LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul dropped major hint about his closeness with Adele back in May

They were spotted looking cosy as they sat courtside at game 5 of the NBA Finals in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday, amid claims they are dating. 

And LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul dropped a major hint at his closeness with Adele in a New Yorker profile written about him in May this year. 

During the interview Rich, 39, was joined by political consultant Adam Mendelsohn, who he was heard saying ‘she was over yesterday,’ to, referring to the singer, 33. 

New romance? LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul dropped a major hint at his closeness with Adele in a New Yorker profile written about him in May this year after the pair looked close at the NBA finals together on Saturday (pictured)

He then clarified the statement later during the chat, ‘dropping the name of a major pop star,’ reports Just Jared. 

Adam then asked Rich, ‘Doing what?’ in reference to her being at his house, with Rich replying: ‘Hanging out.’ 

Adam then said, ‘Why are you hanging out?’ to which Rich answered, ‘Why not?’

Rich then told the reporter: ‘I’m not dating, I’m single. Put that in the story.’   

Hint: During the interview Rich, 39, was joined by political consultant Adam Mendelsohn, who he was heard saying ‘she was over yesterday,’ to, referring to the singer, 33 (Rich and LeBron pictured in 2010) 

A representative for Adele has been contacted for a comment.  

It comes as the agent’s uncle has revealed that Rich came from very humble beginnings to achieve his success, much like Adele. 

The Cold Shoulder songstress and Rich both come from modest backgrounds, with Adele growing up above a furniture store with her single mother Penny in south London.

Meanwhile Rich lived in a one-bed apartment above a grocery shop run by his father Rich Sr and would start work at 6.30am serving shoppers in Cleveland, Ohio.

Both have now carved out successful careers, with Rich now worth an estimated $46 million (£33.4 million), having negotiated more than $1 billion in active deals for his high-profile clients during his career.    

Who is Adele’s new boyfriend Rich Paul?

The 411: Agent Rich Paul represents some of the NBA’s biggest stars and is dating Adele [pictured 2019]

Rich Paul is one of the NBA’s top sports agents, with basketball stars including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Ben Simmons and John Wall on his books.

The 39-year-old is worth an estimated $46 million (£33.4 million) and has negotiated more than $1 billion in active deals for his high-profile clients during his career.

In 2020, he made Forbes’ list of the world’s top 10 most powerful sports agents, hitting No. 9 on the list. He was classed No. 2 globally in basketball. He was also featured on the 2020 Ebony Power 100 List.

He is the founder of Klutch Sports, part of United Talent Agency (UTA), which leapt up 23 places on the list of the world’s most valuable sports agencies within a five year period, following Paul’s involvement. Paul now leads UTA’s sports division.

He was raised in Cleveland in a one-bedroom apartment above his father’s store, R & J Confectionery and went to a Roman Catholic high school.

His first foray into business saw him buying vintage sports jerseys from Atlanta, selling them out of his car n Cleveland, often making $10,000 per week.

He met LeBron James at the Akron–Canton Airport in 2002, selling him a jersey. They have been friends and now colleagues, ever since. 

Similarly, Adele – who currently live in LA – is one of the wealthiest singers in the world, with a net worth of £130million, now counting several A-list celebrities as friends. 

Rich’s uncle John Paul Jr, 77, has spoken of Rich’s strong work ethic growing up, telling The Sun: ‘We knew he was special – Little Richard was always at the grocery store with his dad, mingling with the customers.

‘From a very young age he learned how to deal with people and you could see this kid was going to be something.

‘He was entrepreneurial from a very early age. He liked to be his own boss.’

Success: In 2020, Rich made Forbes’ list of the world’s top 10 most powerful sports agents, hitting No. 9 on the list (pictured with Anthony Davis in 2019)

He grew up in a tough neighbourhood, but Rich’s father saved his money in order to send him to the Catholic Benedictine high school.   

Paul Jr added that this allowed his to ‘escape’ from the area that he grew up in and ‘blossom’.

He said: ‘There was a lot of drugs, robberies and murders and stuff like that. He was surrounded by it in his environment, but he didn’t fall prey to that. His dad made sure of it.’   

In 2020, Rich made Forbes’ list of the world’s top 10 most powerful sports agents, hitting No. 9 on the list, but his uncle says he ‘never forgot where he came from’ and that ‘money hasn’t changed him. 

After making his fortune, he bought his late mother a Mercedes and his sister a house. 

Rich met LeBron James in 2002 at an airport on the way to Atlanta, with the sportsman approaching him to chat about the vintage sports shirt he was wearing.  

Speaking in 2014, Rich said of the encounter: ‘It was fate. I could have missed the plane. I could have taken an earlier flight. I could have not worn the jersey.

‘I could have been having a bad day and not spoken to him.’ 

LeBron, 36, said: ‘We hit it off instantly. Every time I was doing something I’d call Rich and ask if he can make it.

Happy days: Adele – who currently live in LA – is one of the wealthiest singers in the world, with a net worth of £130million, now counting several A-list celebrities as friends

‘And he’d say, ‘I’ll be right there’, and he was.’

They worked together since the chance meeting and in 2012 Rich became LeBron’s agent.  

Rich is also the founder of Klutch Sports, part of United Talent Agency (UTA), which leapt up 23 places on the list of the world’s most valuable sports agencies within a five year period, following Paul’s involvement. Paul now leads UTA’s sports division.    

Adele was spotted looking cosy next to Rich as they sat courtside at game 5 of the NBA Finals in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday. 

Making a rare public appearance to watch the Phoenix Suns unsuccessfully take on the Milwaukee Bucks in a match watched by millions nationwide, the singer was pictured laughing with Rich, who leant into her.

ESPN announcer Brian Windhorst set tongues wagging over the relationship status of the pair, declaring on a late-night podcast following the game that they were an item. 

‘Rich Paul brings his girlfriend to the game to sit next to LeBron. His girlfriend is Adele,’ Windhorst said.

He went on: ‘Rich Paul is at the game with Adele. This is the first time that they’ve come out in public together!’

MailOnline has approached reps for comment. 

Adele’s rare outing came days after it was reported by MailOnline that the superstar had purchased a third home next to the other two properties she owns in Hidden Valley, a Beverly Hills suburb.  

The new house sits next door to both her current home and the house she purchased from her ex-husband, Simon Konecki, in 2019 and Adele purchased the residence from Nicole Richie and her musician husband, Joel Madden.

The four-bedroom, four-bathroom mansion, which comes equipped with a pool and basketball court, was sold for $9,950,000 on May 26.

Adele’s trio of properties look to have the potential to create a giant compound to which she can invite her very famous neighbours like Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem, Zoe Saldana, Jennifer Lawrence, and Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher. 

New crib: Adele’s outing came days after it was reported that the superstar had purchased a third home next to the other two properties she shares in Hidden Valley, a Beverly Hills suburb