Buffett is a witness
CLEVELAND (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 Buffet 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."