Announced earlier this year, Lebron James’ innovative collaboration with Sony is finally closer to release. This alliance, which sees a custom-themed PlayStation 5 console, is the inaugural project of Sony’s latest initiative, PlayStation Playmaker, a program designed to foster partnerships with celebrated sports figures and celebrities.
As part of this partnership, the NBA legend gave Sony his creative insight to help with the design of a unique, limited-edition PS5 console faceplate and controller – the first fully-custom-themed PS5, by the way. This distinctive pairing marries the PlayStation brand with the exceptional career of the highest-scoring NBA player of all time.
LeBron’s relationship with PlayStation dates back to his pre-teen years. In fourth grade, he and his friends would bond over intense gaming sessions on their PlayStation 2, playing the samurai hack-and-slash Shinobi. The years have since seen King James evolve from an avid gamer into an NBA superstar, philanthropist, and committed community leader. However, he still finds solace in gaming, preferring to immerse himself in the virtual realms of his favorite title, Madden, on his days off.
MY GOODNESS!!!! This is major @PlayStation!! 👑🙏🏾 Nothing is Given. Everything is Earned. 💪🏾 #PlayStationPlaymakers #ad https://t.co/C4TNpoSj7r pic.twitter.com/dFN6AgRLSS
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 24, 2023
This current collaboration is a testament to LeBron’s enduring love for gaming while also echoing his journey as a globally recognized sports figure, an advocate for education, and a dedicated gamer. The collaboration’s outcome reflects his life philosophy of hard work, dedication, and belief in community service.
The limited-edition DualSense and the PS5 console cover, which LeBron co-designed, draw inspiration from the students at his “I Promise” school in Akron, Ohio. The vibrant fusion of fuscia, blue, yellow, white, and green on both accessories is a bold statement. Etched across the trackpad are the words “Nothing is Given, Everything is Earned.” This statement, as per the future first-ballot Hall of Famer, encapsulates his journey from Akron to his present-day success, emphasizing his belief in hard work and perseverance both in gaming and life.
LeBron’s unwavering commitment to excellence and dedication are further symbolized by the crowns peppered across the console and controller, a nod to his royal epithet. His journey from humble beginnings as a kid in Akron to becoming the first PlayStation collaborator as part of the PlayStation Playmaker is something he finds “super surreal” but never takes for granted.
LeBron hopes his love for gaming and competitive spirit resonate with his sons, Bronny and Bryce, both budding basketball stars themselves. The star, known for his competitive streak both on and off the court, playfully notes that his children would have to beat him “fair and square” in a game of Madden, ensuring the spirit of competition stays alive.
The NBA star took to Twitter to share his excitement over the collaboration, proudly showing off the limited-edition PS5 console and controller. He emphasized how monumental this partnership is for him, given his journey from a game-loving kid in Akron to collaborating with PlayStation, an entity he grew up admiring. LeBron also expressed his appreciation for the Sony team and revealed his plans to spend the day gaming on his custom console.
The exclusive LeBron James PS5 console cover and DualSense controller retail for $64.99 and $79.99, respectively. They are available for pre-order on Sony’s PlayStation Direct website and will start shipping out on July 27. Those who want to own these exclusive accessories should act quickly. After all, owning a piece of gaming history designed by the ‘King’ himself is an opportunity few would want to miss.
LeBron’s involvement in this creative endeavor reiterates his standing as more than a sports superstar. It showcases that he has diversified interests, laying the foundation for further collaborations within the gaming world.
Sony has since released other custom-themed PlayStation 5 bundles since, including one for Final Fantasy 16 and another for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. It remains unclear which sporting icon will get to collaborate with Sony next but Lebron James just set a high bar for whoever will get the honor.
