http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3520860

Source: LeBron would consider European offer of $50 million a year or more

 

Jay-Z and the New Jersey Nets? Mike D'Antoni and the New York Knicks?

 

Heck, the Cleveland Cavaliers' strongest competition 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 the MLS, the $33 million Michael Jordan was paid by the Chicago Bulls in 1997-1998, the strength of the euro in comparison to the dollar, and the fact that European clubs are not bound by a salary cap.

Edited August 5, 200818 yr by ScarHeel

Lebron won't ever play pro ball in Europe.

Lebron won't ever play pro ball in Europe.

 

Lebron won't ever play pro ball in Europe.

 

Because....??????????

The source is Lebron and his party.

If someone in Europe offers him 50 mil to play one year, he'd be crazy not to consider it.

I just can't see this ever happening.

The NBA is going to need to put some kind of rule in place so this doesn't happen. Something along of lines of if you go you can't come back. No way those teams can afford to pay those guys huge contracts like that for more than a year. The owners have very very deep pockets but they aren't going to recoup the benefits of a long term deal of 5 years 250 Mil.

This is dumb...if players like Lebron go over there, I won't spend anymore time paying any attention to them.

If someone in Europe offers him 50 mil to play one year, he'd be crazy not to consider it.

 

Consider, of course. No way he goes though, IMO. He's had him, his family & his friends set for the rest of their lives. No need in going overseas for more money.

Consider, of course. No way he goes though, IMO. He's had him, his family & his friends set for the rest of their lives. No need in going overseas for more money.

 

I disagree. He could have more of his friends and family set, or he could keep the same group and have them set even better.

 

You're crazy if you don't think there's a legit chance he'd bolt for Europe if they offer him more than double what an NBA team can. And what if they offer to pay his expenses and taxes like they did for Childress?

 

If the economy continues on its current path, this is going to be a serious threat to the NBA...if Childress' situation turns out well, others will follow. It may start with mid-level players, but when superstar players start to see role players going to Europe and making as much as they are, it's only a matter of time before 1) they start to kick the idea around in their head, they start to want a piece of the pie and 2) the European teams up the ante and start offering mega-bucks to the superstars instead of going after mid-level guys.

 

I'd be surprised if there are any sports fans left who are naive enough to think that it's about anything but money. It's all about the money. Sure, they'd probably prefer to stay in the states, but if they can more than double their take with benefits, some of them are gone.

 

This is about more than just Lebron James.

I agree that the NBA better have a rule in place that you can't come back. They can't fork out that kind of dough. I thought there was no way when I opened this thread but it's hard to fault a man that goes and makes $50 million in a year!

Looks like my agent is going to have to contact some European teams for me!

The NBA is going to need to put some kind of rule in place so this doesn't happen. Something along of lines of if you go you can't come back. No way those teams can afford to pay those guys huge contracts like that for more than a year. The owners have very very deep pockets but they aren't going to recoup the benefits of a long term deal of 5 years 250 Mil.

 

They can't do that. They can't make a rule forbidding their players to test the market in other leagues...

 

How could they justify bringing European players to the NBA and then telling NBA players if they go to Europe they can't come back. Would that apply to a guy who came from Europe to start with?

 

This has the potential to be a nightmare for the NBA and, to be honest, I don't think there is anything they can do about.

 

Their best option down the road may be to expand the league to include some European teams...not sure how that would work out or what the details would be, but...

I disagree. He could have more of his friends and family set, or he could keep the same group and have them set even better.

 

You're crazy if you don't think there's a legit chance he'd bolt for Europe if they offer him more than double what an NBA team can. And what if they offer to pay his expenses and taxes like they did for Childress?

 

If the economy continues on its current path, this is going to be a serious threat to the NBA...if Childress' situation turns out well, others will follow. It may start with mid-level players, but when superstar players start to see role players going to Europe and making as much as they are, it's only a matter of time before 1) they start to kick the idea around in their head, they start to want a piece of the pie and 2) the European teams up the ante and start offering mega-bucks to the superstars instead of going after mid-level guys.

 

I'd be surprised if there are any sports fans left who are naive enough to think that it's about anything but money. It's all about the money. Sure, they'd probably prefer to stay in the states, but if they can more than double their take with benefits, some of them are gone.

 

This is about more than just Lebron James.

 

And You're crazy if you think I don't think that. So after reading that part of your post, its usless to read the rest when I know your ranting over nothing. :thumb: I know Puff Daddy was telling the truth when he said, "It's all about the benjamins" so it's all good. There's a chance, yeah...But not a good one. A "legit" one when legit means "real", yeah.