LeBron James announces shock career move to join Tom Brady and Co as new owner of E1 Series racing team

LeBron James is taking his talents to the Red Sea.

James has agelong dominated the NBA stage, but now, the LA Lakers superstar is acceptable to stone the vessel among the likes of Tom Brady, Rafael Nadal and Didier Drogba.

The 40-year-old was unveiled arsenic the latest sporting icon to go a squad proprietor successful the UIM E1 World Championship connected Thursday.

James is launching a brand-new squad connected the E1 Series circuit - the world's archetypal and lone all-electric raceboat bid - announcing 'Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James' successful Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

And fans won't person to hold agelong to spot the hoops star's squad marque waves. Team AlUla joins the fleet this play erstwhile the 2025 E1 play kickstarts with the Jeddah GP connected Saturday.

James's E1 Series squad volition trial their talents, competing against the likes of Team Brady and Team Rafa successful high-energy racing - which tin champion beryllium described arsenic the eco-friendly Formula One of the raceboat world.

The innovative circuit pits the teams head-to-head successful immoderate of the world's astir iconic cities, including Doha, Monaco, and Miami successful a bid to beryllium crowned 'Champions of the Water.'

'As a lifelong instrumentality of sports and competition, the accidental to ain an E1 squad that represents specified a precocious level of innovation successful sports is incredibly exciting,' said James.

'E1 is simply a caller benignant of planetary contention that's revolutionizing h2o racing and I'm arrogant to beryllium astatine the forefront of its enlargement successful play two.'

Team AlUla - named aft the past oasis metropolis successful Saudi Arabia - volition beryllium fronted by its 2 talented pilots: Rusty Wyatt and Catie Munnings.

Wyatt, a Canadian powerboat racer, is heralded arsenic 1 of the sport's astir promising rising stars, having been crowned Rookie of the Year astatine the prestigious F1H20 UIM World Championship successful 2024.

Meanwhile, Munnings brings seasoned acquisition to the helm, having competed for Team Brazil during past year's inaugural season.

The Brit, who was the UK's archetypal ever pistillate Red Bull motorsports athlete, claimed 3 podium finishes connected the circuit's debut.

Meanwhile, James, the NBA's all-time starring points scorer, joins the Hall-of-Fame ranks of E1 Series owners.

NFL fable Brady and 22-time Grand Slam victor Nadal bought into E1 from the opening arsenic owners of their eponymous teams.

The likes of erstwhile Premier League victor Drogba and prima cricketer Virat Kohli person besides been onboard.

Meanwhile, the star-studded ownership is rounded retired with an illustrious roster of A-listers from the satellite of entertainment, including Hollywood histrion Will Smith, Grammy award-winning instrumentalist Marc Anthony and planetary DJ Steve Aoki.

'We are thrilled to invited LeBron James and Team AlUla to the UIM E1 World Championship,' Alejandro Agag, president and co-founder of E1, said.

'With LeBron's title pedigree and past of excellence successful globally celebrated sports, his introduction into E1 sets the signifier for an incredibly competitory and high-energy play connected the water.

'Having a roster of squad owners that includes immoderate of the biggest names successful sports and amusement elevates the Championship to an unparalleled level of prestige. This is not conscionable astir racing; it's astir a gathering of icons redefining what's imaginable successful h2o sports. With caller teams, innovative technology, and iconic contention destinations, the 2025 play represents an breathtaking improvement of E1.'

Team AlUla, which is led by Co-Team Principals John Marlow and Barny Whitwham, joins James's extended portfolio of concern ventures distant from the court.

The four-time NBA champion already owns stakes successful Fenway Sports Group, Beats by Dre, PGA Tour Enterprises and Liverpool FC.

But now, it's clip to spot if James and his latest endeavor volition descend oregon swim.