Topic: Is LeBron James going to be the next Art Modell?

[seabiscuit]

armymom

I'd hate for anyone to judge my life based on what I did when I was 25.      I lived my life to ski!   

[armymom]

armymom

I'd hate for anyone to judge my life based on what I did when I was 25.      I lived my life to ski!   

Were you paid millions to do that? Did you have a franchise that allowed you to earn money off of every souvenir, shirt,? I said I agree, he can go wherever he wants, but he should expect to here some bitching by those who actually supported him by their following. They paid for tickets to see him play, they bought his shirts, they were loyal to him. Was he to them?

[belushi]

I am sure he was emotionally torn between living in Akron or Miami Beach Florida.....of course, the fact that Florida has no income tax and Ohio soaks him for millions each year, played no role in his decision, I am sure.....

[armymom]

I am sure he was emotionally torn between living in Akron or Miami Beach Florida.....of course, the fact that Florida has no income tax and Ohio soaks him for millions each year, played no role in his decision, I am sure.....

That was the first thing I thought of when I voted "Miami". They keep making hay out of the fact he took a lower salary, well not when you factor in the taxes, he probably got a pay raise! Still, for those who can't understand why his Cleveland fans are upset, clearly aren't thinking about what they consider they had "vested" in him. He made a lot of money, but not without his fans who bought his image, hook line and sinker. He can go wherever he wants, but he has to expect that there were hard feelings caused over the way he did it.

[gunslinger]

I don't believe any city has suffered the sporting heartaches that Cleveland has.  LeBron whom was beloved in Ohio, knew and understood the significance of his resigning, and yet his chose to stab Cleveland as other athletes (Thome, Manny, Belle) did in the past. It was especially callous to do it in on ESPN. Imagine having your g/f dump on live TV.........real classy.

Luckily I hate the NBA, but I feel for those Cleveland fans who don't.  This is like having the drive, the fumble and the move all wrapped up into one. I wish the Cavs all the luck in the world, and I hope LeBron flops like a fish outta water.

[belushi]

Maybe Cleveland should change its name to " California ".....the people would want to live there.....

[gunslinger]

Maybe Cleveland should change its name to " California ".....the people would want to live there.....

Ya know,  I really don't know why big time athletes flee Cleveland.  Yea, it's a small market, but they have top notch facilities and arguably the best fans in the country.

[seabiscuit]

gun

I'll take a stab at that.  Owners of sports teams in Ohio, and even moreso in Cleveland, don't put money into putting the best team on the field.  They expect a few players to do it for them.  After a while, that takes its tole.  Even great players don't want that kind of pressure and expectations on them all the time.

You can see that trend just by looking at the Indians.  Heck you could make an All-Star team out of the guys they've traded away.  Just about the time you have the kind of team you need to make a real run at it, you trade 'um away.  I think Cinci is beginning to wake up and redefine how they are putting their teams together.   The Bengals have been improving and the Reds are having a great season.

Sometimes I think that Ohioans have a Push Me/Pull You fan relationship with their sports teams (except the Buckeyes, of course  )   They love to hate the players they love.  Hopefully that makes sense.

[gunslinger]

Possibly, but this does not apply to the Cavs.  Dan Gilbert is considered one of the better owners in the NBA and isn't afraid to spend money. Since he took control of the Cavs, he has built a new practice facility and had Quicken Loans Arena redone.  He also gave his GM the green light to make any deal that would make the Cavs a better team, and he has paid a penalty luxury tax nearly every year for exceeding the salary cap.  In short he did everything he could to keep LeBron in Cleveland. 

[gunslinger]

As for MLB, no small market team will ever be able to consistently field a winner until a true salary cap or revenue sharing plan is instituted. As for now, a team such as Cleveland cannot compete with the large revenue teams such as New York or Boston, unless the owner is willing to take on a huge loss every year. As for now, a small market team may occasionally experience a year or two of success, but as their younger players hit their free agency years, only the larger market teams can afford them.  Thus teams like the Indians and the Reds are destined to be farm teams, unless the current system is eventually changed.

[belushi]

I hear what you are saying...however....in the past 10 years, 15 teams have played in the world series....half of all teams....including Tampa and the Florida Marlins.....two ultra-low budget teams.....

[gunslinger]

.including Tampa and the Florida Marlins.....two ultra-low budget teams.....

Yes, but as small market teams, their window of opportunity closes almost as quickly as it opened, as they continually have to have allow their free agents to leave in order to maintain a viable payroll.

The Yankees have a payroll for 2010 of $213,359,389 the highest in the majors. Last was the San Diego Padres at $37,799,300.  Something is really wrong here.
 

[belushi]

The Yankees have 54 wins and lead their division by 2 games...San Diego has 50 wins and lead their division by 3 games

[phred]

armymom

I'd hate for anyone to judge my life based on what I did when I was 25. 

    I lived my life to ski!   

         There is no doubt here.   

      If there ever comes a day where we are super-rich
      and carefree...........

      we'll have to collect up a bunch of our MVOhio folks
      and go spend a week or two in that beautiful, beautiful
      spot of heaven-on-earth where you lived !

      And, of course, I'll volunteer to take care of the
      wine-sipping in the ski lodge.


                                   

 
     

[phred]

    I do feel badly for the Cleveland fans, but that's it.
    (The men here are pissed.)

    I guess I have become so accustomed to losing the
    bright and talented on our OSU basketball team to the
    pro's -
    and Matta just moves on. 

    Sometimes, Matta has the talented youngin' shaped
    up so skillfully during the first year at OSU that the
    kid moves on to the pro's at the moment the rules
    for that are met.  It's disappointing, but that's it.