Who needs New York?: LeBron highest paid NBA Player

DowJones · Post #1 » by **DowJones** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 5:48 am

LeBron leads all NBA players with $28 million in endorsements. The next closest NBA player is Kobe Bryant at $16 million. LeBron also checks in at #3 among all American athletes and 1st among all American athletes that play team sports. (2 golfers, Woods and Lefty, lead the pack). LeBron was able to do this while playing for Cleveland, not New York or L.A.

Another interesting point is that players like Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez only make $8 and $6 million dollars while playing for New York's most popular team.

So I think the question that needs to be asked is how much more could New York really do for a guy like LeBron? I have long said that LeBron goes beyond the city he plays for. He is big no matter what, and New York really won't help out a player like LeBron because he is already a global figure.

Post #2 » by **LLcoleJ** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 5:52 am

The NBA does a better job at marketing their players as opposed to the MLB.

Lebron would be in a position to make much more money in a bigger market based on pure economic principals.

BRINGTHEPAIN · Post #3 » by **BRINGTHEPAIN** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 5:52 am

His endoresments would increase dramatically in New York.

Cevap · Post #4 » by **Cevap** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 6:09 am

Phil_2.0 wrote:The NBA does a better job at marketing their players as opposed to the MLB.

Lebron would be in a position to make much more money in a bigger market based on pure economic principals.

How? His national exposure is already high since the cavs play the maximum amount of games allowable on national TV. His jersey sales would go up but he doesn't get any % of off it or any other NBA merchandise. Sure he would get more attractive offers for local commercials in NYC then Cleveland but he doesn't do them anyway. Since he would have to sign outright with the knicks since they have no pieces for S&T, he'll lose money on the basketball contract.

DowJones · Post #5 » by **DowJones** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 6:11 am

Can you please explain to me the "pure economic principles"? That would be great. And please be more elaborate than "City X has more people".

I don't think people grasp the idea that playing in a big city is not going to increase your marketability if you are LeBron James. It just won't. LeBron is already LeBron. It would help NBA ratings if he went to New York. It may even push the bottom line at Nike SLIGHTLY more into the black. But I don't think the extra bit of money will offset the millions of dollars he would have to give up per CBA rules. (remember that Cleveland can offer more money, by rule, than any other team in the NBA).

LeBron already makes $28 million. How much more do you guys think he would make if he were to go to New York? Look at all the other NBA stars and what they make in endorsements to get a better idea. LeBron is not going to make 3 times as much as the next closest star, if that is what you are trying to say.

Post #6 » by **DelaneyRudd** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 6:21 am

There are so many better personalities than LeBron who are still star level. I hope Wade rebounds his career cause he has more je ne sais quoi.

doozyj · Post #7 » by **doozyj** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 6:50 am

DowJones wrote:LeBron leads all NBA players with $28 million in endorsements. The next closest NBA player is Kobe Bryant at $16 million. LeBron also checks in at #3 among all American athletes and 1st among all American athletes that play team sports. (2 golfers, Woods and Lefty, lead the pack). LeBron was able to do this while playing for Cleveland, not New York or L.A.

Another interesting point is that players like Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez only make $8 and $6 million dollars while playing for New York's most popular team.

So I think the question that needs to be asked is how much more could New York really do for a guy like LeBron? I have long said that LeBron goes beyond the city he plays for. He is big no matter what, and New York really won't help out a player like LeBron because he is already a global figure.

Could you provide a source or link for the info you provided (Lebron's total income in endorsements)? Thanks.

DowJones · Post #8 » by **DowJones** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 6:55 am

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/w ... index.html

Post #9 » by **studcrackers** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 7:14 am

didnt lebron have a clause in his contract where his nike contract would go up so many more millions if he played in chicago LA or NYC?

Post #10 » by **dockingsched** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 7:15 am

the attraction of the new york knicks is entirely overrated. overrated ability to attract stars and overrated status as a "storied" franchise.

SunTzuMachiavelli · Post #11 » by **SunTzuMachiavelli** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 7:28 am

for the first time i'm questioning the attraction of NY too. If Lebron went there, how long would take for the media to start ripping on him for not carrying the team to a championship? He gets a small taste of that even in Cleveland and in NY it would be ten fold.

Pancho_Pantera · Post #12 » by **Pancho_Pantera** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 7:37 am

He wants to be the Warren Bufet of Basketball. But I don't think he will surpass Jordan. I have to assume Jordan is the richest player ever.

JigglyPuff · Post #13 » by **JigglyPuff** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 7:39 am

dcash4 wrote:the attraction of the new york knicks is entirely overrated. overrated ability to attract stars and overrated status as a "storied" franchise.

Overrated as a poster.

Buckeye-NBAFan · Post #14 » by **Buckeye-NBAFan** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 8:04 am

Pancho_Pantera wrote:He wants to be the Warren Bufet of Basketball. But I don't think he will surpass Jordan. I have to assume Jordan is the richest player ever.

Well Buffett has two crowns:
Arguably the greatest investor in history.
And richest (if Mittal hasn't past him) man in the world.

So if LeBron wants to strive to be the GOAT and the richest in history, that's not bad.

And Magic's richer than Jordan. He just didn't make his money through endorsements and salary only.

Michael Schumacher is supposed to be the first billionaire athlete (although some say he only has $800-$900M). And he gets a $25M salary for not driven for Ferrari nowadays. And Tiger will soon reach that billion plateau (2012?).

LeBron will be richer than Jordan, easy. Jordan just lost a 1/3rd of his wealth to his wife you know. Not to mention in increase in sports salaries and endorsements. At LeBron's age, Michael wasn't worth $5M. LeBron's probably approaching or past $100M already.

Post #15 » by **DelaneyRudd** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 8:26 am

I think there will be someone bigger than LeBron. He just isn't beloved. He just isn't going to be able to make the diversified investment that really creates wealth. He will never be not rich... and richness isn't the real competition anyways.

Dr Aki · Post #16 » by **Dr Aki** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 8:37 am

cleveland better milk the lebron cow for as much as they can now

if cleveland cant turn 29mil in expiring into a proper contending team, his eyes will begin to wander

a-rod · Post #17 » by **a-rod** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 1:17 pm

dcash4 wrote:the attraction of the new york knicks is entirely overrated. overrated ability to attract stars and overrated status as a "storied" franchise.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2007/Dec/07/struggling-knicks-still-most-valuable-franchise/

Post #18 » by **Flash3** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 1:57 pm

BRINGTHEPAIN wrote:His endoresments would increase dramatically in New York.

how?

His national exposure is already high. His endorsements are already at an all time high, as well. What else could he possibly garner in NY, he already hasn't?

DowJones · Post #19 » by **DowJones** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 2:01 pm

Flash3 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

how?

His national exposure is already high. His endorsements are already at an all time high, as well. What else could he possibly garner in NY, he already hasn't?

Not only that but it is against NBA rules. Do you think David Stern wants the shoe companies to subsidize specific franchises like that? No way.

MartyConlonOnTheRun · Post #20 » by **MartyConlonOnTheRun** » Wed Jun 4, 2008 2:37 pm

studcrackers wrote:didnt lebron have a clause in his contract where his nike contract would go up so many more millions if he played in chicago LA or NYC?

Dow Jones wrote:Not only that but it is against NBA rules. Do you think David Stern wants the shoe companies to subsidize specific franchises like that? No way.

I thought there was a report that said Lebron's contract with Nike would pay him a ridiculous amount if he went to NY? Something like $50 million. I could be wrong though. bad memory