LeBron James turns back on Yankees to own part of Boston Red Sox

LeBron James is a noted New York Yankees fan, but the basketball icon has reportedly turned his back on his beloved MLB franchise.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Noted New York Yankees fan LeBron James now owns a piece of rival baseball team the Boston Red Sox.

The Los Angeles Lakers star has become a partner with Fenway Sports Group — the Red Sox’s parent company — and owns an undisclosed amount of shares, the Boston Globe reported this week.

Watch Live coverage every week of the NBA Regular Season with ESPN on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

James previously held a minority stake in English Premier League club Liverpool, which is owned by Fenway Sports Group, since 2011.

The four-time NBA champion is also represented by Fenway Sports Management, a sports marketing firm that is a subsidiary of Fenway Sports Group.

James’ agent Rich Paul opened up on his star client’s move, saying it was a huge step in the fight for racial equality.

“It’s breaking down the barriers,” Paul told CNBC. “You’re talking about a game that was once limited.

“Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente — guys like that people didn’t even want to play the game. (Black people) had to have their own league to us now owning and representing in that business sector.

“It’s a testament to us continuing to evolve and not being complacent.”

Asked if James was serious about owning a professional sports franchise, Paul said: “Hell yeah. He’s extremely serious about sports ownership.

“I can’t wait for him to be on the other side as an (NBA) owner.”

However, Boston Globe sports columnist Dan Shaughnessy said James’ arrival at the Sox won’t be well received by their fans.

“If the Red Sox could do one thing to make their fans hate them more than they already do, they would have LeBron James take over as one of their owners,” he told The Doug Gottlieb Show.

“It’s not a good look for them.”

so Lebron is selling his home in Los Angeles, and is now becoming a part owner for the Red Sox??? Interesting

— Brandy Flores (@_brandyflores) March 16, 2021

Boston guys rejoicing over having another reason to be pissed off at Lebron when the Sox go 62-100

— luke (@lukeoneil47) March 16, 2021

LeBron is a Lakers player, Yankees owner and Cowboys fan

which should make him the most hated person on the planet

— Ari Levy (@levynews) March 16, 2021

MJ had to retire to play baseball. LeBron still active and owns a team. Who’s your goat now?

— David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) March 16, 2021

James’ longtime friend and business manager, Maverick Carter, is also a new partner of Fenway Sports Group, the Globe reported.

Fenway Sports Group owns the Red Sox, Liverpool, Roush Fenway Racing and the New England Sports Network, among other properties.

The news came as Fenway Sports Group approved an $AUD968 million private investment that — contingent on Major League Baseball’s approval — would make RedBird Capital Partners its third-largest partner, according to the report.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.

READ MORE: Simmons destroys NBA commentator

James, a native of Akron, Ohio, has long made it known he is a Yankees fan, which created some controversy when his hometown Cleveland Indians faced the Yankees in the post-season.

He also joined the Los Angeles Dodgers bandwagon last October on their way to the World Series.

“I’m a supporter of winners,” James said in 2016. “As a kid growing up, I needed inspiration to get out of the situation I was in. I loved the Bulls, Cowboys and loved the Yankees. Those are winning franchises. I liked them because they gave me hope of being a winner.”

James also owns an entertainment production company in Hollywood and has a movie debuting later this year, Space Jam: A New Legacy.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as LeBron James turns back on Yankees to own part of Boston Red Sox