Read the debate intro and Bleacher Fan’s argument that LeBron James would be better off if he left Cleveland for a bigger market.
It probably seems like this debate has been done, or even OVERdone. But, there are some essential truths that the mainstream media undervalues about LeBron James. For all of the talent, for all of the will to win, the business ambition, the Yankees hats, the international travel, AND the high profile New York friends… global icon and international basketball sensation, LeBron James, is misunderstood.
There’s a reason LeBron does not have the reputation as a “player,” a reason he does have his kids sitting courtside at home games, a reason he accepts his NBA MVP trophy at his high school (about a five minute drive from his multi-million dollar mansion – with traffic), a reason he holds an annual bike-athon in his hometown Akron, Ohio for charity, and a reason he leaves a bouquet of flowers on his mom’s courtside seat every Mother’s Day. The reason? He’s just a Midwestern family guy… plus all that basketball stuff, too.
I can hear Bleacher Fan exclaim as he’s reading this, “Sports Geek, you bleeding heart softie!!!” Okay then, let’s talk business.
There is little doubt that LeBron James will be a success in business, even by his own lofty standards of being the richest athlete ever. It is funny when really studying the Top 50 Richest Athletes list – where LeBron sits third – if only he could swing the crooked stick. And, ironically, his salary is the smallest percentage of his income, as he pockets a cool $28M in endorsements. Not bad for a guy without a ring from dinky old Akron.
Here’s something else our mainstream friends do not realize. Though he plays in Cleveland, he’s from Akron, which in Greek means “highest point.” Is there a better defined city for LeBron to represent as the richest athlete ever?
For our less literary inclined readers… LeBron James can become the richest athlete ever. He’ll make more money than once super-wealthy athlete and Formula One driver Michael Schumacher. For a better comparison, he’ll make more money than Michael Jordan. But, he doesn’t have to leave the homegrown comfort of Northeast Ohio to do it. In fact, it’s the ability to reach his goals – without leaving the Cleveland market – that will ultimately separate him from all of the other wealthy athletes throughout history.
Every rich athlete has gobs and gobs of money. But, they adapted their circumstances to fit their ambition. Schumacher traveled the world and signed the largest contracts with the sexiest racing teams and best sponsors in the most popular form of racing on the planet. Jordan had tremendous skill out of the gates in his professional career, but he also benefited from the Chicago media market to help augment his fame and fortune – despite those years playing baseball. LeBron has the skill but not the market. The difference is that he does not need the market.
LeBron is on track to realize his ambition without adapting his circumstances. He’ll continue to maximize the value of every contract, too – which is exactly why he should sign the extension Cleveland offered to him on July 18. The Cavs have shown a willingness to pay the luxury tax for the right player (yes, LeBron fits that bill). The Cavs can offer him max money now – a year before the salary cap is expected to begin coming down, meaning the sooner LeBron signs, the more money he’ll squeeze into his contract. Plus, the players that LeBron is counting on being surrounded with (and his general manager Danny Ferry has shown the ability to get) are going to come to Cleveland – see Shaquille O’Neal. For example, Shaq said he would never sign with a team in a cold weather climate. LeBron’s presence made that happen. LeBron is attracting big time superstar talent to Cleveland. LeBron is the one player, maybe in the league’s history, that is able to take a smaller market and bring superstars to him. Superstars, and fame and fortune.
LeBron will not leave Cleveland because he does not have to. Good athletes always want a challenge, and LeBron is no different. For him, becoming the world’s richest athlete in a smaller market is just the kind of challenge LeBron loves – and can conquer. It is also the kind of challenge that will separate him from every other athlete in history.
