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The LeBron James Decision: Heartbreak in Cleveland -- and Concern About the Bottom Line
Local business owners in Cleveland stand to lose money now that LeBron James, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, is headed to the Miami Heat.
Posted 7/ 8 10 at 8:00 PM | News, Money, Sales, Business Travel, Consumer Products & Services, Food & Beverage, Retail, Travel
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Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that the sports world and just about everyone else is buzzing about LeBron James -- the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, who decided to part ways with the Cleveland Cavaliers and sign with the Miami Heat tonight.Fans in Cleveland, where "King James" has spent his entire career since taking the NBA by storm in 2003, are understandably upset. But so too are some Cleveland business owners, who are worried about a drop in revenue now that the LeBron show is leaving town.
James has brought increased season-ticket and merchandise sales -- not to mention, increased national exposure -- for the Cavaliers franchise, and more business for local restaurants, hotels and bars on game days. Business owners point to a noticeable uptick in revenue since the 25-year-old burst on the scene.
Though the Cavaliers made an offer to keep the Northern Ohio-native on their team, the Heat emerged as James' top pick. James announced his decision during a primetime special on ESPN.
AOL Small Business asked Cleveland-area businesses for their take on what a LeBron-less city would mean for their bottom lines. Call it entrepreneurial optimism, but it appears the show just may go on -- even without the league's best player.
"When the Cavs are in town and during playoffs, because of the location of the Hilton Garden Inn, we definitely see increased occupancy. [Before James joined the team,] there wasn't a lot of attendance and we didn't feel it as much. But now we have a lot of corporate businesspeople who make their plans around when the Cavs are in town, so they can see the team and see James, so it absolutely affects our business. I mean, not to a point where it's going to break our business, but it will definitely affect our occupancy."
George Iannacone
Regional Director of Operations
Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Downtown
George Iannacone
Regional Director of Operations
Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Downtown
"I think the fans are pretty loyal to the Cavs, and I dare say that if he went somewhere else, the fans would still come down. I think business would be pretty stable."
Jon Goerig
Operations Manager
Flannery's Pub
Jon Goerig
Operations Manager
Flannery's Pub
"I don't know. We're a new restaurant -- we've been here a little bit over a year now. We've definitely reaped a lot of benefits from the Cavs, but the city as a whole has grown on its own as well. So it's hard for me to really say. Yes, we get a ton of business when LeBron plays around here, so it is going to hurt things, but I don't think it's the end of the city by any means."
Jonathan Seeholezer
Partner
The Greenhouse Tavern
"We are a hair-cutting franchise. Obviously with the name "Sports Clips" we're all about sports. We thought Cleveland would be a perfect opportunity because it is such a strong sports town, or so we had hoped. The first thing that I did is I went in to [replace our LeBron memorabilia]. And I just went to the sporting goods store and they really didn't have any [memorabilia] other than Ohio State or LeBron James. Well, obviously I'm not going to purchase anything. I'm going to have a tough time finding anything to take up the space on our walls. But it's probably going to cost us a couple hundred dollars to replace the memorabilia and we want to take it down as quickly as possible because I think the general feeling in this area is that he let people down.
"Me, I wish him the best, but we're just going to throw away [the Lebron James memorabilia], probably like $400 worth. People are disappointed and they're upset because they've always supported him, even when they took a chance and recruited him straight from high school. They basically watched him grow into a young man and a better athlete."
Kathi Maxwell
Owner
Sports Clips Haircuts
"I think it might affect business a little bit, but people are still gonna go to the Cavs games. And that's not the only event that we have in downtown Cleveland. There's a million things going on. There's bands, there's concerts, there's business still going on. We're the closest restaurant to the Q, so we get most business for the Cavaliers, but it's still busy for all of the other [teams' games] as well. I know that we did get a lot of people from out of town because it was LeBron, so I don't think we'll get that as much, but I think the local fans will pretty much keep supporting us."
Maura Zitney
Manager
Harry Buffalo
Jonathan Seeholezer
Partner
The Greenhouse Tavern
"We are a hair-cutting franchise. Obviously with the name "Sports Clips" we're all about sports. We thought Cleveland would be a perfect opportunity because it is such a strong sports town, or so we had hoped. The first thing that I did is I went in to [replace our LeBron memorabilia]. And I just went to the sporting goods store and they really didn't have any [memorabilia] other than Ohio State or LeBron James. Well, obviously I'm not going to purchase anything. I'm going to have a tough time finding anything to take up the space on our walls. But it's probably going to cost us a couple hundred dollars to replace the memorabilia and we want to take it down as quickly as possible because I think the general feeling in this area is that he let people down.
"Me, I wish him the best, but we're just going to throw away [the Lebron James memorabilia], probably like $400 worth. People are disappointed and they're upset because they've always supported him, even when they took a chance and recruited him straight from high school. They basically watched him grow into a young man and a better athlete."
Kathi Maxwell
Owner
Sports Clips Haircuts
"I think it might affect business a little bit, but people are still gonna go to the Cavs games. And that's not the only event that we have in downtown Cleveland. There's a million things going on. There's bands, there's concerts, there's business still going on. We're the closest restaurant to the Q, so we get most business for the Cavaliers, but it's still busy for all of the other [teams' games] as well. I know that we did get a lot of people from out of town because it was LeBron, so I don't think we'll get that as much, but I think the local fans will pretty much keep supporting us."
