2010 NBA free agency LeBron James : Can LeBron become the first Billion dollar Athlete
Battling the World Cup, Double-dip recession and the oil spill for headlines, the wooing of basketball megastar LeBron James’ has officially taken over the world—and will probably save our planet too. The NBA’s two time reigning MVP is involved in a billion dollar drama of rumours, behind-doors meetings, and breaking news that will not only give the NBA a huge boost, but will bring in more revenues to the winning city.
Looking for a throne, James is interested in luxury. Big luxury.
On Thurday, he became the most celebrated free agent ever, sparking a multimillion dollar bidding win that began when the New Jersey Nets, newly led by Russian owner Mikhail Prokhorov and rapper Jay Z, made James an offer. Those were followed by the New York Knicks, who came with a series of presentations for the 25 year old superstar, as to why with them he’ll make more money with and have the best shot at a championship
In the coming days, it will be a flurry of proposals, as at least six teams try to convince James of creating their dynasty. There’s the hometown favourites, Cleveland, as well as the Bulls, the Nets, and the Heat to contend with. One of the pressing questions is with whom James would have the most chance of becoming a billionaire, a hitherto unprecedented objective for sports stars.
Offers look something like this.
The Nets will try to sell Brooklyn—not the bridge, or Jay Z’s newest album, but their next home, where the franchise will be playing starting next season.
The Knicks will entice with the bright lights and big city, and Madison Square Garden. Plus the fact that without a championship since 1973, LeBron James has a chance to become the face of the Knicks franchise for all time.
The Chicago Bulls offer a talented team and the opportunity to use a locker once held by Michael Jordan, the greatest player who’s ever lived.
The Miami Heat are selling South Beach, as well as the possibility of creating an unthinkably impressive trio in James, Wade, and Bosh.
The Los Angeles Clippers will open the doors to Hollywood, and the chance to make them champions.
And then of course there’s the Cavs, his team for the past seven seasons, who can touch on the fond memories of the past and hope James will continue to the add to the pool.
It’s not just money the 6-foot-8, 260 pound superstar wants. He’s after titles, of the shiny, legendary sort. Lots of them.
While he pushed the Cavs to their most successful stretch in team history, James has consistently come up short in his pursuit of a championship with the squad, and this may be single biggest factor why he’d decide against continuing with them. To go down into the history books, there are two paths: there’s the gold of Michael Jordan, or the silver of Allen Iverson, and James is undoubtedly looking for the former.
Cleveland was thrown out in the second round of the playoffs this season by the Celtics, who have won 17 titles. That’s 17 more than the Cavaliers.
James’ decision isn’t expected to be announced for another week. There are reasons to suspend and extend the drama. But the anxieties are hitting fans close to home. After all, Cleveland is where the star has taken up residence, and the city itself doesn’t have many sports stories to brag about. There was a Browns’ NFL Championship in 1964, but who remembers that anyway? Losing James might just be the tip of the iceberg for them.
“They'll be heartbroken here if he leaves, but we're used to it,” said Eric Riley, a Cleveland native and former NBA player, who stopped on a downtown sidewalk to watch the commotion surrounding the wooing of northeastern Ohio's most famous son.
Getting used to it is probably in some shadowy impossible: but all parents must know the day will come when their progeny will hit the ol’ dusty and stake out their own path in the world.
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