LeBron needs New York? Why? To get himself an iconic commercial featuring, I don't know, four likenesses called The LeBrons? Been there, done that.
To have his own action figure? LeBron has one of those. LeBron is close to surpassing $200 million in endorsements from that backwater state of Ohio, and he's just 23 years old. If Tiger Woods needs a loan in a couple years, he's calling LeBron. And the area code will be 216.
LeBron doesn't need New York. Now then, New York needs LeBron. Totally. The Knicks suck, the Nets are irrelevant, and the basketball-loving media in that area simply will not tolerate it. Fine. But let's get this straight: LeBron James has done just fine by LeBron James in Cleveland, and if Danny Ferry would stop screwing it up, he can win NBA titles there. LeBron doesn't have to become a moth and chase the light of New York. He's a light bulb unto himself, capable of convincing Amare Stoudemire or Chris Paul or another superstar of that ilk to flit to Cleveland.
Yes, I get the whole Jay-Z thing. The rap mogul owns the Nets and, because superstars run in cliques, he has buddied up to LeBron to the point where they're super tight, like, OMG! And LeBron might well like to play for Jay-Z. That would be natural. But does LeBron want to leave what he has to play in a city that wouldn't cater to his every whim?
Look at it like this. The Cavaliers went to China last preseason because LeBron wanted to go. His marketing team -- they have those in Ohio -- has been eyeing the 2008 Olympics in Beijing as another step in the LeGlobalization of LeBron, and having the Cavs play there last fall was a boon not only for LeBron, but also for the NBA. It takes two teams to play an exhibition game, so the Cavs were joined in China by the Magic, but NBA commissioner David Stern could barely remember. This is what he said before the game:
"Having the Cavs there is very exciting," Stern said, "as well as the Magic."
New York? The Knicks wouldn't have gone to China just to please LeBron. If the Knicks or Nets actually did land LeBron, they'd immediately make it clear that he's simply part of the franchise. In Cleveland, LeBron is the franchise. Everyone understands. LeBron wields power in Cleveland he would never have in New York. What's more, LeBron loves northern Ohio. He's one of the biggest boosters at the University of Akron. He gives and gives and gives to kids in Akron and Cleveland. He's a legend there, and he's only 23. If he leaves for another city, he's not a legend. He's a mercenary. I just don't see it happening.
Besides, LeBron doesn't need New York. He's the crossover prince of sports culture -- an interesting Tiger, a safe Kobe -- which means he doesn't need to be in the monster city to draw monster attention. Last year his marketing people (they have those in Ohio) put together a summit in Akron with executives from some of the biggest companies in the country, powerhouses like Nike, Coca-Cola and Microsoft, and spent two days talking about the multinational growth of LeBron James.
At one point LeBron took the stage and mocked shock that such a high-falutin' group would come to his neck of the woods. He said, "Who would have thought we could get you guys to Akron, Ohio?"
This was no shock, and he knew it. Even if the financial and media world is centered in New York, LeBron James doesn't have to go there.
When you're LeBron James, the world comes to you.
