Some are actually quoting Jay Z though. I think it'll be hard to prove unless LBJ directly connects the Nets to tampering. -Petey
Does Jay-Z, a minority owner , represent the Nets? He can say whatever he wants about his and LeBron's friendship. Did he ever say that he and LeBron are in talks about a future contract?
In 2005, Phil Jackson was fined $25K for violating the league's anti-tampering rule. He was asked about Chris Bosh and he said that Bosh would be a good free agent prize. The fine would have been bigger if he made actual overtures to Bosh about coming to LA, no doubt. What exactly have the Nets done or said that even comes close to this?
He does represent the Nets. He is an owner, even if a small owner. He cannot say whatever he wants. You are misreading the rules, which talk about team officials. Bruce Ratner is a minority owner with 7%. Forest City Enterprises is a minority owner with 23%. There is no majority owner. Nor is there anything in the rules that exempt minority owners. Jay-Z has to be careful and telling Vibe that he texts Lebron while he is on the bench is just plain dumb. If an owner of the Cavs were texting Carter during a game, how do you think you'd feel?
Why can't he text LeBron? Because he's an owner of the "enemy" now? If he was texting LeBron before he bought a part of the Nets, why should he have to stop? It's not like he's sending him an SMS trying to convince him to join the team or dump the Cavs. If Frank told the media that he plans on visiting LeBron's house during Christmas to try to convince him to join the Nets in 2010, that's tampering.
If you can get fined just for saying that a player would be a prize in free agency, then it looks as though a lot of teams will be fined in the future, as they are bound to say similar things about LeBron. I think it is silly that these rules can appear to infringe upon friendships, but with the two being so close, it would be very easy for Jay-Z to persuade LeBron to become a Net, but wouldn't get reported. So it will happen, and I'll go on record as saying that the Nets are and will be tampering with LeBron, trying to persuade him to join the Nets. But by doing so in closed conversations between friends, nothing will come of it.
I really dont care if it is or isnt tampering. I just want whatever Jay-Z is doing works. If he has to pimp Beyonce, her sister and all the original and current members of Destiny's Child, Jay-Z needs to seal the deal.
lol... if the cavs did file for tampering... it would be so weak... wouldnt it just piss of lebron even more? that he would just leave the cavs for us anyway? lebron can be like tamper this cleveland and take his skills to NJ ^^
