With that kind of money changing hands, you want the very best representation you can get. This isn't the time to be doling out favors to high school buddies. This move is unbelievable. Didn't Ricky Williams do something similar by hiring Master P or someone like that as an agent, then get arguably the worst contract in the history of the NFL? Fortunately for NBA players, especially someone like LeBron, the contract is a rubber stamp max deal. Not much in the way of negotiations. That said, there are legal, tax, estate planning, marketing and a whole host of other issues that someone who is in their early 20's just doesn't have the experience to deal with properly.
"Taking the middleman out" is an often-used cliche, but frankly there are many instances where what you describe as middle men are extremely valuable. Financial, legal, tax, and many other types of advice can save tens of millions of dollars in situations like LeBron's. One slip up in a complicated legal document and you are toast. A "middle-man" such as an agent or lawyer is paid to ensure that things like that don't happen. They add value.
I agree with respect to simply signing his next contract. Any player that will receive the max doesn't need an agent to negotiate that deal. It's all the other stuff which Trader_Jorge mentioned where an agent is needed. Look what happened to Kramer when he didn't listen to Jackie Chiles!
I couldn't believe my ears when I heard this on the radio. What an insanely cocky and stupid move to pull. I understand that he is a top 10 NBA player and knows it, and he is 20 years old and has the Invulnerability Complex kicking in full effect, but I think he is buying into his own hype too much. Granted, LeBron has already made almost a quarter of a billion dollars, but not having an experienced and connected negotiator on his side will cost him big. I just hope this kind of attitude won't translate on to the basketball court. If it does, he will be the next Kobe, as opposed to the next MJ. J
That was the first thing that came to mind when the report mentioned that Maverick was Lebron's high school mate. I really do not understand this move at all - there is more that is not being revealed because the dots do not connect here. ------------- Can someone explain that to me.....I am lost. What does the reporter mean by disingenuous if Lebron endorsed an automibile that is not a Hummer?
Because of the Hummer fiasco, everyone now assumes that the Hummer is Lebron's car of choice. Therefore, consumers won't believe him when he says you should buy an Escalade. Doesn't seem like a problem to me, but whichever.
On a bit of a side issue re LeBron, I was sent a video of him hitting about 5 shots in a row from the opposite end of the court at what looked like a Cavs practice session. Can anyone confirm for me if this was real or was an ad or similar? I havent seen it on TV here in Oz so was just curious.
