LeBron James is now a shareholder at Liverpool!

James has often been compared to NBA legend, Michael Jordan

Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), has inked a deal with LeBron James which will see the basketball star become a shareholder at Anfield. News of the deal was reported earlier today and has been making headlines for the obvious reasons.

The emergence of James, a two-time MVP and arguably one of the biggest names in basketball, as a shareholder in Liverpool certainly offers the Reds a new avenue for commercial revenue. While details of the deal are still sketchy at this point (James' equity in the club hasn't been disclosed nor has it been announced if the basketballer will be given a place on the board), it's clear that FSG believes its grasped onto a great opportunity to bring the Liverpool name to markets where basketball, and in turn James, is popular. One can already envision the commercial possibilities in selling Liverpool jerseys with James' name on the back of it.

At the same time, this deal also offers FSG a new revenue stream. By securing marketing and sponsorship opportunities for James, FSG may be able to raise funds that could be injected back into Liverpool during the summer transfer window. At a time when the club is in dire need of more talented and skilled footballers, today's developments should come as a positive sign that the Anfield side under John Henry and FSG may indeed be headed towards the top of English football once again.

It's also clear that James sees potential in Liverpool. If he hadn't, the Miami Heat star would have opted for a straight cash deal instead of equity, which may very well devalue if the Reds remain a Europa League side in seasons to come. Ironically enough, Liverpool's woes would be over if they could find a footballer who scores as often as James does.