LeBron James continues to expand his influence beyond basketball, adding yet another title to his already diverse resume—“Kenbassador.” Known for his success in the NBA, fashion, and entertainment, LeBron is now teaming up with Barbie to become the face of Mattel’s new Kenbassador series, which honors men who inspire change through leadership and heart.
This collaboration has led to the release of a special edition LeBron James doll, created in partnership with his foundation. When he unboxed the doll for the first time, LeBron was visibly thrilled, exclaiming, “Oh, he’s dope. Oh, that’s so cool. This is so dang old cool.” He admired the details, joked about the doll needing to “do a little lifting,” and pointed out his signature Beats headphones and signature look. The doll features unique personal touches that reflect LeBron’s identity—from the varsity jacket adorned with “LJ” and crown patches to the “Just a kid from Akron” slogan and “We Are Family” shirt that references his foundation.
Barbie is launching a LeBron James Doll, making the famous basketball player the first “Kenbassador” for the brand. pic.twitter.com/DlDTatuB4Z
— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) April 9, 2025
In addition to being taller than the standard Ken doll, the figure is accessorized with Nike Dunk Hi Retros, Beats headphones, a signature watch, an I Promise wristband to represent his school, stylish sunglasses, and a fanny pack—each item carefully chosen by LeBron himself.
But LeBron’s ambition doesn’t stop at toys. His entertainment company, SpringHill, is now challenging major media players like ESPN in the industry’s top awards. With the upcoming 46th Sports Emmy Awards, ESPN is leading the nominations with 63 across multiple categories. However, LeBron’s show The Shop, under SpringHill, is also in the running for Outstanding Hosted Edited Series. This pits LeBron’s team directly against ESPN and even Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay, another fan-favorite in the same category.
View this post on Instagram
This recognition highlights LeBron’s growing impact in storytelling and media. With The Shop vying for top honors and the Barbie collaboration gaining global attention, he’s proving that being a sports icon today means much more than just excelling on the court. LeBron is redefining the role—merging fashion, entertainment, business, and now even children’s toys into his ever-expanding empire.