Report: LeBron sends in paperwork to change jersey number

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/03/02/lebron.number.change.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2


CLEVELAND (AP) -- LeBron James is making good on his promise.

James has filed paperwork with the NBA to change his uniform number next season to No. 6 from No. 23, the league confirmed on Tuesday. James said earlier this season he would be willing to give up No. 23 in an effort to have the league retire it in honor of Michael Jordan. Paperwork had to be filed this week to request a number change for next season.

"All it does is back up LeBron's beliefs," Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "He's a loyalty guy. When he believes in something, he sticks to his guns and he believes wholeheartedly in what he's doing."

James, who declined interview requests on Tuesday, is going from one legendary number to another. Julius Erving and Bill Russell have both made No. 6 famous.

"The first thing I think of is Dr. J," Brown said.

James wore No. 6 with the U.S. Olympic team and wears it every day at practice. He isn't the first superstar to change numbers mid-career. Among others, Jordan briefly wore No. 45 after coming out of retirement with the Bulls and Kobe Bryant more recently switched from No. 8 to No. 24.

"We remember the 8 on Kobe, but we also know the 24," Cavs point guard Mo Williams said. "After a year or two, people will look past the old number and let it rest with Jordan."

Just another reason to dislike him

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AqJHqsbgZQXxQAIeKyewxjS8vLYF?slug=aw-lebronjordan030210&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

yahoo article stating the obvious

The Laker's announcers just rightly brought up the obvious #6 "King" James switch...which is to say the greatest player ever was not ever on the bulls.

Hi,
I wonder why he didn't hire a couple of smart marketing guys to make this business transaction smooth, without making fool out of himself.

AK

jeb65 wrote:The Laker's announcers just rightly brought up the obvious #6 "King" James switch...which is to say the greatest player ever was not ever on the bulls.

jeb,

Not sure I understand this.

What would be funny is if he changed his jersey to #24. That'd force Kobe to change again. LOL

bob

What do the deals look like for jersey sales?

How much do teams and the individual players get (if any?)

Is this why the Cavs have X "new" sets of jerseys every season?

(Economics major indeed.)

bobheck 6 is russ's # and the laker guys were calling that to bron's attention

Yes- they were calling him out on his BS. They were saying, "You say you're changing your number out of respect for Jordan, but you're changing to # 6 ? Bill Russell's number ? Are you kidding me ?"


The whole thing is a joke.

swedeinestonia wrote:What do the deals look like for jersey sales?

How much do teams and the individual players get (if any?)

Is this why the Cavs have X "new" sets of jerseys every season?

(Economics major indeed.)

swede,

In the NBA, the players share equally in jersey sales. So Varajao makes as much on jersey sales as Lebron.

bob

bobheckler wrote:swede,

In the NBA, the players share equally in jersey sales. So Varajao makes as much on jersey sales as Lebron.

bob

Bob

While that may be true for officially licensed jerseys and such, Lebron had a whole line of clothing with his name and number on it – and special crown 23 logos and such that has nothing to do with NBA licensing.

All of that will be redesigned and resold by Nike. There is BIG money in a number change.

bobheckler wrote:

swedeinestonia wrote:What do the deals look like for jersey sales?

How much do teams and the individual players get (if any?)

Is this why the Cavs have X "new" sets of jerseys every season?

(Economics major indeed.)

swede,

In the NBA, the players share equally in jersey sales. So Varajao makes as much on jersey sales as Lebron.

bob

Is this no matter if it has a number on it or not? Are they shared amongst the team or amongst the NBA?

swedeinestonia wrote:

bobheckler wrote:

swedeinestonia wrote:What do the deals look like for jersey sales?

How much do teams and the individual players get (if any?)

Is this why the Cavs have X "new" sets of jerseys every season?

(Economics major indeed.)

swede,

In the NBA, the players share equally in jersey sales. So Varajao makes as much on jersey sales as Lebron.

bob

Is this no matter if it has a number on it or not? Are they shared amongst the team or amongst the NBA?

Swede,

I read that a jersey is a jersey is a jersey, from a revenue sharing perspective. Now, Lebron's personal clothing line is something else.

bob

Ok thanks.

the lakers announcers are really good. they know the game and call it honestly.

refs BAILING the lakers out yet again

Just another publicity stunt by a player looking to make millions more off of stupid people buying his new jersey!

112288

Kobe is the best and most popular player in the NBA. This is a fact because the has the highest number of jerseys sold in the WORLD. Do you know how I know this to be true? Because the trolls over at the BDC told us this, over and over again. And again. And again.

That's how facts are made.

King Nothing ( ) wants that title. His marketing people sold him this bill of goods and now he wants it. The problem is that nobody suggested that should THINK before he picks a new number. None of his Klingons are strong enough to counter his decisions with a reasonable alternative to #6.

What does having the biggest sales (world-wide) in jersey sales have to do with world-wide basketball knowledge? Nothing. Let me tell you a brief story.

Last August, my wife and I were down in Boston for the Board get-together. We were spending a delightful day, walking around Haymarket Square, where we finally found Red's statue. When we found it, there was a very young Japanese couple taking pictures and they asked if we could take one of both of them.

I complied, and after taking a couple of shots, I handed the camera back to her. I asked her if she knew who the statue was and she said, "No, but everyone was taking pictures there, so it must be someone important". I asked her if she knew what the significance of the Boston Celtic - LA Laker rivalry was, and again she said no.

I asked her these questions because she was wearing Kobe's Laker jersey.