LeBron James’ Agent Claims Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Judge Aren’t “Famous”

Rich Paul claimed that his client LeBron James is more famous worldwide than Chiefs QB and 3x Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes.

LeBron James’ Agent Claims Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Judge Aren’t “Famous”

LeBron James and Patrick Mahomes (Image via IMAGO)

Patrick Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl champion, is the unofficial face of the NFL. He is a popular face in America, but does he have the same level of fame as LeBron James abroad? LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, gave his honest opinion on the difference between popularity and fame with a simple comparison during an exclusive interview with Max Kellerman.

From Paul’s point of view, athletes like Mahomes and MLB star Aaron Judge are popular only in America or in countries that play pro football and baseball. James, on the other hand, is a global star. Even though the NBA makes less cash than the NFL, it has a larger global audience than “America’s Favorite Pastime.”

Paul noted that Mahomes and Judge can fly commercial on overseas flights, a luxury that James does not have. The passengers will know the Lakers and NBA greats right away; masks and disguises will not work either.

James and, to an extent, Steph Curry fall into the “famous” category. Despite playing the same sport and boasting a decent social media following, James Harden doesn’t have the same level of fame as his peers.

[Being] recognizable and being famous are two different things… That’s not a knock to these guys.

Rich Paul declared

Kellerman introduced soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo into the conversation and asked if he’s more famous. Paul quickly replied, “Yes!!!”

Because we live in America, we think that America is all that matters… The world is huge… Fame is a global thing.

Paul quipped

Social media is always a good indicator to gauge an athlete’s popularity. As of February 2026, Ronaldo has the highest Instagram followers with more than 670 million, followed by Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi with 511 million+. The top ten consists largely of Americans, yet none of them are athletes. With 159 million+ users, James’ Instagram account is the 26th most popular.

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs receive positive news from an exciting draft prospect

The Chiefs did not have a good 2026 campaign. With just six wins all year, the Chiefs finished at the bottom of the AFC West. It was the first time since Mahomes took over as the starter that the Chiefs had failed to qualify for the playoffs. As a result, the Chiefs ended up with the 9th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

LeBron James' Agent Claims Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Judge Aren't "Famous"
Patrick Mahomes (Image via IMAGO)

Although the spotlight has always been on KC’s best players, Mahomes and Travis Kelce in the offense, the Chiefs need to strengthen their defense. Veteran defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is famous for creating a blitz-heavy group, and the Chiefs may look to capitalize on that philosophy by taking a defensive player early in the draft.

Keeping that in mind, several mock drafts have indicated that the Chiefs might select Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. The 6-foot-3, 275-pound player is a gifted athlete with a sharp mind, capable of being a nuisance for opposing offensive linemen.

Note taker, grudge holder, and block destructor with a compact frame and defensive tackle play strength. Bain is ill-tempered with his take-ons, hitting blockers with heavy hand strikes. He plays through tight ends and can anchor against tackles and double teams.

NFL.com‘s draft projector wrote about Bain Jr.

With the NFL Combine set to commence on March 1, Bain Jr. arrived in Indianapolis and reportedly met with the Chiefs representatives.

I felt like I had a real strong interview.

Bain Jr. told Chiefs insider Sam McDowell

Bain Jr. broke onto the national scene with a sensational 2025 season with the Hurricanes. He had 54 tackles, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and even an interception, en route to becoming the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

The Chiefs struggled to accumulate sacks last year, finishing outside of the top 10, at 11 with just 47 sacks all year. Bain Jr. can certainly make a good impact on that front. And he will get the chance to learn from All-Pro talents like Chris Jones and George Karlaftis and further develop his craft. Jones is approaching the twilight of his career, so it only makes sense for the Chiefs to secure his replacement now when Jones is still able to deliver decent numbers.

Also Read: