Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James has donated $2.5 million to the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian for a Muhammad Ali exhibit.
Alongside longtime business partner Maverick Carter and the LeBron James Family Foundation, the basketball heavyweight have contributed to the creation of the new showcase, which is called "Muhammad Ali: A Force For Change." The exhibit will honor the life of the boxing legend following his death in June.
James commented on the lasting impact Ali had on his life at this year's ESPYS Awards:
"Muhammad Ali is such a cornerstone of me as an athlete because of what he represented not only in the ring as a champion but more outside the ring — what he stood for, what he spoke for, his demeanor. I think of him every day. Without his passion and goals and morals, I don't know if I'd be sitting here today talking to you about it."
In a statement to USA Today about the most recent donation Lonnie Ali, the iconic boxer's wife, stated that her husband would be honored by the support.
"I am overwhelmed by the incredible generosity LeBron James has shown," she said. "This exhibit will enable children visiting the Smithsonian to learn more about Muhammad's work outside of the ring, particularly his humanitarian work and stance on social justice for all people."
The funds will help add historical context and memorabilia to the Ali exhibits.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is currently sold out through March of next year, with the institution exceeding their expected daily visitors (an estimated 7,500 people were expected each day, but some days have seen nearly 30,000 people trying to gain entrance).
If you really want to go to the museum at this point you have two options: Go to the museum website to try and get a 2017 pass, or line up outside the museum to try for a "day of" pass (which plenty of people have been doing as of late).
