Alexandra Carter.
155 reviews
January 25, 2025
I enjoyed this! I have always heard about his basketball career only, but it was interesting to hear about the business side of things. He’s revolutionary on and off the basketball court.
Profile Image for niko.
114 reviews2 followers
June 27, 2020
lebron the GOAT!
Profile Image for Mateusz Siegieda.
41 reviews2 followers
January 9, 2023
Is this a book for everyone? No. Is it worth reading? Of course!

So who is this book for? I admit that my surprise was the fact that this position, contrary to the assessment, is not about basketball. Confirmation of this is the fact that the part describing the struggles of LeBron James' favorite in the world of basketball is maybe 10-15% of the whole book. Everything else concerns the "off-field" actions of the famous basketball player.

In the biography of many trivia them for the use of the network. The author has been observing a lot of relevant and unusual information about his possible investments and actions for about 20 years in close cooperation with LeBron, which is applied to who off the pitch the titular James has become. The book contains that there are no perfect people and even the greatest athletes in the world also make mistakes, whether investment or strictly PR. It was no different in this case either.

After reading this book, my opinion of him has changed. LeBron shown here is a recognized and prudent person in making an initial investment decision, and what is important, he has been like this since that summer when his career in the NBA was written for him.

The sheer number of projects in which he participated, or because it is incredibly large. Starting your business with contracts, shares in companies, acting career as well as creating your business from various industries. All this makes LeBron James a man of many talents (including non-sports ones) and thanks to all this, he will soon become the official title of "Billion Dollar Athlete".
622 reviews9 followers
May 5, 2019
I have to admit that after reading this book I have a higher opinion of Lebron James. As great as he is on the basketball court, he is also very good with his branding, promotions and business acumen. What's interesting is that there is evidence of his business and financial judgment going back to his high school years when the major shoe companies (Nike, Reebok and Adidas) were looking to lock him up to wear and sell their shoes.

Windhorst's book is about Lebron the entrepreneur as opposed to Lebron the basketball player though both go hand-in-hand. There are a number of interesting stories (The Decision to go to Miami and how that was announced on an ESPN live special) and evidence of his charitable works.

Good book that puts Lebron in a very good light...
Profile Image for Shawn.
370 reviews8 followers
August 3, 2019
Don't pick this up and expect a sports book. Instead you will find a very solid work by an excellent writer and journalist showing a behind-the-scenes look at the business side of a global celebrity.

Beyond the contracts to play the game, there are the endorsements, the business ventures, the investments, acquisitions, ownership groups, partnerships, charitable organizations, etc.

Through the 2019 season, Lebron had made $272 million in salary.
Yet Forbes (a fairly reputable magazine that knows a thing or two about the business world) estimated he has earned $765 million overall in his career.
This extra $500 million is from more than just Nike and Sprite endorsements.

If you get inspired by the Warren Buffets of the world, you'd find this book enjoyable.
Profile Image for Favian.
192 reviews2 followers
July 16, 2019
If you are curious to know how LeBron James operates outside the confines of the basketball court, then this is the book for you. The book covers his business acumen, from his successes and shortcomings. LeBron has always been vocal that he wants to be known for being more than an athlete and his forays into the marketing and media industry are explained in detail. Using his talent and fame as leverage, he has opened doors not only for himself but also for the less fortunate in his community as well. Brian Windhorst has witnessed LeBron's growth not only from a prodigy to a champion, but from a neophyte to a mogul as well.
Profile Image for Katie.
409 reviews6 followers
March 17, 2021
A fascinating look into the multiple off-the-court business dealings of LeBron James. While I can't root for him while he plays for the Lakers (ew), I look forward to the time when I can watch LeBron and his team (notably Maverick Carter and Rich Paul) make more moves to spread positivity and awareness across their multiple platforms. Not only is LeBron a once-in-a-generation athlete, he is a great entrepreneur, innovator, role model, parent, and overall human being.

Now pardon me while I do a deep dive into the Uninterrupted YouTube page. SO MUCH CONTENT!
Profile Image for Monique.
1,815 reviews
May 18, 2019
Lebron is one hell of a basketball player but he is a better business man. He has a love of helping at risk children reach their potential. In the last 10 years, he has used his money and resources to make a difference in public education in Cleveland. The I Promise school should be modeled all over the country.
Profile Image for Claire.
128 reviews
July 14, 2019
This was an interesting read. I liked hearing more about some of the deals LeBron had already made and his supposed thought process. The author sometimes had a kind of weird tone about LeBron akin to hero worshiping and I got the impression that parts were assumed or left out, but overall I would recommend this book.
Profile Image for James Marlow.
7 reviews1 follower
April 15, 2019
An intimate look into the revolutionary business success of Lebron James

This book is awesome. It really reveals that Lebron has been as revolutionary off the court as he has been on it.
27 reviews
August 30, 2019
An interesting look into LeBron's business philosophy and unconventional style. Also an interesting look at how mature he was at 18 and how he learned to be a businessman. Some sound lessons to learn here.
6 reviews
September 20, 2023
I would recommend this to any LeBron fan or person that like to know a little bit more about the relation between sports and business. The title describes it best you’ll go through LeBron James as an enterprise.
Profile Image for Jon Oks.
13 reviews1 follower
June 7, 2023
Interesting facts about Lebron, but written so simplistically like a high schooler who did his research and just pieced all the facts together
3 reviews
September 10, 2023
Was interesting learning about the behind the scenes of lebron off the court. Was good without blowing my mind.
Profile Image for Nathan Bantle.
97 reviews2 followers
March 28, 2024
A simple overview of LeBron‘s life from high school till he went to Los Angeles. Really well done and makes you incredibly impressed with LeBron as a person.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews

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