LeBrons' new Nike Contract.

• hoops23

  

  Does not include "extra" money or bonuses for playing in lager market...
  

  By Brian Windhorst, The Plain Dealer
  March 31, 2010, 4:49PM
  UPDATED: 5:19 p.m.
  
  CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On Monday, LeBron James filmed a Nike commercial ticketed for NBA playoff telecasts at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron. It was just the latest in a series of spots dating back seven years, reflecting James' now long-standing relationship with the shoe giant. There will be many, many more.
  
  James' seven-year contract with Nike was set to expire in a couple of months, but a new long-term deal has been reached that will keep Nike and James together for at least the next seven years. That means tens of millions for James -- but it also may mean some peace of mind for concerned Cavaliers fans about Nike's role in James' upcoming free agency decision.
  
  According to multiple sources, James' new Nike deal does not have any bonuses for playing in a larger market such as New York, Chicago or Los Angeles. There has been some speculation that such clauses would be something for James to consider when he becomes a free agent in July.
  
  Instead, James will continue to focus on winning, which is helping shoe sales. The current version of James' signature shoe, the Zoom LeBron VI, has been the best-selling version of the shoe. Two Final Four teams, Butler and Michigan State, will be wearing LeBron styles at the Final Four.
  
  The increase in popularity can be attributed to James winning the Most Valuable Player Award and the Cavs' success over the last two seasons. It is giving momentum for Nike to roll out more James products and likely with a new logo after he completes his number change next season.
  
  "We have a great relationship with Nike and LeBron's relationship with (Nike Senior Director of Basketball) Lynn Merritt is irreplaceable," said Maverick Carter, the CEO of James' Cleveland-based LRMR Marketing and Branding, which put the Nike deal together.
  
  In the last year, Carter has also extended James' relationship with Coca-Cola and signed James to an endorsement deal with McDonald's.
  
  "The way the deal works is a testament to how much work has gone into LeBron's brand," said Carter, who had talks with Nike over 18 months about the new contract. "The team LeBron has there means the world to us."

  http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/03/sources_say_lebron_james_new_d.html
  
  Wasn't this always one of the more popular responses from people on why Lebron would leave?
• wildcats20

  

  And he's not playing in the World's this summer for Team USA; which I believe means he won't be playing in the next Olympics, if I remember correctly.
• wildcats20

  

  But I am interested in seeing what Nike does with the logo.
• Lovejoy1984

  

  ^^^
  
  That's what Colangelo said.
  
  But I bet if LeBron said he wanted to play in the Olympics, he'd have a spot on the team.
• hoops23

  

  Yeah he said he's not playing in the worlds, but I don't think that keeps him from playing in the Olympics. Like Highroller said, I don't think you're going to deny LeBron a spot on the olympics.
  
  I'm also interested in seeing the new logo.
  
  I didn't mind the old one, but it wasn't the most creative. I'd rather have some kind of logo with LeBron doing his signature tomahawk or something..
• Lovejoy1984

  

  Yeah I imagine it'll be a play off of Jordan now. Would be great to have it be a chase down block, but would probably be too cluttered.
• wildcats20

  

  LTrain23 wrote: Yeah he said he's not playing in the worlds, but I don't think that keeps him from playing in the Olympics.

  Actually, it does according to the Team USA brass. Who required a 3 year commitment from the players. But like High Roller said, if Bron doesn't want to play this summer he will still have a spot on the Olympic roster. Same could be said for Kobe, D Wade, and Howard.
• wildcats20

  

  My guess the new logo will include this:
  
  
  And if you flip it horizontal, it somewhat resembles a 6. Which if Nike wants to stick with the "number like" logo, it could be done.
• jpake1

  

  A few people believed that. Please tell me if I'm wrong (need proof), but I thought it was a violation of the CBA to have that kind of insentive. If it is, obviously it wouldn't be in a contract. Plus, there are ways around it if Nike really wants to. Before anybody jumps down my throat... he isn't going to NY.
• hoops23

  

  wildcats20 wrote:

  LTrain23 wrote: Yeah he said he's not playing in the worlds, but I don't think that keeps him from playing in the Olympics.

  Actually, it does according to the Team USA brass. Who required a 3 year commitment from the players. But like High Roller said, if Bron doesn't want to play this summer he will still have a spot on the Olympic roster. Same could be said for Kobe, D Wade, and Howard.

  That's all I'm saying. I don't think they would keep him off the Olympics roster. Not LeBron.
  
  If we're talking Joe Johnson or somebody, maybe, but seriously... It's Lebron. Same could be said for Kobe, Wade, Melo, maybe Durant and Howard.
  
  Supposedly LeBron is going to be filming a boat load of commercials, working on a movie and traveling/working out with JJ Hickson and some others during the summer before making his big decision.
• wildcats20

  

  jpake1 wrote: A few people believed that. Please tell me if I'm wrong (need proof), but I thought it was a violation of the CBA to have that kind of insentive. If it is, obviously it wouldn't be in a contract. Plus, there are ways around it if Nike really wants to. Before anybody jumps down my throat... he isn't going to NY.

  Pretty sure the CBA doesn't/can't touch what Nike can/can't do.
• wildcats20

  

  I could care less if Bron or anyone else for that matter plays in the World games, as long as they are there for the Olympics when it matters.
• hoops23

  

  Well, considering Chad Ford was one of the guys claiming Lebron could get more money from Nike by playing in a larger market, I don't think it's against the CBA... Then again, Chad Ford is an idiot, so who knows.
• hoops23

  

  wildcats20 wrote: I could care less if Bron or anyone else for that matter plays in the World games, as long as they are there for the Olympics when it matters.

  So you do care?
• wildcats20

  

  Ugh.
  
  You and Fab4, I swear lol
• jpake1

  

  Maybe he meant from a different route. I've seen articles from Wall Street Journal that had "sources" that LBJ has yet to meet goals with Nike that would give very nice insentives. That same source said that's how Nike would give him more money because they believe he'd sell more stuff being in the bigger market. Do I believe that stuff... its sound quite poppycock to me now-a-days. Just saying what I heard and seeing if anybody else would know better about that situation.