LeBron James behind game show

LeBron James is getting into the game show business.

James' SpringHill Productions is partnering with NBC to create a prime-time game show with payouts that could reach seven figures. The lead producer on the project is Andrew Glassman, who has developed shows "Average Joe" and "Three Wishes" for NBC. The game show doesn't have a formal name or air date yet.

At James' request, the show is doing its first casting in the Cleveland and Akron areas, looking for couples to compete in the show.

"It gives people here an opportunity to live out a dream, the things they only dreamed about, and that's to make more money than they ever thought they could make in their lives," James said Wednesday. "So it's a life-changing experience if they get an opportunity to be selected, and I thought starting here, with the people that I love here, means a lot to them. And me being a part of the game show is just all part of my team doing things that's outside the box but also that's fun for families and people that any ages can gravitate to."

SpringHill Productions, which is led by James' business partner Maverick Carter, currently is involved with "Survivor's Remorse" for Starz and "Becoming" on Disney XD. James and Carter also have been developing a movie script with Kevin Hart.

James is not working on the project day to day during the season. The project was launched last summer.

On Wednesday, Forbes estimated James' off-court earnings at $44 million, making him the highest-earning NBA player.

ESPN.com reporter Dave McMenamin contributed to this story.