Anthony McClelland is a man who has been surrounded by rumors of being the father of the famous NBA superstar, LeBron James. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim, and James himself has never publicly acknowledged McClelland as his father.
McClelland was born in Ohio, where he grew up and spent most of his life. He was a high school basketball player, and he continued to play basketball in college. However, he did not pursue a career in basketball beyond college.
James has never talked about or even hinted at McClelland as his father, and McClelland also has never claimed to be the father of James.
In the years following his college basketball career, McClelland struggled with drug addiction and spent time in prison for drug-related offenses. He also had a number of run-ins with the law for other offenses, including theft and assault.
Anthony McClelland SOURCE: sideline sourcesDespite his troubled past, McClelland has maintained that he is not interested in seeking a relationship with LeBron James. In a 2006 interview, he stated that he was "not trying to be a part of LeBron's life" and that he was "happy doing what [he was] doing."
McClelland has also expressed frustration with the media attention that has come with the rumors of his connection to James. He has stated that he wants to be left alone and that he does not want to be associated with James or his fame.
While there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that McClelland is James' father, there are a number of factors that have fueled the rumors. One such factor is the physical resemblance between the two men, which has been noted by many people.
Another factor is the fact that McClelland has lived in the same area as James for much of his life. Some people have speculated that James' mother, Gloria, may have had a relationship with McClelland at some point.
Side by side comparison of LeBron and Anthony SOURCE: twitterDespite the rumors, James has always maintained that his biological father is not McClelland. In a 2009 interview with ESPN, he stated that he had "no idea" who his father was and that he was "at peace" with not knowing.
McClelland has also spoken out against the rumors, stating that he is not James' father and that he has no interest in being a part of his life. In a 2011 interview, he said that he was "tired of people coming up to [him] and saying [he's] LeBron's father."
There is limited information regarding his profession and earnings of Anthony, however, his rumored son, LeBron, has a huge net worth of $1 billion. James' career earnings total $435 million. He has earned this money through his NBA contracts, and most of his fortune is accumulated from brand endorsements and business ventures.
His first contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers was for four years and the contract was worth $19 million. After that, he signed a six-year, $110 million deal with the Cavaliers. In 2010, he signed a six-year, $110 million deal with the Miami Heat. In 2014, he returned to the Cavaliers and signed a two-year, $42 million deal. He then signed a four-year, $153 million deal with the Lakers in 2018.
LeBron James in an action against the Dallas Mavericks for a rebound in the first half at American Airlines Center in Dallas. SOURCE: PinterestJames' salary for the 2022-2023 NBA season is $41.2 million. This makes him the highest-paid player in the league. James has consistently been one of the highest-paid players in the NBA throughout his career.
In 2020, James signed a two-year contract extension with the Lakers worth $85 million. This brings his total career contract earnings to $520 million.
James' net worth has increased significantly over the years. In 2010, his net worth was estimated to be around $48 million. By 2022, it had increased to $930 million, and it continued to rise until he marked his place in the list of billionaire athletes in June 2022.
According to Forbes, his net worth has surpassed the $1 billion mark, making him one of the richest athletes in history.
James has a long list of brand endorsements, including some of the biggest companies in the world. He has partnered with Nike for over 18 years, and his lifetime deal with the company is reportedly worth over $1 billion.
LeBron James holds his new Nike shoe with Nike President and CEO Mark Parker during an appearance as part of the 2007 NBA China Games at Pong Le Fang in Shanghai, 2007 SOURCE: PinterestHe also has endorsement deals with companies like Beats by Dre, Coca-Cola, Kia, and Blaze Pizza. His total annual earnings from endorsements are estimated to be around $100 million.
James is also a successful investor and has stakes in several companies. One of his most successful investments was in Blaze Pizza, a fast-casual pizza chain, which he became a franchisee in 2012.
LeBron wearing his golden edition Beats by Dre headphone SOURCE: gqThe company has since grown rapidly, and James' investment is now worth an estimated $50 million. He also invested in Beats by Dre, which was sold to Apple for $3 billion, and is an investor in other startups like Uninterrupted and Ladder.
James owns several properties, including a mansion in Brentwood, Los Angeles, which he purchased for $23 million in 2017. The property includes a home theater, a wine cellar, a gym, and a spa.
He also owns a waterfront mansion in Miami, which he purchased for $13.95 million in 2010. This property features a main house with eight bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a home theater, a gym, a sauna, and a wine cellar. It also includes a two-bedroom guest house, a pool, and a tennis court.
Lebron's $36 million Beverly Hills Mansion SOURCE: BackGrid He owns another $36.75 million estate in Beverly Hills, California. This property was previously owned by soap opera creator Lee Phillip Bell and her late husband, William J. Bell. The estate includes a main house with eight bedrooms, a guesthouse, a pool, and a tennis court.
James is the founder of SpringHill Entertainment, a production company that he founded in 2013. The company has produced several successful films and TV shows, including the hit comedy series "Survivor's Remorse" and the critically acclaimed movie "Space Jam: A New Legacy." SpringHill Entertainment is valued at over $100 million.
LeBron James has a collection of luxury cars worth millions of dollars. Some of the vehicles in his collection include a Ferrari 458 Spider, a Lamborghini Aventador Roadster, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, and a Maybach 57S.
LeBron James poses with a brand new Kia K900 luxury sedan, 2014 SOURCE: Kia He is also the spokesperson of the Kia K900 luxury sedan after he signed a deal with Kia in 2014. His car collection is estimated to be worth around $20 million.
The relationship between Anthony McClelland and Gloria James, LeBron James' mother, has been a topic of interest for many people over the years. Anthony McClelland was Gloria James' boyfriend for several years. The two of them had a turbulent relationship, which ultimately ended in tragedy.
McClelland was known to be a drug dealer, and his relationship with Gloria was tumultuous, with frequent arguments and domestic violence incidents. And, McClelland left before LeBron was born even after knowing Gloria was pregnant.
Lebron James and his mother Gloria arrive on the red carpet for the Destination Finals Playoff Viewing Party at the NBA Store in New York, 2004 SOURCE: Twitter@NBAShe had difficulties in raising James alone and in an interview, she also mentioned that they had to keep moving from apartment to apartment because she didn't have a stable job. Despite the difficulties of single-parenting, Gloria single-handedly shaped LeBron into the man he is today.
