Lebron James to become part-owner of Red Sox parent company, per report

BOSTON — NBA superstar Lebron James has become a part-owner of Fenway Sports Group [FSG], the parent company of the Boston Red Sox, among others, according to Michael Silverman of The Boston Globe.

The report, published just after 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, said that joining James at the organization will be his longtime business partner Maverick Carter. The two will be the first Black partners in Fenway Sports Group’s history.

Source confirms @MikeSilvermanBB report: LeBron James is now a partner in Fenway Sports Group, making him a part-owner of the Boston Red Sox.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 16, 2021

James had been a part-owner of the Liverpool Football Club, another team owned by Fenway Sports Group, since acquiring a 2% stake in the franchise in 2011. His current stake in FSG has not been disclosed, per the Globe report.

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Fenway Sports Group also owns the New England Sports Network [NESN], Fenway Sports Management, FSG Real Estate and NASCAR’s Roush Fenway Racing, according to the group’s website.

Outside the hallowed home of baseball that is Fenway Park, the new part-owner evokes strong opinions.

“I kind of wonder if it’s going to bother him? Maybe next thing you know he’ll be playing for the Celtics,” said Mark Tervo a Red Sox fan.

Others were not so happy about James’ partial ownership.

“I’m not a huge fan of Lebron James, but I am a huge Red Sox fan. So welcome to the family Lebron, I guess is what I would say,” said Pat Crogan of Boston

While some can be forgiving, some can’t even stomach the thought.

“I’m not a James fan. I try to deal with LeBron James as little as possible. Big ego, great ballplayer but not my cup of tea,” said Rory Springman of Boston.

And personality aside, that longstanding Boston – L.A. rivalry doesn’t seem to be the obstacle it once was.

“The world has evolved so much that it probably isn’t that big of a deal anymore. Twenty years ago it would have been a big deal,” Crogan said .

LeBron James buys undisclosed number of shares of @FenwaySports Group - making him part-owner of @RedSox @LFC @NESN @RoushFenway Racing and more. @KingJames pic.twitter.com/jiHpcn3NYP
— Tom Leyden (@TomLeyden) March 16, 2021

John Henry, who has served as principal owner of the Red Sox since buying them from Yawkey Trust in December 2001, will remain the head of FSG, the Globe reported. Henry has also owned The Boston Globe since 2013.

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The report also noted that the RedBird Capital Partners, a private investment firm, invested $750 million into Fenway Sports Group, making them the group’s third-largest partner. The deal is pending approval from Major League Baseball.