guncurug

LeBron james is going global by going to Boston.  LRMR Marketing, his and Maverick Carter's marketing company is forming a partnership with Fenway Sports Management, a subsidiary of Fenway Sports Group, the holding company formed by John Henry and Tom Werner that owns the Boston Red Sox, the regional cable television channel NESN, 50% of Fenway Roush Racing, a NASCAR racing team and the iconic English Premier League club Liverpool FC.

The Partnership will be the exclusive means through which LeBron conducts his marketing and endorsement activities worldwide.  In a statement announcing the partnership, Maverick Carter had this to say about his and LeBron's rationale for entering the agreement:

"Tom and John have created an innovative company that owns some of the greatest clubs and biggest brands in all of sports," said Maverick Carter, CEO of LRMR.  "Like LRMR, it is a fast-growing organization with incredible energy and passion for what they're doing. This partnership will allow us to dramatically expand our reach and opportunities, not only in the U.S. but in markets around the world." 


In addition to the marketing and endorsement arrangements, LeBron  and Carter will acquire a ten percent in Liverpool.  Expect to see some interesting global marketing promotions involving James and Liverpool together.  Undoubtedly, a major focus of the partnershipi will be China.  LeBron has been very active there leading up to and following the Beijing Olympics and I'm confident that Henry and Werner would love to see Liverpool colors all over the country.  After all, Liverpool's jerseys are red.  It is one area 

A few inks to get Tuesday off to a good start:

If you're interested in the phenomena that is Woldwide Wes, William Wesley, thought by many to be the key to the next location of LeBron James, go read this post. For years, Wes has operated in college and NBA circles as the man with the largest rolodex in basketball, but without any apparent source of income from it.  He has now received his agency credentials from the NBA and, according to the post above, is now negotiating with Creative Artists Agency, the best and perhaps the most powerful agency in the entertainment industry, to join them as an agent.

I don't usually do two linkfests in one week, but I have a number of stories that are worth reading or just shaking your head at, and wanted to get them out there:

As NBA ownership officially goes internationally, a look at why Bruce Ratner failed so miserably as the owner of the Newark/Brooklyn Nets (WSJ)

Who is going to win, and profit from, the World Cup (FT Alphaville via Abnormal Returns)

The details on Anheuser-Busch's big bet on the NFL, which we reported earlier (SBJ)

New York Magazine's cover story on why LeBron should become a Knick; (my take:he should stay with the Cavs provided they go out and find him a team to play with - also a problem with NY) (NY Mag)

Texas high school basketball player arrested for impersonating a high school player - since he was 22 and had used up his eligibility in Florida - school was Permian of Friday Night Lights fame (Dallas News)

Do soccer players and goalies act rationally in playing penalty kicks? (Cognition and Culture)

How stock traders are like callers to sports talk radio (Chris Perruna via Abnormal Returns)

Wilpon family and Mets look to add soccer, Islanders and arena to Flushing  (NYT) 

Super Saver, the Preakness morning line favorite at 5-2, draws post position 8, right next to main rival Luckin' at Lucky, who is at 3-1 and is in post position 7 (Baltimore Sun)