In his 23rd NBA season, at 41 years old, LeBron James continues to redefine the boundaries of athletic longevity and influence, earning a coveted spot on TIME’s “100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026” cover. The recognition arrives as James navigates another postseason run with the Los Angeles Lakers, having led them past the Houston Rockets before their elimination by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

James’s career is a tapestry of unprecedented achievements and records, extending far beyond the hardwood. He stands as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, the all-time leading playoff scorer, and holds the record for most first-team All-NBA selections. His 22 consecutive All-Star selections are a testament to his sustained excellence. During the current season, he also became the only player in history to score 40 or more points in a game in both his teens and his 40s. His impact on the game is so profound that he has played against 36% of all NBA players and faced 10 sets of fathers and sons in the league. This season also saw a historic moment as he and his son, Bronny James, became the first father-son duo to assist each other on baskets, with Bronny remaining under contract with the Lakers for at least another year.

Speaking to TIME, two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash praised James’s remarkable consistency and longevity. “He’s had the greatest career in NBA history,” Nash said. “You combine his peak and his longevity, and there’s nobody that comes close.”

Beyond the court: A business and social empire

James’s influence stretches into the realms of business and social advocacy. Early in his career, after his second NBA season, he co-founded LRMR with Rich Paul, Maverick Carter, and Randy Mims. Paul, now running Klutch Sports Group, represents a formidable roster of athletes including James, A’ja Wilson, Jalen Hurts, and Myles Garrett, totaling around 700 clients. In an interview with TIME, Paul credited James with fundamentally altering the landscape of player empowerment.

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James’s business acumen is evident in his strategic investments. He secured a lifetime deal with Nike in 2015 and famously negotiated an equity stake in Beats by Dre instead of a fee, reportedly netting around $30 million when Apple acquired the brand in 2014. In 2021, he and Maverick Carter expanded their ownership interest in Fenway Sports Group, which includes Liverpool FC, the Boston Red Sox, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. These ventures culminated in James becoming the first active NBA player to achieve billionaire status in 2022, according to Forbes.

His commitment to social justice and his hometown of Akron, Ohio, is equally impactful. From wearing #WeAreTrayvonMartin hoodies in 2012 and “I Can’t Breathe” shirts in 2014, to his powerful call to action at the 2016 ESPY Awards alongside Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade, James has consistently used his platform. In 2015, he and Maverick Carter launched Uninterrupted, a platform for athletes to share their stories, which later spawned The Shop. His production company, SpringHill Company, boasts credits including documentaries on Muhammad Ali and the Tulsa race massacre, as well as the Space Jam sequel.

In 2020, James founded More Than a Vote, a nonprofit that significantly boosted voter registration and turnout in key areas for the 2020 election, helping to sign up 20,000 new poll workers and opening 23 NBA arenas and practice facilities for voting. His LeBron James Family Foundation established the I Promise School in Akron, offering education for grades 3 through 8, college scholarships, affordable housing, job training and health care services. In April, the foundation further invested in the community by opening Buckets, a restaurant employing more than 70 local residents.

The enduring legacy

As University of Southern California professor Todd Boyd told TIME, James’s impact extends well beyond basketball. “I don’t think it’s a stretch at all to say LeBron is one of the most important athletes in American history, and one of the most important Americans of the 21st century.”

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Despite entering free agency, James made it clear to TIME that his motivation to continue playing remains strong.

“It’s up to the mind. Where the mind goes, the body will lay,” James said. “When I’m not in love with getting to the arenas on game days five hours before to start my preparation, if I’m out of love with getting to practice 2½ hours beforehand, then I know I’ll be done. Because then I’m going to start cheating the game.”

Sources: time.com

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