James’s relationship with Liverpool started in 2011 and developed via his interactions with Fenway Sports Group (FSG).
After that, while he was a player for the Miami Heat, he partnered with FSG, who had recently acquired Liverpool from George Gillett and Tom Hicks, making the organization his primary marketing agency. As part of the agreement, FSG also obtained a minority ownership position in the Reds.
When the news was released, James declared, I am happy to be working with [FSG founders] John Henry and Tom Werner.
These men share my enthusiasm for athletics. Their passion and dedication to their teams is evident. This is about doing business with a company that shares my passion for sports, in my opinion.
James then went on to compare Liverpool’s global brand appeal to that of the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Yankees, and – perhaps most irritating for Reds fans – Manchester United. He also stated that he intended to assist Liverpool in developing even further.
In an interview with the Guardian, he stated, There is huge potential to continue that expansion anytime you have so much history and so much power behind their story.”
Liverpool is unquestionably one of those teams. They resemble the New York Yankees, the Dallas Cowboys, and Man U quite a bit.
No matter where you go in the globe, there are certain teams and emblems that you will always recognize and understand. Liverpool seems to be among that category.
James reportedly has a two percent share in Liverpool, and although it may not sound like much in the big picture, it is turning out to be a very wise investment for him.
The two percent stake he first purchased in the Anfield club in 2011 was valued at about $6.5 million (£4.9 million), but Liverpool’s increasing value has caused that amount to increase significantly.
According to reports from ESPN in 2018, James’ ownership stake in the team was valued $32 million (£24 million), and that figure increased in the ensuing years.
James has been a minority shareholder since the beginning of the company’s value growth, which may be attributed to Liverpool’s on-field consistency that led to Champions League success in 2019 and a Premier League title in 2020. In addition, the Reds won the FIFA Club World Cup, making them the world champions.
In May 2022, Forbes estimated Liverpool’s value to be $4.5 billion (£3.6 billion), placing them fourth in the world’s most valuable clubs behind Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United.
