LeBron says he will consider extension with Cavs

TheSportsPredictor · Dec 23, 2008

broadway joe said:

There are very few variables for LeBron to consider here, certainly not on the Cleveland side of the equation, which is why his non-commital may be telling. I see no reason to say that he seems particularly likely to stay in Cleveland, not when there are at least as many reasons for him to go as there are to stay.
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Very true.

Apart from the facts that:

* He grew up in Akron
* He went to high school in Akron
* He has built a large house in the area
* His mother lives in Akron
* His family and friends are all in this area
* His team is awesome
* The media doesn't hound him in Cleveland
* He has already attained international recognition
* He already makes more in endorsement money than any other NBA player

But besides that ...

outofplace · Dec 23, 2008

broadway joe said:

outofplace said:

broadway joe said:

The bottom line is Cleveland is a known quantity -- the contract, the quality of the team, all of it. If he knows everything the Cavs have to offer and he's still leaving open the possibility of leaving, it's not for negotiating or leverage purposes. It's because he's legitimately interested in going elsewhere. And if the Cavs haven't convinced him yet, it's hard to see how they're going to sweeten the pot. Even if the Cavs got far enough under the cap to afford another star, what do you think Bosh or Stoudamire are going to want to do, go play in Cleveland or convince LeBron to join them in New York? I'm not saying LeBron will definitely leave, but the people who say they don't see what he has to gain by going to NY aren't seeing the whole picture.
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I don't think he has nothing to gain by going to NY, but I do think some people have overestimated just how much he would gain given the level of fame he has already achieved very early in his career and without winning a championship while playing in Cleveland. The world keeps getting smaller as that happens, the importance of being in a major market declines.

Also, as I said, there is the possibility of companies that he already has endorsement deals with offering to give him more money if he accepts a deal in a major market. Keeping his options open is a good way to press those companies for more cash.

To me, the bottom line is James has more to gain from keeping his options open as long as possible.
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On one hand you say that the importance of being in a major market is overestimated, and then you say that the amount of his endorsement deals may very well increase if he plays in a major market. Seems kind of contradictory. And if he is trying to squeeze another buck out of companies, do you think he's going to fool them into paying him more based on the possibility of his going to NY and then stay in Cleveland? Isn't it more likely that they'll do a deal that pays him X if he plays in Cleveland and X+Y if he plays in NY, like his original Nike contract?

There are very few variables for LeBron to consider here, certainly not on the Cleveland side of the equation, which is why his non-commital may be telling. I see no reason to say that he seems particularly likely to stay in Cleveland, not when there are at least as many reasons for him to go as there are to stay.
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That probably does need some clarification. I think it would be foolish for any company to pay him more money just for moving into a larger market. James is going to have no problem drawing attention to himself or the products he endorses if he stays in Cleveland.

However, I have heard that at least one of the companies he has an endorsement deal has offered to pay him more money if he goes to a team in a larger market. It would be foolish for James to cut off that potential source of endorsement dollars.

The bottom line is he does have something to gain by waiting even if he has made up his mind.

TheSportsPredictor · Dec 23, 2008

outofplace said:

However, I have heard that at least one of the companies he has an endorsement deal has offered to pay him more money if he goes to a team in a larger market.
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A long-held rumor which isn't true. Ask Brian Windhorst, who has a humorous analysis of LeBron's comments here: http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2008/12/windhorst_beat_blog_all_things.html

outofplace · Dec 23, 2008

TheSportsPredictor said:

outofplace said:

However, I have heard that at least one of the companies he has an endorsement deal has offered to pay him more money if he goes to a team in a larger market.
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A long-held rumor which isn't true. Ask Brian Windhorst, who has a humorous analysis of LeBron's comments here: http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2008/12/windhorst_beat_blog_all_things.html
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More good stuff on this thread, TSP. Thanks.

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LeBron says he will consider extension with Cavs

TheSportsPredictor Well-Known Member

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LeBron says he will consider extension with Cavs

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