King James vs Dan Gilbert: Majority Owner Loses Majority of Profits
Jul 9, 2010 Featured, Let's Talk About It: Discussion Board
Posted by
Nikki
LeBron James’ decision to take his fate in his own hands and move to Miami for a chance at a championship has seem to become an emotional epidemic. James, 25 voiced his decision Thursday, the 8th of July. He will join forces with Chris Bosh and the awesome Dwayne Wade. While his decision remains purely business , his hometown and franchise owner seems to have a different taste on his words. Dan Gilbert , majority owner of the franchise- the Cleveland Cavaliers, prior to LeBron’s decision seemed composed and respectful. After the decision was announced, Gilbert’s true colors came out when he stated:
“ This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his “decision” unlike anything ever “witnessed” in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.
The good news is that …your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.
You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.
“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE””. The exact letter can be read at: http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html .
This statement summed up the total sentiment Gilbert truly felt about James. Ohio locals and their antics accompanied by the negative comments made just proves what has always been an underlying factor. Because this is a blog I can give my OPINION and not be apologetic about it. James’ decision proved hard for him and he had to do what was right for him. Emotionally speaking, no one loves leaving home. His family/ friends are in Ohio and there is where his career began. Gilbert feels betrayed? Yeah right. This all equates to money. The Dinero. Benjamins. Guap. Fetti. Broccoli. Euro. Franc. Comprende? Good. There is no loyalty in pro athleticism. Follow me for a bit. Lets take Carl Landry , formerly of my hometown team- THE HOUSTON ROCKETS. The poor fellow was blindsided by his trade. Whenever a franchise can acquire a seemingly better player or seat filler, a player is traded. If the player injures himself, he is traded. If he doesn’t fill those stadium seats companies had bid wars for in naming, he is traded; released early from his contract. So if a franchise can trade a under contract player whenever, why can’t a free agent choose his fate? Do you think Gilbert honestly felt betrayed? The only thing hurting is Gilbert’s checkbook. Now he can’t afford a Bugatti every two weeks. Boo Hoo. Why do you think companies have bid wars for naming playing facilities? MONEY. Every game played at their facility draws attention and money to their company. Where was the loyalty in endorsements for Tiger Woods? There was none. He didn’t cheat on his endorsements . Tiger cheated on his wife. Did that stop them from snatching some? Nope. Do you want to know why? If the companies Tiger represented continued to hold Tiger in esteem after his infidelity, they would lose more money. Women are America’s number one consumer. They buy for themselves, husbands, kids , family and friends. What they don’t buy, they get their husbands and boyfriends to. Everything equals money.
Gilbert released those statements because that’s how he felt about James in his heart. He tolerated James enough as long as he filled those seats at Cleveland Clinic Courts. People bought season ticket to see LeBron James play not the Cleveland Cavaliers. If the Cavaliers was such a grand team, why were they looking for one man to lead them. James carried the team. There was no Kobe and Gasol or Garnett and Pierce. Where was the Pippin for Cleveland’s Jordan? They didn’t attempt to find the Drexler for Olajuwan and Gilbert has the audacity to be mad?
Furthermore the so called fans who are now calling pro athletes thugs and low life’s undeserving of their money ; what about them? James plays ball because he loves the game and wants to have the ultimate payment- a championship ring. LeBron is taking a pay cut and splicing his limelight. He shares the center stage with Wade and Bosh. So his decision is purely business. Gilbert’s statement and fans antics are purely extensions of how corporate America and its ambassadors feel about the their puppets. How can the Cavaliers be mad? How did they acquire Shaq? Through a trade. Sleazy is as sleazy does and for the record, I wouldn’t want my child growing up to be a _________________ (insert name) like Gilbert. Is his display of professionalism is what we want to teach our children? Do we want them to think that it’s ok to cry like an infant girl when someone beats you at your own game or you do not get your way? Where is Gilbert’s manhood? If I had a child with him, I’d tell my seed that he/she was adopted. How is that for betrayal? BANG, BANG, BANG and POW!
This article was written by Pretty Nikki…….
Hailing from Missouri City, Texas( a suburb of Houston, TX) , Nik attends McNeese State where she is working on a dual mastersin Marketing and Communications. Aspiring to be an entertainment lawyer, Nik sharpens her ability to construct a great argument through casual debates, free lance writing and informal conversations. Often seen as versatile, Nik attributes her ability to adapt to her strange ear for music. “ I listen to everything… Hip Hop, Neo-Soul, Jazz, R&B, the real Soul music .”
Her dreams are as large as her heart. “Ultimately I want to be an icon. I am hoping to succeed in law so that I may pay for medical school and be able to give my services as a cardio vascular surgeon free of charge.”
Quote she lives by: “The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm…”
Tags: basketball, King James, LeBron, Miami, NBA
