|
|
Post by robertmiqueli on Apr 6, 2011 16:30:46 GMT -5
LeBron James is set to go global by buying a piece of one of the most storied soccer teams in the world. According to The Wall Street Journal, James is set to enter a deal with Fenway Sports Group that would give him a minority stake in the Liverpool F.C., one of the most successful English soccer clubs of all time. Fenway, which also owns the Boston Red Sox, would in turn become James' exclusive world-wide marketing representative.
The idea of celebrity minority owner isn't something unknown to the Miami area. Everyone from Black Eye Peas singer Fergie to the Williams sisters have a small ownership stake in the Miami Dolphins. Though WSJ points out that, "the deal marks the first time that a professional athlete at the top of his game has taken an ownership interest in a team with the size and reach of Liverpool."
Though many think that James marketability has taken a hit since his decision to ditch the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat, Fenway thinks his potential power is profitable enough to enlist him as the first individual athlete to be represented by their marketing firm. The fact that Fenway has no experience in individual marketing carries some risk, but those are offset by the ownership stake he takes in Liverpool.
James says he looks forward to donning the red Liverpool jersey and is "humbled" by the deal.
|
|
|
|
Post by FUNK_US/BRODUS on Apr 6, 2011 16:48:33 GMT -5
Shame this didnt happen earlier. Torres couldve used his help for commercials.
"What should I do? Please, tell me. Im on 6 figures a week and I cant figure out what to do on the pitch."
|
|
|
|
Post by Andrew is Good on Apr 6, 2011 19:07:03 GMT -5
Since he's gonna have a part of it, looks like he'll never walk alone.
|
|
|
|
Post by ScottishProWrestling on Apr 6, 2011 19:08:02 GMT -5
Thing is, pretty much none of the Liverpool fans will have any idea who the guy is.
|
|
BRV
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Wants him some Taco Flavored Kisses.
Posts: 16,968
|
Post by BRV on Apr 6, 2011 19:26:51 GMT -5
NESN (the New England Sports Network), the Boston Globe and all the other Red Sox toadies locally are praising this as a proverbial "burying of the hatchet" between Bostonians and LeBron James.
Let me tell you something, even die-hard soccer fans in New England could give two s***s that the Fenway Sports Group owns Liverpool. It's not like Liverpool just became a "wicked populah" team around the area. People who liked Liverpool before the deal still like them, and people who didn't before the deal still don't. There isn't a new legion of Liverpool fans in the Boston area, despite the best efforts of NESN to push Liverpool as "our team".
As for this deal being the end of the rivalry between Boston fans and LeBron James, let's just see how Celtics fans react if and when LeBron and the Heat travel to the TD Garden in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. I can guarantee that no matter how hard NESN or the Globe pushes it, he will still get lustily booed, regardless of his new deal with FSG.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cyno on Apr 6, 2011 20:02:25 GMT -5
Does this mean LeBron's going to take his talents to Anfield?
|
|
The Ichi
Patti Mayonnaise
AGGRESSIVE Executive Janitor of the Third Floor Manager's Bathroom
Posts: 37,302 
|
Post by The Ichi on Apr 6, 2011 20:11:05 GMT -5
Rich people are seriously weird.
|
|
Push R Truth
Patti Mayonnaise
Unique and Special Snowflake, and a pants-less heathen.
Perpetually Constipated
Posts: 39,293
|
Post by Push R Truth on Apr 6, 2011 20:13:09 GMT -5
Rich people are seriously weird. So is everybody, what's your point? |
|
|
|
Post by RI Richmark on Apr 6, 2011 21:18:41 GMT -5
Rich people are seriously weird. So is everybody, what's your point? Actually, middle class people are weird. Rich people are eccentric and poor people are crazy. |
|
|
|
Post by normcoleman on Apr 6, 2011 21:30:38 GMT -5
NESN (the New England Sports Network), the Boston Globe and all the other Red Sox toadies locally are praising this as a proverbial "burying of the hatchet" between Bostonians and LeBron James. Let me tell you something, even die-hard soccer fans in New England could give two s***s that the Fenway Sports Group owns Liverpool. It's not like Liverpool just became a "wicked populah" team around the area. People who liked Liverpool before the deal still like them, and people who didn't before the deal still don't. There isn't a new legion of Liverpool fans in the Boston area, despite the best efforts of NESN to push Liverpool as "our team". As for this deal being the end of the rivalry between Boston fans and LeBron James, let's just see how Celtics fans react if and when LeBron and the Heat travel to the TD Garden in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. I can guarantee that no matter how hard NESN or the Globe pushes it, he will still get lustily booed, regardless of his new deal with FSG. I'd imagine Celtic or Rangers being the team of choice in Boston. As for the Heat, they'd get the Knicks in the first round, NOT an easy matchup for them. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2011 22:00:49 GMT -5
So is everybody, what's your point? Actually, middle class people are weird. Rich people are eccentric and poor people are crazy. I'm not a sig-quoter kind of guy, but if I ever wanted something, there it is. |
|
