LeBron James secures major Amazon deal, expanding his media empire

Key Points

• LeBron James signs a major distribution deal with Amazon, bringing his basketball podcast “Mind the Game” to Prime Video, Music, and Echo devices. 
• The second season of “Mind the Game,” co-hosted by Steve Nash, premieres in April, with episodes available on YouTube and podcast platforms.
• James’ $1.2 billion net worth fuels ventures in sports, media, and ownership, including WNBA stakes and a $7 billion NBA expansion bid.

LeBron James, the NBA superstar and billionaire entrepreneur, has signed a major distribution deal with Amazon to bring his basketball podcast, Mind the Game, to a wider audience. The partnership will make the series available on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Fire TV Channels, and Echo devices, strengthening James’ growing presence in the media world.

The Lakers superstar co-hosted Mind the Game alongside his former teammate-turned-coach, JJ Redick, in its first season. As the series gears up for its second installment, James is set to be joined by two-time NBA MVP and Hall of Famer Steve Nash. The new season will premiere in April and will also be accessible on YouTube and various podcast platforms. 

“I love learning and talking about the game of basketball. We enjoyed the conversations so much in the first season,” James said in a statement. “I lost JJ as my co-host but gained a coach. Now, I get to do it with another one of the greatest basketball minds in Steve Nash, and we’re going to have a lot of fun breaking down the details that make this sport so great.”

Amazon’s expanding sports content portfolio

Amazon’s deal with James reflects its growing ambitions in the sports content space. With Mind the Game, the tech giant continues to bolster its audio and video offerings, leveraging high-profile sports personalities to drive engagement. Amazon’s Wondery will spearhead the series’ distribution, while also handling ad sales for both new and back-catalog content. James’ media company, Uninterrupted, will remain at the helm of production. 

“When I decided to step into a media role, I knew it had to be something different—something fresh, something that brings real basketball fans closer to the sport,” Nash said. “Mind The Game is my way of being a teacher of basketball, of breaking down the game in a way that makes fans see just how incredible this era of hoops really is.”

LeBron’s expanding business empire

LeBron James, the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, boasts a net worth of $1.2 billion. His investment portfolio includes stakes in Fenway Sports Group, Blaze Pizza, SpringHill Entertainment, and Liverpool FC. His ability to leverage equity deals, notably with Beats by Dre and Nike, has positioned him as a dominant force in the sports business. 

Beyond media ventures, James and Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry are exploring WNBA ownership opportunities, signaling their commitment to expanding basketball’s footprint. James was reportedly involved in the $7 billion bid for an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas, underscoring his deep financial influence. 

A breakout success in basketball media

The first season of Mind The Game which originally debuted in 2024 was a breakout hit, averaging 1.5 million views per episode and rapidly surpassing 500,000 YouTube subscribers. With Amazon’s vast distribution network, the show is poised for exponential growth, solidifying James’ legacy not just as a generational basketball talent but as a visionary entrepreneur shaping the future of sports media.