LeBron James, the legendary NBA superstar, has ventured beyond the basketball court to make a significant impact in another high-stakes sporting arena: the E1 World Championship. James has partnered with AlUla, a historic oasis city in North-West Saudi Arabia, to form Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James, competing in the world's first all-electric powerboat racing series governed by the UIM.
This innovative collaboration brings together James's star power and AlUla's rich heritage, combining sporting excellence with sustainable mobility. The E1 World Championship features high-energy races in all-electric vehicles known as RaceBirds, with events held in cities such as Jeddah, Monaco, and Miami. James joins other global sports icons like Rafael Nadal, Tom Brady, and Virat Kohli as owners in this prestigious series.
Team AlUla is driven by talented pilots, including Catie Munnings, a multi-faceted Red Bull athlete with achievements in rally and Extreme E, and Rusty Wyatt, a Canadian powerboat racer who has made a significant impact in the F1H2O UIM World Championship. Munnings has secured multiple podium places in the UIM E1 World Championship, while Wyatt has won rookie of the year awards and multiple titles in the American Powerboat Championship.
James's involvement in Team AlUla reflects his broader commitment to innovation and sustainability. As he stated, "As a lifelong fan of sports and competition, the opportunity to own an E1 team that represents such a high level of innovation in sports is incredibly exciting. E1 is a new type of global competition that’s revolutionizing water racing and I’m proud to be at the forefront of its expansion in season two."
On the basketball front, James continues to dominate the court despite his advanced age. Currently with the Los Angeles Lakers, James is expected to decline his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season to sign a new contract, a strategy he has employed in the past to give both himself and the Lakers flexibility with their cap numbers. This move is part of his ongoing commitment to helping the Lakers target impactful talents to enhance their championship odds[1].
After recovering from a groin strain that kept him out for seven games, James has returned to the court, averaging 17.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game in his last five outings. Despite some shooting struggles, James remains a pivotal figure in the Lakers' push for playoff positioning[3].
As James navigates the final stages of his illustrious NBA career, his foray into the E1 World Championship underscores his enduring passion for competition and innovation, both on and off the court.