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What is James Goldstein Net Worth?
James Goldstein Net Worth, a flamboyant Lakers super fan and real estate titan, isn’t your average millionaire. With a net worth exceeding $300 million, he built his fortune through California mobile home parks, proving big profits can come from unexpected places.
Beyond the boardroom, Goldstein’s passion for basketball shines in his outrageous courtside outfits and dedication to attending over 100 games a year, not missing an NBA Finals since the early 1990s.
His most prized possession, the architecturally stunning Sheats-Goldstein Residence, has become a pop culture icon featured in countless films and is estimated to be worth well over $100 million.
This iconic landmark will be donated to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art upon his passing, solidifying Goldstein’s legacy as a shrewd businessman, a passionate sports fan, and a custodian of architectural history.
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Early Life
James Goldstein, born in Milwaukee on January 5th, 1940, defies easy categorization. Raised by a conservative department store owner, Jimmy’s flamboyant style became his signature.
Perhaps influenced by his childhood in Racine, Wisconsin, a city boasting three Frank Lloyd Wright masterpieces, a love for bold design emerged. Basketball, however, was his first passion.
At 15, he was courtside for the Milwaukee Hawks, keeping stats and igniting a lifelong devotion to the sport. “My entire life has been devoted to professional basketball,” he once declared.
This passion extended beyond fandom, with high school basketball and even a rumored six-month fling with actress Jayne Mansfield during his UCLA days.
Though initially drawn to math and physics at Stanford, Goldstein ultimately earned an MBA at UCLA. This blend of analytical mind and flamboyant spirit would pave the way for his unexpected path to fortune in California mobile home parks, a testament to his unique approach.
Mobile Home Empire
James Goldstein, the flamboyant NBA superfan with a knack for the unorthodox, defies easy categorization. Raised by a conservative businessman, Jimmy’s rebellious streak manifested in his signature style.
Perhaps a reaction to his father’s buttoned-down world, it hinted at the unconventional path ahead. Basketball, however, was his first love.
At 15, he was courtside for the Milwaukee Hawks, igniting a lifelong devotion (“My entire life has been devoted to professional basketball”). This passion extended beyond fandom, with high school ball and even a rumored UCLA fling with actress Jayne Mansfield.
Academically, he pivoted from math and physics at Stanford to an MBA at UCLA, a blend of analytical prowess and flamboyant spirit that would fuel his real estate success.
Goldstein’s foray began with Rammco Investment Corporation, capitalizing on LA’s sprawl by acquiring land in Riverside and San Bernardino. Here, he discovered the lucrative world of mobile home parks.
This entrepreneurial spark led him to form his own company in the early 1980s, aggressively acquiring mobile home parks that remain his primary income source.
However, his management style has been controversial. Known for pushing rent increases in controlled areas and leveraging a loophole to subdivide properties and force buyouts, he’s faced legal battles, like the decade-long fight with Carson, California, that ultimately went against him in the state Supreme Court.
Despite the controversies, his business card – “Fashion. Architecture. Basketball” – offers a glimpse into the man. The love for flamboyant attire, a stark contrast to his father’s taste, hints at his rebellious spirit.
The architecture element might stem from his childhood exposure to Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpieces. And of course, basketball remains a lifelong passion, a constant presence courtside.
NBA Super Fan
James Goldstein isn’t your average NBA fan. Forget jerseys – this flamboyant superfan rocks custom-made “cowboy couture” by high-end designers like John Paul Gaultier and Roberto Cavalli, turning heads at over 100 games a year across the country.
His dedication is unmatched – spending over half a million annually on tickets and travel, holding courtside season tickets for both LA teams (Lakers and Clippers), and not missing an NBA Finals since the early 90s.
Here’s the surprising part: despite living in LA and having Lakers access, he isn’t a die-hard Lakers fan! But the NBA loves him. As the late commissioner David Stern said, “He’s America’s biggest fan investor, a true superfan with flair.
” Goldstein’s passion goes beyond cheering – his donation to the Basketball Hall of Fame led to the “James E. Goldstein SuperFan Gallery,” a tribute to the NBA’s most dedicated supporters.
So, next time you see a flamboyant figure stealing the show courtside, it’s probably Jimmy Goldstein, the ultimate NBA superfan, traveling in style to celebrate his lifelong love for the game.
Jimmy Goldstein’s Big Lebowski House
James Goldstein’s life isn’t confined to flamboyant courtside appearances. He’s also the custodian of a celebrated architectural landmark – the Sheats-Goldstein Residence in Hollywood Hills.
Designed by John Lautner, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright (whose influence Goldstein felt growing up near Wright’s Wisconsin masterpieces), this 1960s marvel isn’t just a house; it’s a testament to organic architecture.
Lautner’s philosophy? Design from the inside out, blurring the lines between the home and its surroundings. Imagine a house that embraces the landscape, not fights it – that’s the Sheats-Goldstein Residence.
Originally built for the Sheats family, the residence boasts five bedrooms, a seamless indoor-outdoor living area, and even windows designed for poolside supervision – a clever touch by Lautner.
Sadly, the Sheats eventually moved on, and the home fell into disrepair. Enter Goldstein in 1972, seeking a haven for his Afghan hound, Natasha. He purchased the property for a steal ($185,000 then, roughly $1.3 million today) and lovingly restored it.
Today, the Sheats-Goldstein Residence is a pop culture icon, having graced films like “Charlie’s Angels” and achieving cult status in “The Big Lebowski.” But its most permanent legacy is secured – upon Goldstein’s passing, it will be donated to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, ensuring this architectural masterpiece continues to inspire for generations to come.