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lol.... Dudes will sell their soul for money in 09.
Jay-Z and the New Jersey Nets? Mike D'Antoni and the New York Knicks?
Heck, the Cleveland Cavaliers' strongest compe ion for LeBron James' long-term services could be the deep-pocketed new kid on the block -- Europe.
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 2009-10 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 $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.
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
lol.... Dudes will sell their soul for money in 09.
Oh yeah, Lebron is going to get a Jordan like legacy, by playing in Europe.
he wants money
i'd take 50 million a year
I'd play in Tehran or Greenland for $50 million a year.
but you dudes have no talent....
lol...
MR OBVIOUS!
Baghdad?
Praise Allah.
His goal was to be a global icon and a billionaire. Plus he'd just play in Europe during the basketball season and then fly back to glorious Akron during the offseason.
[QUOTE=rj and then fly back to glorious Akron during the offseason.[/QUOTE]
why would he? he be up for double taxing on foreign income if he stays in america for a ac ulated period of time for that financial year.
He can't shoot, he will suck in europe
i think lebrons point was that he basically would not play in europe. id be willing to bet even if he did get an offer for $50 mil a year, he would still stay in the NBA.
LeBron's goal isn't to be the next Jordan. He already said it was to be a global icon & a billionaire. Playing in Europe for a few years would help that.
I don't think he'd go until he already won a le in the NBA tho.
I'd praise Allah for half that money.
Lebron said he wants to be the first billionaire athlete.
that's what he wants. so I would not be surprised to see him go for 50, 60 mil a year.
Sad. Todays athletes.
Lebroke must have spent his 100 millie Nike deal...
isnt he already a global icon? jordan became one without leaving the league.
but man 50 mil a year is just crazy....thats almost manus or tony whole contract in one year!!!!!
i dont think he passes it up and plays about 2-3 years and collect almost 200mil just in his playing salary...not including new endorsements he could get.
not even close to what Jordan was internationally.
When little kids in Paraguay say "James!" when they make a basket, he will be close. But right now, most of the world don't know who he is.
Has has money, and will make a load more of it when he wins a ring. You think Lebron has endorsements now, wait till he starts winning les and he will be on TV every 15 seconds.
Everyone thinks Lebron winning a le is a forgone conclusion. but when he signs his megadeal in 2010, how many teams outside of the Spurs will have a legit shot at winning a le? He might go somewhere like the Knicks and play for that loser D'Antoni. Or go to the Nets and have to carry whatever scrubs they'll have.
How much freakin money do you need these days?
Does he drive a hummer 24/7 or something?
SSSHHHIIITTTTT!! That man would kill anybody standing between him and signing.
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