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Mar 26, 2007 7:01 am US/Pacific
LeBron Invites Buddy Buffett To Game
CLEVELAND (AP) ―
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"It was exciting that he came out, got out of his work clothes and put a "Witness" T-shirt on," LeBron James said.
AP
LeBron James invited a buddy who has even more money than he does to watch him play. Billions and billions more.
Philanthropist and businessman Warren Buffett, wearing a black T-shirt with "Witness" glittering on the front, sat courtside as a guest of James on Sunday night for the Cleveland Cavaliers' game against the Denver Nuggets.
Though an unlikely pair, Cleveland's All-Star forward and Buffett are friends and mutual admirers. They first met a few months ago over a lunch of cheeseburgers in Omaha, Neb.
"He wanted a few tips on basketball and I wanted a little advice on money," joked Buffett, estimated by Forbes Magazine to be worth $52 billion. "We switch. He tells me what socks to buy and I tell him what stocks to pick."
Before tip-off, Buffett said he was eager to see his first NBA game in many years.
"I like basketball. I used to play when I was young — not very well," said the 76-year-old Buffett, ranked by Forbes as the world's second-richest man behind Bill Gates. "Of course in Nebraska, they tend to identify with football."
Buffett said he has become a big fan of the 22-year-old James, who has built his own business portfolio. James signed a three-year, $60 million contract extension in July and already has endorsement deals worth an estimated $150 million.
"He's terrific," Buffett said. "I just want to be partners with him. He can probably buy the whole place."
Following Cleveland's 105-93 loss, James said he was happy to see Buffett.
"It was exciting that he came out, got out of his work clothes and put a "Witness" T-shirt on," James said.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