Maura Zitney
Manager
Harry Buffalo
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Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Cleveland and Akron showed him LOVE AND LOYALTY. He took a GIANT CRAP on the City and everyone of his supporters. I personally think Basketball and all overpaid athletes are a huge waste of time, but, either way, he betrayed a City of followers. I hate to admit it, but he united a City by becoming their personal Saviour, and now, their most Hated ENEMY. He will break his arm or leg and be unable to play - KARMA is a Bitch. I wonder if Florida will put up with his Mommy and his over inflated ego??
Yep you are right about no education but He could probably buy you dumb ass!
Lebron James is an athlete...not a personal savior as you put it. Alot of cities give their loyalty and support to alot of athletes...that does not bind them to that city for life. This man had a personal decision to make and he chose what made him happy. He doesn't owe ANYONE ANYTHING!! Just like nobody has the right to tell you that you should work at Burger King instead of McDonalds!!
I think that while he has every right to seek out other opportunities, the way he went about it was absolutely classless. He should have sat down with Dan Gilbert and they should have made the announcement together. He should have thanked the Cavalier fans for all their support through the years and gone out with dignity. This is the reverse of the Galarraga situation with the Detroit Tigers and umpire Jim Joyce where EVERYBODY acted with class and dignity. But what could we expect from this baller who didnt even have the class and sportsmanship to congratulate the Orlando Magic when they got beat in 2009. UGLY. I think karma will hit LeBron in Miami
The guy can play where he wants without a lot of negative goof, but bottom line is, he is nothing but a uneducated basketball player, whats so special about that ?.
I wonder if Jesse Jackson would be willing to come and play for the Cavaliers?
Our couragous President Obama is the best thing that has happenef to this country in many years. Have you given to the United AIDS Relief Fund lately or are you too busy counting your money?
How much TAX money did Lebron save by moving to the Heat, alot. Blame your politicans for the high taxes people have to pay for losing a ball player to any team in a state that does not have an income tax.
WAKE UP
It's really not about him leaving it's about him quitting far before that and selling out his team and fans who were into the playoffs 110 percent while Lebron was on the beach already kissing Dwayne Wade'S rear end. He doen't have charachter and heart just basketball skills. All of you Miami fans better hope g;oria James keeps her panties on in South Beach or you'll go thru the same thing.
DON'T HATE ON THAT MAN IF YOU WERE IN HIS SHOE YOU WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME THING AND MAYBE WORST.
ALL YOU HATERS THAT'S TALKING NEGATIVE THINGS ABOUT THE YOUNG MAN YOU ALL WISH YOU HAD HIS MONEY AND HIS FAME, DON'T HATE IT'S A PART OF LIFE YOU CANT'T PLEASE EVERYONE BUT MAKE SURE YOU PLEASE YOURSELF.
HEY AMERICA!!!!!! Other than media hype, what is the big deal? The world is in trouble. Oil is wasting on the ocean floor (Marvin Gaye 1971). People are dying and all we can think about is LeBron? The American People are nothing more than sheep, being misguided and herded to the intellectual slaughter house. Like all presidential and other elections, this "LeBron Thing" is never about the players, fans or "little people." Its always about the real rich and powerful eating each other's lunch. The owner of Miami just ate the lunch of the owner of Cleveland. The players or politicians are just the puppets or pawns. End of story!!!!!
Lamar C. Chapman III
Solo Fides (Only by Faith)
Crown-of-Life Recipient 10-24-2004
Sacredotal Ordination July 11, 1991
as far as i am concerned kobe is the king and labrone will never get a ring.
Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are much ado about nothing. They are both instigators and agitators. Neither one picks their battles wisely. LeBron James did everything that was required to fulfill his contract. There was nothing wrong with his bolting from Cleveland for Miami. The problem is the way that he did it. His media people have made LeBron's head bigger than a basketball. Futhermore, there is far too much attention and money funneled into professional sports. What good does it do for the fans other than bragging rights? It does just the opposite of putting money in our pockets. Think again about your priorities before you go spending hundreds of dollars on tickets to go see a game where the participants are paid in the millions of dollars and you don't even know if you have a job.
As a Retired NFL Player who is both a James and Cav's fan, I don't understand all of the anger. The Young man was drafted out of high school because it was obvious that he would become an NBA Force early on in his career.
He was paid well and he played well. He also made a lot on money for business near the arena, none of whom ever sent him a check or made a chatitable donation in his name.
Let's face it. At some point in the future when he became an older player with two bad knees and a step or three slower,
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE PEOPLE OF CLEVELAND ARE ONLY NOW SHOWING THIER TRUE CHARACTER............................NONE
THEY PUT ALL THIER EGGS IN ONE BASKET AND FORGOT THAT BASKETBALL IS A BUSINESS
IF THEY WANTED TO KEEP LABRON THEY SHOULD HAVE BUILD A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM AROUND HIM............BUT THEY EXPECTED HIM TO DO IT ALONE
The thing people are pissed about is he planned this before the season was over and he threw the Boston Series. It was totally obvious he tanked the playoffs so he could leave. He quit on the cavs and Northeast ohio while he was still under contract. As far as i'm concerned good riddance, but he will forever be known as a quitter. His brand is forever tarnished and so is the NBA for letting it happen.
Those of you who call Labron uneducated and other nasty names are just foolish bigots. Labron has given the Cavs seven years to develop a team around him and the management has done a very poor job of doing that. The Cavs have been plagued with the most inconsistent guard play in the playoffs over Labron's tenure with the team, which is the reason for their playoff losses. Labron wants to win a NBA championship and he cannot do it with the Cavs; so he gave himself the best chance to win.
Makes me think of Rob Schnieders line from the Waterboy "Oh noooo we Suck again!" Get over it people its business!
LaBron is a great basketball player, but a POOR Leader!!! He will never have the ring unless someone else wins it for him!!!