Wayne Rooney, the former Manchester United star, recently shared a remarkable story about meeting NBA icons LeBron James and Kobe Bryant during his honeymoon in Las Vegas. Rooney described how the unexpected encounter unfolded, highlighting the connection between the football legend and basketball superstars.
Rooney’s Early Connection with LeBron James at Nike Event
<pRooney first spoke about knowing LeBron James from years earlier, recalling their initial meeting at a significant Nike event. Attending as a young player, Rooney found himself among some of the biggest names in sports, including Michael Jordan and LeBron James, thanks to Nike co-founder Phil Knight’s retirement dinner.
“I remember years ago I went to Phil Knight’s retirement dinner and it was surreal. I think I was 19 and I went with Ian Rush because Ian Rush was the first football player to wear Nike boots. And I was the young one up and coming. And we got in and there was Michael Jordan, LeBron James, all the top athletes from Nike over the years. So I spoke to LeBron a little bit there. I think he was a year or two older than me.”
—Wayne Rooney, Former Manchester United Player
Unexpected Meeting with NBA Legends During Honeymoon Trip
While on honeymoon with his wife Coleen in Las Vegas, Rooney unexpectedly encountered LeBron James and Kobe Bryant again. The U.S. Olympic basketball team arrived at the same bar where Rooney was staying, and although security initially asked him to move away from their table, LeBron later recognized him and invited Rooney back over for a chat.
“Me and Coleen were in Las Vegas for our honeymoon. So then the U.S. Olympic basketball team came into this bar where we were, and it was all cornered off. Kobe Bryant was there, LeBron, all these massive superstars. And I went over because I’d seen LeBron when we were in Portland (for the retirement party).
“And because I’d spoken to a few times I went over to say hello, and the security went: ‘Please step away from the table sir.’ So I was like, ‘It’s OK’. So I went to the toilet and I came back and LeBron sees me and shouts me over. So we went over and chatted and I took pictures with a few of the players and pictures of me and Coleen in general throughout the night.”
—Wayne Rooney, Former Manchester United Player
Legacy of Rooney and the Ongoing Career of LeBron James
Wayne Rooney concluded his Manchester United career in 2017 before retiring in 2021, after spells with Everton, DC United, and Derby County. In contrast, LeBron James remains active in professional basketball, playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, a team he joined in 2018.
LeBron James’ Playful Rivalry with Manchester United and Ties to Liverpool
Earlier this year, LeBron James humorously criticized a reporter’s Manchester United jacket, showing his playful side regarding football fandom. Behind this jest lies an interesting dynamic, as LeBron holds a part-ownership stake in Liverpool, a club with historical rivalry ties to Rooney’s affiliations.
“That’s a horrible jacket by the way, oh my… Oh my god, that is a horrible jacket!”
—LeBron James, NBA Player and Part-owner of Liverpool FC
LeBron’s 2% stake in Liverpool was eventually converted into a 1% share in Fenway Sports Group, which owns Liverpool along with several other sports teams. This connection adds an additional layer to the interesting relationship between the basketball star and the football legend, intertwining their sporting worlds beyond their brief personal encounters.