Kamala Harris Cuts $50,000 Check to LeBron James' Company for Campaign Event Production

LeBron James didn’t just throw his weight behind Kamala Harris last year—he also banked a cool $50,000 from her campaign. According to newly released records, the former vice president’s team paid the NBA superstar’s production company, Springhill Entertainment, for "campaign event production" on January 28.

James, who’s famous for his pointed criticism of Donald Trump, made his political stance crystal clear last fall. Just a week before the election, he urged his millions of followers to "vote Kamala Harris" by sharing a video that stirred up controversy for its use of out-of-context clips—definitely the kind of viral moment that gets tongues wagging and fact-checkers groaning.

James and his longtime business partner, Maverick Carter, founded Springhill Entertainment in 2020. Their company has become a major player in sports and entertainment, and it seems politics is now in the mix as well.

In his endorsement, James posted, "What are we even talking about here?? When I think about my kids and my family and how they will grow up, the choice is clear to me. VOTE KAMALA HARRIS!!!" alongside a dramatic video compilation featuring negative headlines about Trump, controversial remarks, and disturbing footage. Social media critics quickly pointed out that some of the clips were taken out of context, but James stood his ground, saying his support came down to women’s rights and the future he envisions for his kids.

James and Carter go way back—they met as teens playing basketball at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, and now, in addition to making moves in entertainment, they’re minority owners of the Boston Red Sox and England’s legendary Liverpool soccer club. That’s quite the leap from high school hoops to high-stakes politics, if you ask me.

LeBron has never shied away from taking political stands. He publicly congratulated Harris when Biden tapped her as his running mate in 2020, and he endorsed Hillary Clinton back in 2016, even campaigning with her in Ohio. He’s also notched more than a few famous spats with Trump—calling him a "bum" after the president rescinded an invite to Stephen Curry, and famously remarking, "Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!"

Trump, for his part, once said it "wasn’t easy" to make James "look smart." When Trump complained about losing interest in the NBA over players kneeling during the anthem, James coolly replied, "I really don’t think the basketball community are sad about losing his viewership."