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ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Tue Aug 5, 2008 11:03 pm
by ljp24
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3520860Okay, $40m no. 50? Lebron would have to be a dumbass not to consider.
A person close to James said Tuesday that the Cavaliers' superstar would strongly consider playing overseas if he was offered a salary of "around $50 million a year."
James' current contract expires after the 2009-10 season, and while several NBA teams are working to create salary cap space for his impending free agency, none could offer a contract beginning at even $20 million a year.
The Russian team CSKA Moscow and the Greek team Olympiacos, which recently gave Josh Childress a contract approaching $30 million over three years, have already contacted James, according to the person close to him. The person added, however, that no monetary or contractual discussions have taken place.
While several NBA players have left the league this summer for more lucrative contracts in Europe, no stars have done so -- or even considered it. Joel Litvin, the NBA's president of league and basketball operations, said the league is not concerned about this developing trend.
The source close to James said he would play in Europe only for a year or two before returning to the NBA. He said James would view it as an opportunity to popularize the game and himself overseas. He added that James would not consider himself to be playing in the "minor leagues."
"Not at all," the person said. "He believes those guys are pros also."
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Tue Aug 5, 2008 11:09 pm
by greenbeans
if he didnt "consider" hopping ship for 50mil per id question his sanity
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Tue Aug 5, 2008 11:14 pm
by TheOUTLAW
This didn't deserve a separate thread. Of course he'd consider it. Who wouldn't?
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Tue Aug 5, 2008 11:20 pm
by SA37
I'd love to see him come over to Europe just to see how a top-flight NBA player in his prime would do.
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Tue Aug 5, 2008 11:25 pm
by HTown_TMac
Thats alot of damn money
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Tue Aug 5, 2008 11:31 pm
by Jase
Did you guys read the truehoop.com piece about this, blasting him for currently representing America while talking about playing in another country?
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Tue Aug 5, 2008 11:51 pm
by BubbaTee
Maybe he'd "conveniently" leave until Garnett, Allen, and Pierce all retire.
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Wed Aug 6, 2008 12:00 am
by Pugsley_2491
maybe he'll conveniently stay overseas until the Nets move to brooklyn
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Wed Aug 6, 2008 12:04 am
by Dtown84
Yeah for $50 million per, he'd be insane not to at least consider it. I'm drawing a blank but wouldn't that dwarf every American athlete, I mean doesn't A-rod only make 30 million a year?
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Wed Aug 6, 2008 12:14 am
by crossroads
Anyone think that if Lebron did leave for Europe, the NBA would do something stupid to keep from losing more stars like scrapping the salary cap?
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Wed Aug 6, 2008 12:18 am
by Buckeye-NBAFan
Jase wrote:Did you guys read the truehoop.com piece about this, blasting him for currently representing America while talking about playing in another country?
So any of American who works outside the US shouldn't be considered a US citizen and allowed to represent our country?
Doesn't Chris Bosh work in another country? Why the hell is he on our Olympic team?! Kick him off until he forces a trade to the US!
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Wed Aug 6, 2008 12:20 am
by i-lion
Yes if he goes to Europe a lot of bad things might happen and the NBA might make stupid rule changes like no more salary cup, etc. Although it would be fun to see what he can do over there i can't imagine how his stats would look like. I don't think it would be a bad move if he went to Europe and played for a year or two and then return to the NBA.
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Wed Aug 6, 2008 12:22 am
by Benedict_Boozer
$50 MM a year? Yeah.
I'd seriously question whether the team offering that deal would actually follow through and pay it.
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Wed Aug 6, 2008 12:29 am
by Promezclan
Is that $50,000,000 gross like an NBA contract (more like 30 million net), or $50 million Euro style?
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Wed Aug 6, 2008 12:42 am
by Sting3r
whats to consider? Id take it in a heart beat. Its not like hes gonna get banned from the NBA. Do a year and rack up 50 mil tax free then come back to america, take a pay cut and join the Lakers and Kobe for the MLE.
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Wed Aug 6, 2008 12:47 am
by raleigh
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Wed Aug 6, 2008 12:53 am
by AgEnT50
Sting3r wrote:whats to consider? Id take it in a heart beat. Its not like hes gonna get banned from the NBA. Do a year and rack up 50 mil tax free then come back to america, take a pay cut and join Superman in Orlando for the MLE.
*Edited
But seriously, he would be insane to not seriously consider that. . .
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Wed Aug 6, 2008 12:55 am
by houstonboy01
Jase wrote:Did you guys read the truehoop.com piece about this, blasting him for currently representing America while talking about playing in another country?
I guess truehoops never follows international football then...
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Wed Aug 6, 2008 12:58 am
by houstonboy01
Buckeye-NBAFan wrote:Jase wrote:Did you guys read the truehoop.com piece about this, blasting him for currently representing America while talking about playing in another country?
So any of American who works outside the US shouldn't be considered a US citizen and allowed to represent our country?
Doesn't Chris Bosh work in another country? Why the hell is he on our Olympic team?! Kick him off until he forces a trade to the US!
not just that.... look at international football.... there are many leagues around the world and the best players never play in a league that is in their home country... though when it is time for a international game they play for their national team.
Re: ESPN: LeBron would consider European offer of $50m/year
Posted: Wed Aug 6, 2008 1:10 am
by GreenWithEnvy
whats the big deal? Kobe said hed go for 40. that just makes Kobe easier.
