Lebron $50 million a year in Europe

[tbakergobuck]

Source: LeBron would consider European offer of $50M a year or more

By Chris Broussard
ESPN The Magazine
(Archive)

Updated: August 6, 2008, 11:22 AM ET

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Jay-Z and the New Jersey Nets? Mike D'Antoni and the New York Knicks?

Heck, the Cleveland Cavaliers' strongest competition for LeBron James' long-term services could be the deep-pocketed new kid on the block -- Europe.

LeBron James

James
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 2010-2011 season, but he can opt out after the 2009-2010 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 $50 million a year seems outlandish, it is within the realm of possibility, considering the reported $250 million contract David Beckham received two years ago to join Major League Soccer, the $33 million Michael Jordan was paid by the Chicago Bulls for the 1997-98 season, the strength of the euro in comparison to the dollar, and the fact that European clubs are not bound by a salary cap.

SportsNation
Will a major American star leave the NBA for Europe within the next five years?
Yes
No
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.

"I don't want to say it's much ado about nothing, but we think it's overblown a bit," Litvin said. "It's not something we're losing sleep over. "

But losing a player of James' magnitude would be nothing short of a nightmare for the NBA.

"For the most part, the league considers the players to be fungible products," an official from the National Basketball Players Association said. "But LeBron is one of the three or four players the league would definitely hate to lose. If a team lost him or Kobe [Bryant] to Europe, it would lose its mind. It would be devastating."

But both Litvin and the NBPA official said they don't foresee anything -- even the loss of a superstar -- leading the NBA to eliminate the salary cap and thereby compete financially with the European teams.

"It would be disappointing to lose one of our star players, but I have no concern at all about the best players playing anywhere but in the NBA for a long time to come," Litvin said. "I'd be surprised if one of our top players chose to go to Europe but if it did happen, there are many players who would step up and fill the void."

The source close to James said LeBron 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."

The entire scenario falls in line with James' stated goals of becoming a billionaire and "global icon." But the representative from the players' association will have to see James in a European uniform before he believes it.

"First of all, we don't know that there's going to be a $50 million offer," the official said. "And secondly, he wouldn't be able to accomplish over there the things that he wants to do over here, which are to win NBA championships, MVP awards, etc."

But he could become filthy rich and a global icon.

Chris Broussard is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3520860

[ahfrederick]

Wow $50M? Craaaaazzzyyy! That's A LOT of money to play out of the US. But then again, I can't blame the guy. All the best for him. Cuz I know for a fact that I would want him on the Lakers if we could afford him. *shrugs*

[DJRider]

With the fall of the US dollar and the increase of the Euro we will see a lot of players going to Europe in the future. A lot of the Europeans are not even considering playing here in all the major sports because of the rise of the European economy.
I guess its a sign of the times. :irked:

[tbakergobuck]

Lebron wants to be a billionaire and a global icon so it's all about the $$$. It's crazy that some pro athletes make more money then a person that can save a life.

[88jr]

This funny...he leaves and several others leave...the NBA will be crapping their pants. Maybe it would bring back some of the old school players...the jump shooters, like the NBA was in the 60's!

[olddog]

Well, he would need that kind of money for Europe, a Coke is $4. Or is it $6?

[Lakers4ItAll]

Its sad this just shows that all the players are about these days is the $$$

[HaywireM520]

he wont go to europe. I see NY or some LA or west coast.

[Lakers4ItAll]

Lebron is going to the Knicks

[tbakergobuck]

Jay Z the Nets part owner and Lebron's friend is going to try and get him. I don't really care anymore because in a way it makes me sick how greedy some pro athletes are.

[Lakers4ItAll]

Everyone thinks just because Lebron and Jay Z are friends that means he will go there, I don't see it happening. I see his wanting to be in the spotlight and play at Madison Square Garden. If he wanted to stay in a small market he will stay in Ohio


Jay Z the Nets part owner and Lebron's friend is going to try and get him. I don't really care anymore because in a way it makes me sick how greedy some pro athletes are.

[tbakergobuck]

Who knows if Lebron was to win a Championship in Cleveland then maybe he might stay in Ohio. :fingers: The Cavs/Boston series last year could have gone either way so don't tell me the Cavs didn't have a chance.

[tbakergobuck]

Owner: Speculation that LeBron will leave Cleveland 'insult to the city'
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3609246

[tbakergobuck]

LeBron leaving Cleveland? 'It's not a foregone conclusion'
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=broussard_chris&page=LeBron-081125&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1

Lovefest For LeBron In New York City
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3725909&categoryId=2378529

[xStriderx]

Bye Bye Cleveland and hello New York! As long as Lebron is in Cleveland he'll never be able to win a championship. He needs to move to a team where they can afford to have to legit superstars and Cleveland just can't afford that.

Boston, New York and of course L.A

[88jr]

Bye Bye Cleveland and hello New York! As long as Lebron is in Cleveland he'll never be able to win a championship. He needs to move to a team where they can afford to have to legit superstars and Cleveland just can't afford that.

Boston, New York and of course L.A

I believe they are doing just fine. The team they have now has what, 14 games under their belt and they've won 11? They should only improve over the season. Next year I read that Cleveland will be able to pay LeBron more than any other team. And there would be no place to go that would give him a better shot at a championship right now than the Lakers.

[tbakergobuck]

I guess some people don't even read the articles. :rolleyes: The Cavs were in the Finals a few years ago and they took Boston to 7 games last year so it's not like there not close on winning or at least getting to the NBA Championship. It's early but as of week 4 the Cavs are # 3 in the ESPN power rankings. As Lebron has said he thinks the team that they have this year is the best they have ever had since they have a lot of depth. Mo Williams and Delonte West are playing great and Big Ben looks like he's healthy. I didn't realize that the Cavs get to offer Lebron more money then any other team but it's not like Lebron needs it. I know he likes New York but who knows his wife might want to stay in Cleveland. Hopefully Lebron wins a Championship in Cleveland this year or next so if he bolts at least we got something out of him. :lol:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/powerranking?season=2009&week=4

[xStriderx]

I know the Cavs were in the finals two years ago. All I'm saying for the past several years when the beginning of the season started people thought Detroit would win again sometime soon. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened, they have a great team but make it to the finals and or the semi finals every year just to fall short. What I'm saying is I think Cleveland is Detroit to a lot of people. They will cling to that one year of glory and say things like, "this year looks better" Again, there a good team but teams like Orlando, Cleveland, Portland which have great young players still haven't proven anything to me yet.

[tbakergobuck]

I'm glad Barkley said what he said in this article. Lebron needs to just tell reporters that he's with the Cav's now and won't comment on where he might go in two years. I'm surprised the Cavs haven't said anything to him.

Barkley chastises LeBron for furthering free-agency discussion
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3731824

[SteveMondragon]

Lebron won't leave. He wants to win a championship first before bailing out on the NBA. But if he continues to have 'close calls' with the Finals, then you never know.

[xStriderx]

Lebron won't leave. He wants to win a championship first before bailing out on the NBA. But if he continues to have 'close calls' with the Finals, then you never know.

Even if he wins a Championship he won't leave. Lebron has even said it himself that he wants to be the most recognized sports figure around the wold and he won't be able accomplish that if he moves to Europe. For him to do that and get on the international stage like MJ and Kobe he'd have to move to some where like New York. No money in the world can buy the amount of fame that Lebron wants to have.