LeBron James takes his talents to the Red Sea.
James has long dominated the NBA stage, but now, the LA Lakers superstar is ready to rock the boat among the likes of Tom Brady, Rafael Nadal and Didier Drogba.
The 40-year-old was introduced on Thursday as the latest sporting icon to become a team owner in the UIM E1 World Championship.
James is launching a new team on the E1 Series circuit, the world's first and only all-electric racing boat series, announcing 'Team AlUla championed by LeBron James' in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
And fans won't have to wait long to see the basketball star's team make a splash. Team AlUla joins the fleet this weekend as the 2025 E1 season kicks off with the Jeddah GP on Saturday.
James' E1 Series team will put their talents to the test, competing against teams like Team Brady and Team Rafa in high-energy races, which can best be described as the green Formula One of the boat racing world.
The innovative circuit pits teams against each other in some of the world's most iconic cities, including Doha, Monaco and Miami, in a bid to be crowned 'Water Champions'.
“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,” said James.
“E1 is a new type of global competition that is revolutionizing aquatic racing and I am proud to be at the forefront of its expansion in season two.”
Team AlUla, named after the ancient oasis city in Saudi Arabia, will be led by its two talented drivers: Rusty Wyatt and Catie Munnings.
Wyatt, a Canadian powerboat racer, is considered one of the sport's most promising rising stars, having been crowned Rookie of the Year at the prestigious UIM F1H20 World Championship in 2024.
Meanwhile, Munnings brings veteran experience to the helm, having competed for Team Brazil during last year's inaugural season.
The Brit, who was the first female Red Bull motorsport athlete in the UK, took three podiums on the circuit's debut.
Meanwhile, James, the NBA's all-time leading point scorer, joins the ranks of the Hall of Fame E1 Series owners.
NFL legend Brady and 22-time Grand Slam winner Nadal bought E1 early on as owners of their eponymous teams.
The likes of former Premier League winner Drogba and star cricketer Virat Kohli have also joined.
Meanwhile, the star-studded property is rounded out by an illustrious list of entertainment celebrities, including Hollywood actor Will Smith, Grammy Award-winning musician Marc Anthony and international DJ Steve Aoki.
“We are thrilled to welcome LeBron James and the AlUla team to the UIM E1 World Championship,” said Alejandro Agag, President and Co-Founder of E1.
“With LeBron’s championship pedigree and history of excellence in globally celebrated sports, his entry into E1 sets the stage for an incredibly competitive and high-energy season on the water.
'Having a roster of team owners that includes some of the biggest names in sport and entertainment elevates the Championship to an unparalleled level of prestige. It's not just about racing; This is a gathering of icons redefining what is possible in water sports. With new teams, innovative technology and iconic racing destinations, the 2025 season represents an exciting evolution of E1.”
The AlUla team, led by co-team managers John Marlow and Barny Whitwham, joins James' extensive off-the-court business portfolio.
The four-time NBA champion already owns stakes in Fenway Sports Group, Beats by Dre, PGA Tour Enterprises and Liverpool FC.
But now it's time to see if James and his latest effort will sink or swim.