LeBron James: Miami Heat Star Acquires Minority Stake in Liverpool

The Miami Heat's LeBron James has acquired a minority stake in the Liverpool Football Club...seriously.

Fenway Sports Group ("FSG") has struck a deal with the American basketball star. The terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, but it is expected that FSG will represent James' brand internationally in exchange for a percentage of any deals struck as a result of their efforts.

King James is already one of the highest-earning athletes on the planet, raking in approximately $45 million per year between his salary with the Heat and endorsements.

This deal represents a continuation of LeBron's unconventional approach to branding. For starters, he struck a deal with Nike before he was even a professional. He has his own sports marketing firm, LRMR Branding and Marketing. Finally, he announced his contentious decision to move from Cleveland to Miami during the 2010 offseason on live TV.

"The first time I stepped on an NBA (National Basketball Association) court I became a businessman," James, 26, told The Wall Street Journal. "This is a great opportunity for me."

In a statement Fenway said it would "aggressively explore global business opportunities for LRMR and LeBron James, future business, marketing, endorsement and philanthropic endeavors all over the globe."

From Liverpool's perspective, this deal likely represents FSG's desire to build a bigger fanbase in the United States. FSG, which also owns the Boston Red Sox, acquired Liverpool from American businessmen George Gillett and Tom Hicks in October 2010.