LeBron James’ Lesser-Known Father Figure Who Went to Prison Fueled His $1.32B Empire With Major Sacrifice
via Imago
When you look at LeBron James, who do you see?
For many, he is one of the all-time basketball greats, a billionaire, a producer, and a business tycoon. A man regularly under the spotlight. But, what we don’t see is the team behind the curtain. Yeah, by now, you would’ve uttered Maverick Carter and Rich Paul’s names. These two childhood buddies have stood as a strong pillar of strength for Bron and have ultimately received the media limelight that they rightfully deserved. Yet, there’s another person who hasn’t got much attention yet and has also equally played a huge role in building the $1.38 billion empire.
We are talking about the superstar’s Chief of Staff, Randy Mims. The man, who is referred to as the “orchestrator”, makes sure everything around LeBron James is fine. Everything!
The duo’s bond goes a long way back, and they have been together since a young Bron’s high school stint. Mims got to know about James and stuck with him because of one person, Eddie Jackson.
It was during Bron’s high school period that Mims got introduced to Jackson at a barbershop. At that time, he was dating a woman called Gloria James. We all know who it is, the woman who gave birth to ‘King James’. Jackson, speaking to Mims, spoke highly of Bron.
Recalling the conversation, Mims said, “We were having a small talk one day, and he’s like, ‘What are you doing tonight? … I’m going to see LeBron play… He’s playing basketball at St. V. He’s one of the best players in the city. Actually, in the country.’ I’m like, ‘Really?’”
Randy Mims attended the game, and it was the start of something new. At that time, he was 25, a marketing drop-out, on the lookout for jobs. He kept attending Bron’s games and got closer to the superstar through Eddie Jackson. It’s the first instance of Jackson helping Bron build the empire.
USA Today via Reuters
Growing up under the guidance of a single parent, Bron might have felt the absence of a father figure. Even if he did, it was fulfilled later in his life. Following the entry of Eddie Jackson into his mother’s life, he slowly turned into a father figure of Bron.
However, it didn’t last long as Jackson fell in trouble during Bron’s senior year. He was convicted for mortgage and mail fraud and the court sentenced him to three years in prison. That was it. It ruptured the beautiful relationship that they had built for good! Reportedly, Jackson served his time, and no longer has any connection with the James family.
Around the same time, Mims had broken up with his live-in partner and was looking for a place to stay. Guess who came in as a guardian angel? Once again Mr. Jackson. This time, he solidified James’s future for good. Jackson approached Mims with a sacrificial offer. He offered his house to Randy. But under one condition.
In the words of Bron’s Chief of Staff, Jackson said, “I’m about to go away… you can just stay at my house. The only stipulation is Bron will come and stay there, hang out with his buddies from time to time. Just make sure you keep an eye over him.”
That was the start of something new. Randy Mims took the offer without any hesitation. He shared the house with Bron, taking the smaller space while Bron took the master bedroom. From roommates, Mims went on to become a close confidant and go-to guy for Bron. The point to be noted was that Jackson’s sacrifice laid the foundation for James’ unbreakable bond with Randy Mims.
While Bron made billions, he took care of the superstar from the background. Today, Randy Mims isn’t just a trusted confidant and Chief of Staff for LeBron—he’s a key figure behind the scenes of the $1.38 billion empire that stretches far beyond basketball. Though Jackson’s role in Bron’s life ended when he completed his sentence and moved on, his selfless decision remains a pivotal chapter in the story of LeBron James.
What do you make of this heartwarming story? Let us know in the comments.
