Small Market? BIG BUSINESS

Here’s a good look at the shift to being online. The recent rumors of Lebron James getting a ridiculous bonus from Nike and other sponsors if he signed with the New York Kincks in 2010 are just that – rumors. Maybe Lebron will sign with the Knicks as they will have a lot of cap space, and will be looking to spend, but there will be no extraordinary Nike bonus coming his way.

The logic behind it works – in the 1970’s or 80’s. As the rumor went, it was pitched to Lebron that New York would be a better market for him to play in since it is the biggest market in the US. It would have made sense years back when there would be more people to wear his jersey and come to games, but with the internet and the media having much improved coverage, us fans no longer have to cheer for the home town hero. We can choose to root for whom ever we like.

Lebron is a Global Brand, and that’s probably why we would consider the insane mention of $50 Million per year to play overseas. Lebron is like Tiger Woods, no matter where he plays, everyone is watching him. I am amazed that he makes the Lakers look like a small market. Kobe gets pushed aside if there is a Lebron James story to be had on the evening sports. I can remember the days when the sports coverage was of your local team and Michael Jordan. That was it. Now its all at our fingertips – if you want to cheer for Yao Ming, and you live at the North Pole, you can get relatively the same coverage as someone in Houston.

The power of info in a split has brought fans much closer to these superstars night after night. Its great for markets like Canada. Heck, if Vancouver still had the Grizzlies and was drafting Steve Francis today, maybe he would have realized that he can still be a star, and Canada isn’t half way around the globe (but that’s a whole other story for another day)

Lebron is going to live and play where he has the best shot at the championship. He has all the ingredients to be at the top of the Athlete Superstar food chain, except for the championship ring(s). We’ll see what happens as the season progresses, is that illusive championship ring in the near future?

Premier Week!

Its Premier Week in the NBA. I caught a couple of the games last night. Boston winning over Cleveland, and this year's Lakers absolutely spanking the Trailblazers. Wow, they sure are a different team with Greg Oden off the floor - hope he heals that foot quickly, Portland needs him. The Boston game was much more entertaining as it was a rematch of last year's playoff battle, well, sort of. The Cavs look in pretty good shape, some nice acquisitions in the off season, but Boston is still Boston - here's some early predictions, Lakers and Celtics to the finals...again.

Well, onto our local scene. As the NBA is kicking off their season, we're getting ready to start the second season of the PEEL. We have grown a bit since the summer league, changed a few things (hopefully for the better) and we're hoping that this season will be the best yet. For all you players out there from the PEEL - thank you for your patience during our September/October hiatus. We're launching The PEEL Winter League (now that we're running until January) on November 8, 2008. The teams look a lot stronger than the Summer league - but I'm not making any predictions until the exhibition games are over.