Q: What if one of sport's most recognizable icons headed to Europe to play basketball instead of playing in the NBA?
LeBron James (loose French translation = "The Bron" James) has stated that he would accept offers to play basketball in Europe. And at this point, he's already been contacted by a few clubs, although no formal salary talks have begun. James is under contract through the 2011 season, but he can opt out of his contract a year before. He's stated that he would seriously consider salary offers around $50M per year. Although I cannot fathom what he would do with the additional money, as he likely has everything he wants, such a move would be devastating to the NBA. Losing a star of this caliber would undoubtedly affect ticket sales for the Cleveland Cavaliers, television ratings, and possibly cause a rash of players bolting to Europe for more money. Unlike the NBA, European clubs are not bound by a salary cap and possibly could offer James a very lucrative contract. Ever since I've watched sports I've thought the United States had the best sports leagues (except soccer) and the world's best athletes played here... For example, the baseball and basketball final games are considered "World Championships" which must be like a kick in the face to all the other countries that have similar leagues.
I see a couple issues with this. One is that the salaries of professional athletes are WAY TOO HIGH...although I cannot hope to change that with anything I will ever do. Someone getting paid $100K or more to play basketball or any sport for that matter, just doesn't make sense to me. Much less what James "would consider" to play for Europe. Or Jordan in 1997-98, or David Beckham's salary in the MLS. Yet, people watch sports, television ratings go up, companies pay for the television advertising, apparel sells, sports teams take a cut, so athletes get paid more...or given this, athletes CAN be paid so much. If no one watched, different story. But we do.
Yet, for all the .0001% of kids who will end up as LeBron James, the other 99.9999% will end up NOT PLAYING PROFESSIONAL SPORTS and will have to get normal jobs...so shouldn't we be investing into them instead?
Forget trying to change the world. The other issue I see is that the NBA model won't work long term if European teams are able to sign stars because they aren't restricted by a salary cap. There's really no loyalty in sports anymore, and if Europe can offer more money, eventually the players will follow.
I see a couple issues with this. One is that the salaries of professional athletes are WAY TOO HIGH...although I cannot hope to change that with anything I will ever do. Someone getting paid $100K or more to play basketball or any sport for that matter, just doesn't make sense to me. Much less what James "would consider" to play for Europe. Or Jordan in 1997-98, or David Beckham's salary in the MLS. Yet, people watch sports, television ratings go up, companies pay for the television advertising, apparel sells, sports teams take a cut, so athletes get paid more...or given this, athletes CAN be paid so much. If no one watched, different story. But we do.
Yet, for all the .0001% of kids who will end up as LeBron James, the other 99.9999% will end up NOT PLAYING PROFESSIONAL SPORTS and will have to get normal jobs...so shouldn't we be investing into them instead?
Forget trying to change the world. The other issue I see is that the NBA model won't work long term if European teams are able to sign stars because they aren't restricted by a salary cap. There's really no loyalty in sports anymore, and if Europe can offer more money, eventually the players will follow.
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