Context:

LeBron James was appointed as the honorary co-chair for the 2025 Met Gala, which aims to celebrate 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style'. Despite his passion for fashion and involvement in planning and promoting the event, James will not attend due to a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee, sustained during the Lakers' first-round playoff loss to the Timberwolves. This injury has a 3-5 week recovery timeline, preventing his participation in the gala. However, his wife, Savannah James, will represent him at the event. Notably, James, with a net worth of $1.2 billion, is the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, underscoring his influence beyond basketball.

Dive Deeper:

• LeBron James was named the honorary co-chair for the 2025 Met Gala, a prestigious role that involves planning and promoting the event alongside notable co-chairs such as Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and Pharrell Williams.

• The Met Gala for 2025 is themed 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style', focusing on the elegance and influence of Black fashion, a theme that aligns with James' passion for fashion and cultural representation.

• James will not attend the gala due to a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee, an injury suffered in a collision during Game 5 of the Lakers' playoff series against the Timberwolves, which necessitates a 3-5 week recovery period.

• Despite his absence, James assured his fans through social media that his wife, Savannah, would attend the event in his place, continuing to hold a significant presence on his behalf.

• LeBron James has achieved a net worth of $1.2 billion, making history as the first active NBA player to reach billionaire status, highlighting his significant impact both on and off the basketball court.

• The Met Gala is always a draw for some of the biggest celebrities out there — and sometimes, even the biggest athletes. 

• For the 2025 event, Lakers star LeBron James, whose squad was recently eliminated by the Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs, had a unique role assigned to him. James has a known passion for fashion, something he's showing even more by contributing to the 2025 Met Gala.

• With the Lakers' season over, James' attendance for Monday's fashion event has also been in question, and he provided an update on it on Monday afternoon.

• 📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

• Here's what to know about James' role at the Met Gala this year and whether or not he'll be in person for the event.

• LeBron James Met Gala role, explained

  James was selected as the honorary co-chair for the 2025 Met Gala. There is no official job description for his role, but it's expected that he contributed in the planning, promotion, etc. for the event.

• Each year, a group of celebrities is selected to be co-chairs for the Met Gala alongside Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. The four co-chairs for 2025 are actor Colman Domingo, race car driver Lewis Hamilton, rapper A$AP Rocky and musician Pharrell Williams. James is the honorary co-chair alongside that group.

• The 2025 event's theme is "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style."

• MORE: What went wrong for the Lakers in the 2025 NBA Playoffs?

• Is LeBron James at the 2025 Met Gala?

  There was some speculation that because the Lakers' season ended in the first round, James would be able to attend the 2025 Met Gala. Instead, he'll be absent from the event, he said Monday. 

• ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported after Los Angeles' season-ending loss that James has a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee that happened when he collided with the Timberwolves' Donte DiVincenzo in Game 5 of the first round. The injury reportedly has a 3-5 week recovery timeline, and it's the reason James listed for skipping the Met Gala.

• James, however, did imply that his wife, Savannah, would be in attendance Monday. 

• "Unfortunately because of my knee injury I sustained at the end of the season I won’t be able to attend the Met Gala in NY tonight as so many people have been asking and congratulating me on," James wrote in a social media post. "Hate to miss an historical event! My beautiful powerful Queen will be there holding the castle down as she always has done."

• Unfortunately because of my knee injury I sustained at the end of the season I won’t be able to attend the Met Gala in NY tonight as so many people have been asking and congratulating me on! Hate to miss an historical event! My beautiful powerful Queen will be there holding the…

• — LeBron James (@KingJames) May 5, 2025 MORE: What LeBron James has said about retirement

• LeBron James net worth

  Forbes estimates that James has a net worth of $1.2 billion, making him the first active NBA player to ever become a billionaire.