Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James may be venturing into the realm of establishing a new basketball league overseas, potentially rivaling the NBA. While the Lakers are gearing up for another championship run next season, whispers about an upstart league have been circulating in NBA circles, with James and his business partner Maverick Carter reportedly playing significant roles behind the scenes.

According to the Sports Business Journal, it is believed that James is financially backing this league, which aims to attract top basketball talent away from the NBA. This new venture is said to have connections to the Saudi Investment Fund, similar to the structure of LIV Golf. An NBA executive noted that there are concerns within the league about James and Carter's involvement, suggesting that the NBA views this initiative as direct competition.

Despite the implications of competing against his own league, insiders speculate that financial incentives could sway James's decisions. The prospect of receiving substantial financial backing—potentially in the hundreds of millions—might make such a venture appealing to him, even if it means going against the NBA.

James has expressed ambitions of owning an NBA team after his playing career concludes. However, with current NBA expansion plans stalling, he may turn to creating his own competitive league instead. Rumors suggest that this new league could commence as early as the 2026-27 season, although specific details remain scarce.

As James navigates these potential opportunities, the focus remains on his performance with the Lakers. Critics argue that his attention should be primarily on winning another championship, rather than pursuing a rival league that could enrich his financial portfolio.