Breaking News: “I have to be thankful” – Rich Paul admits he built a $2 billion empire from the opportunity LeBron James provided…see more

Although they grew up in the same state, the two didn’t meet until 2002 at Akron–Canton Airport, where James was impressed by Paul’s Warren Moon throwback jersey.

That moment marked their first contact, and just ahead of the 2003 NBA Draft, when James was entering the league, Paul began to enter his inner circle and, with it, the basketball world. It’s something he remains deeply thankful for to this day.

“So I’m thankful for the opportunity that LeBron gave me,” Paul continued. “But the ultimate respect for the opportunity he gave me and for him is the position that I stand in now, because I am no longer dependent on him.

And that’s the most important thing you can do: become independent from the person who gave you the opportunity, because they didn’t have to give it to you.”