'What If I Never Got That First Opportunity': LeBron James Announces New Partnership In Candid Post

LeBron James is the first active athlete to become a billionaire after playing in the NBA for over two decades. While James has always believed in giving back to his community that put him where he is, nearing the end of his career, he seems to have accelerated his efforts. 

James was awake before dawn at almost four in the morning of 5th September when he posted a cryptic post on X, but declared it was for an advertisement. Hence, it curtailed speculations and stopped fans from jumping to conclusions about his mental health. 

"Was up early thinking !! 23 years in the league... the ups, the downs, and everything we accomplished along the way. What if I never got that first opportunity to show what I could do?!?! #ad," the Lakers' superstar wrote on X. 

A few hours later, he announced that his family foundation is partnering with Indeed, the job-training company, to help train individuals for high-skill jobs. 

"There are too many talented individuals out there that aren’t getting the chance to show their GREATNESS, despite having the skills. Let's change that. @indeed @uninterrupted @LJFamFoundation are coming together to help spark real opportunity. #ad"

LeBron James began his philanthropic ventures just one year after entering the NBA. He founded the LeBron James Family Foundation to give back to his community. James even garnered support from his celebrity friends like Drake, who donated $1 million to his 'I Promise' school in 2022. 

For enhancing educational opportunities in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, particularly through the I PROMISE program, the LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award in October 2018 and the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in May 2017. 

Additionally, the organization has committed millions of dollars in services and programs for the Akron students and families it supports, and it has been the recipient of The Charlie Award every year since 2021.

Just last year, James faced criticism that he was not doing enough to give back to the community after students in his school were reportedly struggling in academics. The James Family Foundation responded to these criticisms in an official statement.

“When we started this work to wraparound students through education, we entered this partnership with the Akron Public School for the long haul,” the statement read.

“Because this work requires a long-term commitment, hard work, and a lot of love and care. And that’s what we bring every day because the I Promise School is more than a school. We’re here for the ups and downs, and will continue to wrap around our students and their entire families so they can be successful in school and in life, no matter the challenges and obstacles that come their way.”

Subsequently, James seems to have accelerated his philanthropic ventures. Usually, when an athlete retires, they take measures to ensure that their legacy lives on. While James will likely not need to do anything more to make his legacy immortal on the court, his off-court philanthropic ventures, like this partnership, will give him a legacy off the court that could live on for decades after his retirement.