So would Nike continue sponsoring LeBron? If they go overseas wouldnt they lose alot of publicity and their sponsor $$?
If the dollar magically drops that much, we'd have a LOT more to worry about than NBA players leaving for Europe.
There are people who can pay that money without problems but question is would anybody do it. Anybody who loves the game of basketball would like to compete on the highest level, NBA's that answer. What can't you do with millions of dollars that you can't do with double more.
Without problem? $50 Million of direct salary translates to about $80 Million before taxes. That's still A LOT of money. Just because there are billionaires out there, that doesn't mean they run around dropping tens of millions of dollars like it's nothing. They got that rich knowing that it IS something. I doubt they'd be willing to just throw their money around, and I highly doubt there are even many people at all that would even consider it.
Beckham is not the only over-the-hill superstar that has come over to play soccer here. People keep comparing the soccer scenario with basketball. Here are two major differences: 1. There are more than one top level soccer leagues in the world. There is only one in basketball. 2. US soccer is less than minor league in the eyes of the soccer world. America has yet produced a world class player. Europe (and Argentina) have already produced their share of star basketball players, and the rate is increasing.
The problem is, in this day and age, its not just the top Leagues willing to spend big money for talent. When you get these owners egos running wild and they don't care how much they are spending, they will buy a player for big money just to feel important themselves. Look, at the end of the day, people only care about whats in front of them. The NBA season tip off starts, and people will not care that some superstar is over in Europe. Someone will step in, fill their place, life will go on.....
