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Few names are as synonymous with New York City sports as Spike Lee.
A lifelong fan of the New York Knicks, Lee has been a courtside fixture at Madison Square Garden for decades, often becoming part of the spectacle during high-stakes playoff runs.
A look at Spike Lee's wealth and Knicks obsession
Lee's animated reactions and interactions with rival players have made him a beloved, and occasionally controversial, figure in NBA culture.
Most recently, he flew from the Cannes Film Festival to attend Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, skipping only one game due to international obligations.
But Lee's loyalty to the Knicks goes beyond mere fandom, it's been backed by some serious cash.
It's estimated that he's spent close to $10 million on tickets over the years.
Fortunately, the award-winning director has built a career that makes such extravagance possible.
With a net worth estimated at $60 million, Lee has turned storytelling into a lucrative and influential empire that extends across film, education, and real estate.
Spike Lee broke into the industry in the 1980s, making waves with his directorial debut She's Gotta Have It, which he shot on a shoestring budget and turned into a box office success.
From there, he delivered cultural landmarks like Do the Right Thing, Jungle Fever, and Malcolm X.
His work is known not just for its cinematic style, but for its bold engagement with social and political issues.
Over the years, Lee has been nominated for numerous Academy Awards, finally winning an Oscar in 2019 for Best Adapted Screenplay for BlacKkKlansman.
Beyond directing, Lee is a tenured professor at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and the founder of 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, which has produced over 35 films.
He's also directed commercials for major brands and signed a deal with Netflix to develop new projects.
Lee's wealth is reflected in his real estate holdings, including a historic Manhattan townhouse valued in the tens of millions, a Brooklyn production studio, and a Martha's Vineyard estate.
At 68, Lee shows no signs of slowing down, staying active both behind the camera and on the hardwood sidelines.
His enduring impact on film, and his courtside devotion to the Knicks, ensure that Spike Lee remains one of the most recognizable and successful figures in American pop culture.