Sep 02 2008
Welker’s daily links 09/01/2008
Published by Jason Welker at 12:30 am under
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ESPN.com - Source: LeBron would consider European offer of $50M a year or more
The source close to James said LeBron would play in Europe only for a year or two before returning to the NBA. He said James would view it as an opportunity to popularize the game and himself overseas. He added that James would not consider himself to be playing in the “minor leagues.”
“Not at all,” the person said. “He believes those guys are pros also.”
The entire scenario falls in line with James’ stated goals of becoming a billionaire and “global icon.” But the representative from the players’ association will have to see James in a European uniform before he believes it.
“First of all, we don’t know that there’s going to be a $50 million offer,” the official said. “And secondly, he wouldn’t be able to accomplish over there the things that he wants to do over here, which are to win NBA championships, MVP awards, etc.”
But he could become filthy rich and a global icon.
About the author: Jason Welker is a teacher at Zurich International School in Switzerland, where he teaches Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Economics. Jason was an international school student in Malaysia before studying economics at Seattle University then earning his Masters in Education. He calls Seattle and Northern Idaho home. In addition to maintaining an economics wiki and this blog for economics student and educators, Jason also gives presentations on using Web 2.0 tools in education at workshops and conferences around the world. His economics wiki won the 2007 "Best Educational Wiki" award from the "EduBlog Awards". 
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This might not have a lot to do with economics that we study in class, but a good article nonetheless. I don’t care much for the NBA to be honest. A lot of the players are only in it for the money. As if LeBron James isn’t already ‘filthy rich’! On top of that, I would have to say that the Euroleague could easily be compared to the NBA. Take a look at the Greek and Spanish national teams. The majority of their players come from European leagues and they dominate the World Championships. Or does winning the World Cup mean nothing to an NBA player, who in my opinion isn’t actually playing proper basketball; moreso a showboating version.
‘He said James would view it as an opportunity to popularize the game and himself overseas.’ What a joke!!!!! Basketball is already a very popular sport over here!
The only problem, which could be up for discussion is how to make it so that revenue of the European leagues is equal to that of the NBA. If it was, i think we would see more NBA players playing in the Euroleague; not for fame, but for the ability to play in a currently underrated league. Unfortunately, the NBA could be considered a monopoly in the world of basketball. The average salary of a greek league player is nothing in comparison to that of an average NBA player.
As Nicolas has previously stated, the NBA is little by little becoming more about the money as opposed to the “love” of the game itself. It’s often disappointing to see players emerge from college basketball with hunger and eagerness to win and then a few years into an NBA career this same sentiment about what I feel is an AWESOME sport is gone.
Since the purpose of this blog is to relate the economic concepts that we learn in class to a blog post such as this, I’d like to talk about the “opportunity cost.”Is money everything? If “king” James were to take up on this $50 million offer what would he be missing out on? Lebron James has yet to experience an NBA championship tile and has not yet won an MVP award. These titles alone are what players aspire for (at least those who actually love the game) and until Lebron reaches these milestones he can hardly settle for playing in Europe, even if it’s only for a few years. While European leagues are filled with talent, it is the NBA that attracts the best in the world. Is it worth giving all that up for a mere publicity stunt aimed at increasing his popularity?
Also in response to Nicolas’ comment that Europeans “dominate” the world championships and that basketball played in the NBA is “showboating,” I’d like to make a few statements. Just because players in Europe can’t jump as high as players in the US, and can’t produce INCREDIBLE dunks, doesn’t mean that the basketball played in the US is any less than that played in Europe. As far as championships, the U.S.A rarely sends its best players to events such as the Olympics. Instead they use these events as opportunities for young players to gain experience. However just to remind the world of who invented this sport the U.S.A brought their “A” game this year in Beijing 2008 and regained their Dream Team status. I have nothing against Europe or its basketball associations, I just thought I’d put things in perspective.
I completely agree with the revenue idea. Player’s salaries need to be more balanced, but this is sadly an issue that affects most sports.
I agree with both NIck and Chris, but if Lebron wants to leave for money he should. Although it would be a set back for him and all his fans, for that much money who wouldn’t.
I also believe that if James moves to Europe a lot more people will watch european basketball or at least the highlights. It would help the european leagues a lot.
Although america has there dream team status I do not think they play the best basketball, if Lebron would move to europe I believe it would improve his team game a lot more. While in the NBA man to man is easily beaten because of immense individual skill (kobe) the europeans have only now produced a so called all star who could prosper in the NBA. But there team game, as shown in the Beijing, Olympics is outstanding.
In this discussion opportunity cost plays a big role. If Lebron goes to Europe he wont be able to get the NBA title or get MVP. However, he gets 50 million dollars and is working his way up to being a billionaire. However, when we compare the European league to the NBA even though both are considered “Professionals” in my opinion the NBA is more of a challenge than the European league. I am not saying that the European league isn’t good, im just saying that NBA is better than the European league. Although, The U.S.A did invent Basketball.
Don’t be surprised if “King James” goes through with this, but I wouldn’t advise it. As an American, who saw first-hand the effect of David Beckham’s coming to America, Lebron would certainly increase his popularity with a move overseas. When Beckham arrived, every single news network was covering him, and he has become immensely popular in Hollywood. For David Beckham, it was probably a smart move, but Lebron is in a different phase of his career. Beckham was on his way down, without much promise left. James, however, has not even reached his prime, and is the NBA’s most promising player. Going along with what Dan The Man said, it’s all about the opportunity cost. Beckham wasn’t giving up much as he was already out of Real Madrid and England’s starting line-up. On the other hand, Lebron would be giving up the possibility of NBA Championships, MVP awards, and the potential for improvement that comes with playing in the world’s most competitive basketball league (you can’t argue with that). All the while, Lebron is still making over $20 million a year plus endorsements with Nike. In my opinion, the opportunity cost of a Lebron James European Adventure is simply too great.