04/19/24
July 12, 2002
All-world high school basketball star LeBron James is being courted by Nike and Adidas, though he can't sign a contract yet with either company while he's an amateur. James is expected to earn $20 to $25 million from one of the shoe companies before he's even drafted by the NBA.
posted by rcade to basketball at 12:56 AM - 8 comments
Future Nike marketing division conversation... "The father is over 6 foot 5 and the grandfather played on his high school team" "That fetus sounds like a prospect!" "Perhaps we could etch our logo on the mom's belly, then get a title sponsorship for the delivery. 'Nike Presents The Birth of Antwon Jones' has a nice ring to it." "Sounds good, make sure you lock up future rights to the sperm too."
posted by owillis at 02:00 AM on July 12, 2002
At some point, Nike will be able to make its own star athletes in the lab.
posted by rcade at 08:09 AM on July 12, 2002
Don't know much (in fact, anything) about LeBron. But one possible scenario is this kid signs a huge shoe deal, he's worth 25 large before he ever plays a game. Then the first two years he rides the bench because his body and mind aren't ready for the rigors of the NBA yet, and then you know what the next thing that goes is? His hunger. What's his incentive, other than his pride and competitive drive, to better himself in the game? Surely not money, because he was handed all he could want already. I think at some point Nike is going to get burned giving money to a youngster because they are disincentivizing him to excel in the long-run. But I'm sure Nike considers that the cost of locking up the talent.
posted by vito90 at 08:25 AM on July 12, 2002
I don't know how likely that is to happen, though the career of Ryan Leaf is certainly a good example of what happens when you get rich and stop working (or caring) about the sport you play. Can you imagine what Chris Washburn would have done if paid $20 to $25 million before the NBA draft?
posted by rcade at 08:32 AM on July 12, 2002
Hate to parrot, but... Bryant, McGrady, Garnett, O'Neal. All of them got fat shoe contracts, blew chow as rookies and were productive not long after that. If you can get past the whole rookie year thing (advisable considering that they've proven it somewhat meaningless), it would be wise to get in early on James. Scouts and coaches can certainly make mistakes, but there aren't many people (including NBA players) to count among James' skeptics these days... Was having drinks last year with one college coach and another who might as well be, both of whom saw James at the camps heading into his junior year. They'd normally pooh-pooh a H.S. guy thinking of the NBA, but conceded that this guy would be wasting his time in college.
posted by jackhererra at 09:10 AM on July 12, 2002
The consensus is that James will be the first pick overall at next year's draft. Isn't there speculation that Denver traded McDyess partially to make the team suck even harder - and thereby increase its odds of winning that #1 pick at the 2003 draft? Some said he'd have been drafted #1 _this_ year, as a high school junior. And he's already made the cover of SLAM. So, on hype alone, this kid is probably worth Nike's investment. (Unless he gets injured. Actually, I'm sure the contract addresses that possibility, but hey, if James has a career-ender, at least he won't be broke.)
posted by waterbedk at 10:47 AM on July 12, 2002
I remember when Nike signed Tiger Woods to some huge long-term contract and many "pundits" said it was a terrible move... Nowadays, that deal looks almost cheap in comparison to the name that Woods has made for himself in the world of golf and beyond. Do I think this kid can live up to the hype? Don't know, but I'll be curious to see how he handles the pressure.
posted by grum@work at 05:29 PM on July 12, 2002
Here's an earlier discussion on James, whose prep school hype continues to amaze. His high school team fall 2002 schedule includes trips to Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and the Dean Dome in North Carolina. There ought to be a ferocious competition for the cellar next year in the NBA.