Ok, I honestly don't know/remember the numbers that have been tossed out there, but I was thinking earlier today... what happens if China + Nike offers Lebron James a huge, huge offer? Everyone talks about Europe, but could China offer a competitive offer as well? Anyone watching the Olympics knows that NBA stars are being treated like rock stars over there. Everyone there wants to be Kobe or LBJ. If one of China's teams signs LBJ, the whole country will go absolutely crazy. 1.3 Billion crazy. Second, there's Nike. China is a huge business for them. Now imagine the marketing they could do, with an actual NBA star playing in their country. I'm not sure if it's true, but you know how people say LBJ gets an extra kicker in his contract with Nike if he plays in New York? Imagine the type of HUGE kicker Nike would give to Lebron if he played in China! I'm not sure if the CBA allows this, but the great thing about this is that Nike could possibly offer him more money than China would for playing there. I'm not sure if this is a ridiculous number (or not ridiculous enough) but what happens if the combined mights of China and Nike are able to offer Lebron a whopping 100 million a year? Even for just one year? You want to be a global icon Mr. James? Why don't you start by playing for the world's largest, and most basketball obsessed country? You want to make tons of money doing it? Why, Nike would absolutely jump at the opportunity to market you in one of their biggest (if not biggest) markets. What do you guys think? Possible? Ludicrous?
What strikes me is the assumption that Nike would get involved, and thus concentrate its resources on a particular region, when Nike is a global company. If Battier can get a shoe deal in China, Lebron will be able to capitalize wherever he goes.
Well, Nike is a huge company. No matter what they do, I don't think they'll ever be seen as concentrating, they're just too (as you said) global. And even if they were to focus on a region, it's the biggest damn region in the world. I put Nike in there, because I think China's money alone wouldn't be able to do it. Since Nike can't be restricted (I'm assuming), they can offer a huge amount of money and celebrity power that Lebron might not be able to refuse.
The Chinese leagues don't have nearly the reputation or money behind them to think of imitating what the Euroleagues have in mind. Nike might want it to happen (I doubt that, but its something else entirely), but its not enough on its own.
Oh, so you're talking about Nike offering him a kicker in his endorsement deal if he plays in a big market? I think the rumored one he had in NYC was just that, so I doubt he'd get it in any city in China.
China is a communist country. The government could easily kick in to help the league. Nike isn't even necessary, it would ba additional gravy on top for Lebron. The government could easily help a chinese league team and come up with a crazy $500mm offer to lure Lebron (and/or Kobe too actually). It could happen if the government feels it is in the countries best interest.
Even if he doesn't have a kicker right now, I don't see why Nike wouldn't create one to have him play in China. I'm not too well versed in Communist governments, but Netted makes a good point. I still think Nike could pull it off though, providing the majority of the "salary".
Nike already has access to the Chinese market though. I don't know why they'd get involved with his FA decisions though. Sure China is an appealing market, but the goal is to get a foot hold in China and the USA. If you're Nike why would you pay 100 million dollars to move your boy out of the USA? It just doesn't make sense.
I think it makes plenty of sense for Nike. No offense to Cleveland, but when looking at China, it's no comparison. Lebron gets treated like a basketball god over here, but over there's he's a freaking rock star. In terms of marketing, exposure, and making money, which one would you rather have? Think about all the Lebron China jerseys they'd be able to sell? The shoes? And it's likely he'd only be there for a year, which makes everything even more super-limited edition and coveted. The way the NBA is set up in the US makes Lebron fandom too spread out. Yeah, everyone here pretty much likes him, but 29 teams and their fans aren't completely in love with him, especially when they play against their teams. In China, he'll be everyone's star. Yeah he's big here, but he'll be huge over there.
Think about all the Lebron jersey's they'd stop selling. Hey the China market is great, but I'd have a hard time believing it's bigger than the USA. Nike is not going to pay Lebron to leave their biggest market.
That's partly true. I doubt they'd completely be unable to sell anymore Lebron jerseys in the US, however. And remember, this is only for one year. Lebron doesn't (and probably won't) stay for more than one year. That type of limited time will make the Chinese go crazy for him while he's there, but will also limit the time he is gone from the US. One year later, and he's back to selling NBA jerseys.
So Nike is going to pay Lebron millions upon millions to play overseas for one year? What can they hope to accomplish in one season? If they're serious about cornering that market they're in it for the long term. You don't shell out 10s of millions and short change yourself on significant results.
It's illegal for marketing deals to contain kickers for a player to play in a certain city, or at least it is against NBA Rules. Therefore, LeBron has no kicker to play in a given city in the USA, but it might not be relevant to playing abroad, which could be an interesting factor.
Exactly. Yes, he'll only be playing there for one year, but his presence and Nike's marketed presence of him will be felt for years and years to come. He'll be a rock star/hero over there, winning championships (they'll make more than one to win for Lebron), selling out seats and jerseys and shoes. Cool, thanks for the info.
