Yet despite this dream scenario of excellent play and massive media attention, James' products and popularity aren't soaring as expected.
"His Nike shoe and apparel sales have been just average, which means not very good," said Matt Powell, an analyst at SportsOne Source, which tracks sporting goods sales. "It is the same for jersey sales."
The NBA does not release actual numbers, but in its most recent rankings James is just third worldwide in replica jersey sales. In Europe, he ranks fourth. In China -- where James and Nike have focused their efforts with specialized campaigns, including games or promotional tours in each of the past four years -- James ranks fifth. The Celtics' Kevin Garnett and the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant rank ahead of him in each list.
After making him the centerpiece of their ad campaigns in his first two years in the NBA, Nike has noticeably cut back on commercials featuring James over the past several years. Coca-Cola has dropped him from their higher profile Sprite ads and put him in more niche ads for Vitaminwater.
Analysts have been surprised that Microsoft, which inked a deal with James to promote their MSN Internet product a little more than 18 months ago, hasn't activated its relationship with James other than on a Web site devoted to children.
King without a crown
#1
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- 2,959 posts
Call Me Mr. Clutch or Mr. Automatic
- Joined: Jul 24, 2008
- Location:San Gabriel, California
- Fan Since:I was born in '91
- Fav. Laker:Kobe, Magic, Lamar
Posted October 27, 2008 - 09:40 PM
#2
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- 9,759 posts
Flying high
- Joined: Jul 29, 2008
- Location:España
- Name:Alexi
- Fav. Laker:Kobe
Posted October 28, 2008 - 07:05 AM
#3
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- 8,062 posts
Analyst, Moderator, Insomniac
- Joined: Aug 01, 2008
- Location:Costa Mesa, CA
- Name:Andy
- Fan Since:1982
- Fav. Laker:Magic Johnson
Posted October 28, 2008 - 09:21 AM
Until he wins something of significance (in the NBA) his merch won't get moving again.
#4
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- 12,134 posts
Pump Up The Fruit
- Joined: Jul 25, 2008
- Location:San Daygo
- Name:Jerry
- Fan Since:Forever
- Fav. Laker:コービーブライアント
Posted October 28, 2008 - 02:12 PM
Team Farmar
United we stand. Divided we fall.
#5
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- 119 posts
Mr. Swagga Man
- Joined: Oct 15, 2008
- Location:Coachella Valley, California
- Fav. Laker:Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant
Posted October 28, 2008 - 02:52 PM
#6
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- 9,625 posts
16 Time NBA Champions Los Angeles Lakers!
- Joined: Jul 29, 2008
- Location:Covina, CA
- Fan Since:1989
- Fav. Laker:Magic, Kobe and Ron Artest
Posted October 28, 2008 - 03:25 PM
He needs to be in a title contender team.
Or sign with the big market team to get his market value up again. Like sign with either New York, Chicago, Warriors or *cough* Lakers *cough*. Boston is one of those big market teams but I don't wanna see LBJ sign with them. I like LeBron. He's a great player. I would hate to see LeBron sign with the Celtics.
Signatures may contain an image, but may not be any larger than 468x140.
#7
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- 34,871 posts
Jesus Fan
- Joined: Jul 24, 2008
- Location:Irvine
- Fav. Laker:Kobe Bryant
Posted October 28, 2008 - 03:51 PM
Props to fkMikeBrown
#8
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- 2,805 posts
Sixth Man
- Joined: Jul 30, 2008
- Location:So Cal
- Fav. Laker:Kobe and Fish.
Posted October 28, 2008 - 03:57 PM
He needs to leave Cleveland. Odom + Walton + Farmar + picks. DO IT MITCH!
i wish lol.
2010 NBA CHAMPIONS = LOS ANGELES LAKERS
#9
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- 9,759 posts
Flying high
- Joined: Jul 29, 2008
- Location:España
- Name:Alexi
- Fav. Laker:Kobe
Posted October 29, 2008 - 12:05 AM
i still don't know what he's the King of?
Burger King? :lol:
#10
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- 5,534 posts
Come as you are
- Joined: Jul 25, 2008
- Location:Oh well, whatever, nevermind
Posted October 29, 2008 - 01:50 AM
He needs to leave Cleveland. Odom + Walton + Farmar + picks. DO IT MITCH!
That wouldn't be fair.
Add Vlad.
#11
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- 5,534 posts
Come as you are
- Joined: Jul 25, 2008
- Location:Oh well, whatever, nevermind
Posted October 29, 2008 - 01:52 AM
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