Ohio fans have months, if not years, to wait before seeing LeBron James bring home another championship ring. In the meantime, the NBA player ‘s latest off-the-court venture is scoring some major points with Cleveland natives. James and producing partner Maverick Carter signed a deal with CNBC and Top Chef executives for a reality show, set on Cavalier home turf.
James has his cameos once in awhile, CNBC reports. But the key players of Cleveland Hustles are four aspiring individuals trying to make their dreams come alive. James acts as the mentor to entrepreneurs, helping them both in their careers and giving back to their communities—a butterfly effect of Akron natives and longtime friends James and Carter. The reality series coincides with CNBC’s outreach initiative and string of business-related series. In announcing the partnership on Thursday (Jan. 14), network executive Jim Ackerman said, “Cleveland Hustles speaks to the network’s entrepreneurial spirt and also creates an opportunity to help strengthen communities that have fallen on hard times.”
Having risen from the humble streets of Akron to the current leader in Eastern Conference all-star votes, James’ producing portfolio is filled with tales of ambition and hustle. SpringHill Entertainment contributed to Disney XD series Becoming, Starz comedy Survivor’s Remorse, Victor Cruz’s Showtime documentary I Am Giant, and NBC game show The Wall. Also on the production team roster is Magical Elves which already holds credits for Top Chef, Braxton Family Values, Project Runway, and Dance Your A** Off.
Lookout for Cleveland Hustles, premiering Summer 2016.