*By Max Godnick* LeBron James is ready to add another title to his already gilded resume: Hollywood mogul. The three-time NBA champion and four-time MVP redrew the professional basketball landscape when he announced he will join the Los Angeles Lakers. The move allows him to work and live closer to his already impressive entertainment empire. His production company, SpringHill Entertainment, is based on the Warner Bros. lot, just a few miles up the 101 Freeway from his new primary office, the STAPLES Center. "The ease of him being in the heart of Hollywood is really setting up the next stage of what his professional career is going to be," said Sean O'Connell, the managing editor at Cinemablend, in an interview with Cheddar on Tuesday. James's slate of upcoming projects includes a remake of the 1990 comedy "House Party," multiple series and documentaries in the works at Netflix and HBO, and the long-rumored sequel to the Michael Jordan-Bugs Bunny collaboration, "Space Jam." He'll be physically much closer to their development, production, and marketing processes in Los Angeles than he was in Cleveland or Miami. The basketball star is still months away from suiting up as a Laker for the first time, but he's already drawing comparisons to some of the entertainment industry's biggest names. "I think he's primarily going to become a dominant producing force and maybe becomes like an Oprah-type person who launches his own channel, and it's loaded with content that speaks to his interests," said O'Connell. The current Hollywood landscape puts a premium on A-list talent with worldwide fan bases. The past few months have seen Winfrey ink a multi-year content partnership with Apple, while Barack and Michelle Obama signed a deal with Netflix. ESPN recently ranked James second on its [annual list](http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/WorldFame/espn-world-fame-100-2018#) of the most famous names in sports - only trailing international soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo. While he clearly doesn't need any help expanding the scope of his fame or influence, James's new home could allow his ambitions and portfolio to reach even higher heights. "LeBron is a household name and a household face before he even steps into the entertainment realm," said O'Connell. "He can become a true media mogul and make this transition." For the full segment, [click here.](https://cheddar.com/videos/lebron-james-brings-his-entertainment-empire-to-hollywood)

Share:
More In Sports
The Milwaukee Bucks' New Digs
Peter Feigin, President of the Milwaukee Bucks, joins Cheddar to discuss the new arena fans and players have to look forward to in 2018. The new building will cost around $524 million and most of that cost is going towards customizing the fan's experience.
Opening Bell: December 18, 2017
Bitcoin futures start trading on the CME, and Congressional Democrats call for a hearing on the Disney/Fox deal. Plus tax reform gets closer, weather could have an impact on holiday shopping, and the rise of ICOs.
Tackling the Sports Media Landscape
Football fans will now be able to stream their favorite games on their phones, after Verizon signed a multi-year deal with the NFL. Paul Kelly, Chief Revenue Officer of Whistle Sports joins Cheddar to discuss the ever-changing landscape for sports media.
The Making of Nickelodeon's "Paradise Run"
Season 3 of Nickelodeon's competition series "Paradise Run" kicks off in 2018. Host of the show, Daniella Monet, shares what to expect in the new season of this series.
"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" Box Office Forecasts Are In
The first box office forecasts for "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" are in and it's looking like the sequel is the hit Hollywood has been waiting for this year. Bauer Xcel Media's Kate Spies and FHM's Nick Dimengo join Cheddar to discuss the early reviews and more top entertainment headlines.
College Football Gears up for the Championship
It's official: the final four teams have been selected for the college football championship. Nick Dimengo, Senior Editor at FHM Magazine, joins Cheddar to discuss his picks for the Clemson vs. Alabama and Oklahoma, vs. Georgia games.
Colin Kaepernick's Big Year
Jennifer Cunningham, Senior Editor at Bossip.com, and Todd Johnson, Managing Editor at The Grio, discuss Colin Kaepernick winning Sports Illustrated's Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. Kaepernick was honored for fighting social injustice against African Americans, and his pledge to continue to fight, despite not having an NFL contract.
Helping Veterans Find a Career After Serving
When veterans return home from service, many struggle to find jobs and careers. That's why Quick Lane launched the "Trading One Uniform For Another," program to help veterans fund an automotive education and career.
Load More