LeBron James has become an Ivy Leaguer without ever applying. Or attending a class.

"Strategic Marketing in Creative Industries" is a course taught at Harvard Business School and this semester features a study of James and his brand.

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"When Harvard Business School approached us for a case study, it was a 'wow' moment,'' Maverick Carter, a business partner of James, told Shira Springer of the Boston Globe.

James and his people cooperated with the research for a class that also studies Lady Gaga, Maria Sharapova, Tom Cruise and the NFL. Professor Anita Elberse visited James' organization in Cleveland.

"LeBron understood the value he had at the time, in addition to his value potential,'' said student Kwame Owusu-Kesse. "That understanding led him to make a lot of risky decisions that were admirable in terms of breaking tradition.''