Is the NBA in trouble?

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Is there some sort of rule that says he can't earn endorsement money while playing overseas?

Not at all, but do you think his american sponsors would still pay him the money if he was no longer in america?
I could be wrong, but I think they would drop him like Vick and Kobe got dropped after their "altercations". I feel his market value would drop considerably.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by jsarno

What we are failing to take into account is that LeBron wants to be the best...if he's over there, he won't be in the picture.
As that guy pointed out, Jordan made over 100 million a year, and his salary was something like 20 mil, meaning his endorsements is where the money was. I'd have to say that James is making far more than 50mil right now, so to lose those endorsements is not something he'd be interested in.
Besides, it doesn't appear big names will go, they are big names because of where they play. America is the place to be. Someone like Childress isn't talented enough to have serious endorsements, so he'll take the short term money. For him it was a good decision. The middle of the road guys would benefit from the move...the good players likely would not.

The article says that Lebron would play over there for 1 year or so in order to build some more name recognition and his brand. Lebron is a smart businessman, that's why he's not saying what he said he was going to now that he's in China. Lebron does what's best for him as a business man. He understands that alienating people doesn't sell Sneakers (he wouldn't sell em to me anyway, his shoes are beat) and it doesn't make you money.

Lebron has stated that his goal is to be a "billionaire," he would get tons of endorsement deals in Europe and Nike isn't stupid enough to drop him. Therefore, playing in Greece could only hurt his game, if anything, but definitely not his wallet.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by jdlea

The article says that Lebron would play over there for 1 year or so in order to build some more name recognition and his brand. Lebron is a smart businessman, that's why he's not saying what he said he was going to now that he's in China. Lebron does what's best for him as a business man. He understands that alienating people doesn't sell Sneakers (he wouldn't sell em to me anyway, his shoes are beat) and it doesn't make you money.

Lebron has stated that his goal is to be a "billionaire," he would get tons of endorsement deals in Europe and Nike isn't stupid enough to drop him. Therefore, playing in Greece could only hurt his game, if anything, but definitely not his wallet.

Very good points.
Time will tell I guess. No one has done this to this point, so we are in uncharted waters at this point. If they can make it extremely lucrative for him, maybe he will go...who knows.

Regardless, don't see it hurting the NBA unless it is a mass defection of top tier players.

Do you guys think he will be just as big, or bigger over there than here?

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

The one thing to remember is that these billionaires aren't just relying on the team to remake monies. They pump personal fortunes into these teams. $50 million a year isn't too far fetched. Whomever signs LeBron (if it happens of course) will have no trouble recouping part or all of the money they give him in a contract.

Exactly! Even if Olympiakos runs at a loss, he owns one of the largest IT firms in the world. He could stand to lose the money on Lebron just to have him over there.

[Daseal]

jsarno -- those American sponsors are typically global sponsors. Plus, even if he loses American sponsors he'll gain European ones.

[BDBohnzie]

I mearly point at David Beckham and give you a prime example of what LeBron can be on the International scene. Tiger Woods is another name well-renown Internationally. He's currently in Gillette ads with Thierry Henry and Roger Federer. The other 2 guys you may not know well, but they are extremely popular elsewhere and here. Endorsements come from all walks, including multi-national conglomerates...

There would be tremendous endorsement monies thrown at LeBron going overseas, and might be worth more than he's making now. Plus, don't think for a second brands like Nike, Gatorade and Coca-Cola are just going to drop him because he plays ball in Greece. LeBron may lose Akron TireWorld as an endorsement, but it'll be easily replaced by Athens TireWorld.

Plus, for a name like LeBron to go overseas to play, you know damn well The Ocho will start showing Euroleague highlights. Just because it hasn't happened, don't discount it.

[SmootSmack]

Good points by BD, JD, and Daseal.

Oh...and we're already all over Euroleague, both internationally and via broadband

[BDBohnzie]

I can imagine a bunch of Americans getting the LeBron Olympiakos jersey just because it's different. Their merch sales would go through the roof.

As far as the Cosmos and the NASL, they sold out Giants Stadium once, and while drew a good number of fans, having the best player in the world helped with that. There is no danger of the Euroleague shutting its doors because they are throwing money at high priced Americans.

As far as the original question, I don't see the NBA falling that far off. Guys like LeBron will look for the quick payoff, but will eventually make their way back to the NBA.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

I can imagine a bunch of Americans getting the LeBron Olympiakos jersey just because it's different. Their merch sales would go through the roof.

As far as the Cosmos and the NASL, they sold out Giants Stadium once, and while drew a good number of fans, having the best player in the world helped with that. There is no danger of the Euroleague shutting its doors because they are throwing money at high priced Americans.

As far as the original question, I don't see the NBA falling that far off. Guys like LeBron will look for the quick payoff, but will eventually make their way back to the NBA.

I guarantee I would get one. I've already thought about that.