The biggest reason many people assume LeBron James will leave the Cavs when his contract expires in 2010 is the assumption that the humble city of Cleveland can't possibly serve as the grand backdrop for James' stated plans to become a "global icon." Apparently, the theory goes, world dominance can only be accomplished in New York.Well, Dan Gilbert is doing his best to destroy that notion -- all while making a pretty decent profit. According to Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Gilbert is on the verge of selling a significant stake of the Cavs and Quicken Loans Arena to a group of Chinese investors, providing an influx of capital to a franchise apparently losing millions while trying to build a team around LeBron, and also providing a direct pipeline to Chinese sponsors and fans.
If the deal comes off, Chinese fans could start to feel a connection to James and it could expand his business interests by remaining with the Cavs past next season when his contract with the team expires.Cavs fans will likely want to read the entire article -- Windhorst goes into great depth introducing the main players in the proposed business deal, as well as explaining some other behind-the-scenes ownership drama -- but casual fans merely interested in the big picture should realize that this may end up being the trump card that levels the playing field for Cleveland's efforts to retain James.
In other words, there is great potential in being with a franchise that has a deep relationship to China -- likely even more so than just playing in the largest market in America. There has been intense speculation that James will be attracted to playing in New York because of the business opportunities.
"You have to think globally," James said recently of his business interests. "I have a lot of fans in China and they're important to me."
It's abundantly clear that dominating the Chinese market is a top priority for James and his sponsors, and despite their best efforts, he has a long way to go before accomplishing that goal, especially in regards to making up ground on Kobe Bryant.
But playing for a team with Chinese ownership? Well, that would make the Cavs the de facto "hometown team" for the world's largest continent. As much scratch as Gilbert stands to gain, even more could be at stake in terms of future endorsements for James -- and that's something not even a Manhattan mailing address could give him. Stay tuned. This deal, assuming it goes down, could be a game changer.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-24-2009 @ 8:49AM
buzzpttrsn said...
Chinese ownership might be a perk for LeBron, but to suggest Dan Gilbert has to do something else to keep him is nonsense. Has anyone learned anything about LeBron? He's a student of the game and the game's history. He plays for a class franchise that is put together from the top down to win a championship and happens to be his hometown team.The players whose legacies he is competing with (MJ, Magic, Bird etc.) all played for one team and he knows that. The Cavs can pay him more than any other team. Do you really think he would give all that up for New York ? If you are betting, would you bet that the Knicks/Nets are more likely to win multiple championships during LBJ's career than the Cavs? I don't think so. Business will never trump basketball and basketball considerations say he plays his entire career in Cleveland so long as Dan Gilbert does not get hit by a bus. He has already been through the process of making the Cavs credible, becoming a perennial playoff team and now competing for championships. How does repeating that process help him ? It doesn't and the process itself could take him past his prime. Don't forget, when he's 30 he will be 12 years into his career. These high-school to NBA players may not have any longer career than college to NBA - they'll just be younger when they're done. Win or lose a championship this season, Danny Ferry will be looking for the right trade/free-agent this summer. To facilitate that and remove distractions, LBJ will sign an extension. End of non-story.
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5-24-2009 @ 9:15AM
steve said...
doesn't it seem like these analysts will use literally ANY half-ass claim or theory to justify where lebron is going to sign in 2010 EXCEPT the actual man's own words.
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5-24-2009 @ 11:43AM
Sports Fan said...
I live in the NY area and I think he should stay in Ohio for the sake of the game. Why try to build a whole other team and break up the camaraderie that we've all come to enjoy for a few more bucks. Global communications bring him into everyone's house when he plays. I think he will become "less" if he changed teams.
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5-24-2009 @ 11:45AM
PG said...
LeBron will never catch up w/ Kobe global-fame-wise. Especially if he FORCES his endorsements onto them.
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5-24-2009 @ 1:16PM
skobexx24 said...
i don't get it how do they no if Lebron is staying with the Cavs if he said it with his own words then that's a different story
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5-25-2009 @ 7:15AM
jzz3skys said...
After reading the Brian Windhorst and Patrick Cassidy articles I think it's undeniable that this is one of the most business savvy athletes ever. Forget all the propoganda, I don't think this Cleveland team is going to get him anywhere unless they going and hire one of the other superstars whose contracts expire when his does. The question is whether anybody like that is going to want to come to Cleveland to play second fiddle to LeBron James.
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