LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal’s Long Lost Interest in Las Vegas Might Get Revived after NCAA Initiative by $14 Billion Co’s Sports Venture

Published 09/11/2023, 2:21 PM EDT

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LeBron James has been quite vocal about two things for the future. One is to play in the same team or share a court with his elder son, Bronny James. Another is his long-lost interest in owning an NBA franchise. His idol Michael Jordan did it post-retirement, and his good friend Dwyane Wade has done it twice now.

Wade, who retired in 2019, was earlier interested in getting his grip around his beloved franchise Miami Heat, but there’s only so much you can do. So, when he got the chance to hold a minority stake in the Utah Jazz, he grabbed it. With expertise, fast forward two years, he joined the ownership group of the WNBA franchise, Chicago Sky.

A new opportunity in the city of Las Vegas

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When it comes to building an independent empire, nobody comes close to Jordan, James, and Shaquille O’Neal. MJ, being a sports icon legend, whatever he touches turns to gold. Only he could have owned a mediocre NBA franchise like the Charlotte Hornets and still made billions upon its sale. On the other hand, Shaq considered NBA team ownership when the Suns were up for sale. However, with Jeff Bezos involved, he preferred joining an ownership group. Meanwhile, Fox Sports, a colossal $14 billion corporation, has recently made moves that could pique the interest of LeBron James and other sports moguls.

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Fox Sports is in discussions to host a new men’s college basketball tournament in Las Vegas. The proposed tournament would feature the top 16 teams from the Big East, Big Ten, and Big 12 that didn’t secure NCAA tournament berths. Even if these teams receive NIT invitations, they’d be obligated to decline.

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The envisioned event will be at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena in late March after the NCAA Elite Eight games. With a seating capacity of around 18,000 for basketball, T-Mobile Arena is no stranger to hosting large crowds, making it an ideal venue for this proposed tournament. If the tournament materializes, Fox plans to work with corporate partners for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals for players. Moreover, if this event proves successful, it could prompt the All-time Points Leader to take immediate action. Such an opportunity might not come again.

LeBron James’ Vegas NBA Ownership Ambition

In 2022, James reiterated his desire to own an NBA franchise in Vegas, should the league expand to the city. LBJ made this statement following a preseason game in Las Vegas, where his Los Angeles Lakers faced the Phoenix Suns. In a post-game press conference, he professed his admiration for the city’s devoted fanbase and his dream of bringing an NBA team to Las Vegas.

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Reflecting on playing in Las Vegas, James expressed his admiration for the city and its incredible fanbase. He describes it as “wonderful” and “the best fanbase in the world“. He further expressed his deep desire to bring an NBA team to Las Vegas in the future, emphasizing how amazing it would be. In a playful yet sincere tone, he addressed NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s presence in Abu Dhabi too. He humorously noted that Silver likely keeps a close eye on interviews and transcripts from NBA players. LeBron ended with gratitude, saying, I want the team here, Adam. Thank you“.

As the NBA continues to evolve and explore new frontiers, the possibility of a Las Vegas franchise becomes increasingly plausible. LeBron James, with his penchant for seizing opportunities, may soon see his ownership dream come true.

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What are your thoughts on this new opportunity for King James? Let us know in the comments below!

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Written by:

Almas Saad

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Mohammad Almas Saad is an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports. Almas has over four years of experience writing about the sport he loves. He began right after college and has composed more than 500 stories.
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Edited by:

Saumya Khanduja