The drama and saga of LeBron James, city of Cleveland, and community of South Beach (Miami) has brought to light the natural tension between professional athletes and the cities where they play.\u00a0 While some athletes are more altruistic than others, it is hard to imagine any player who would sign a contract in the range of the average American household income: $46,000.\u00a0 \u00a0In fact, if statistically you are the best player in your sport, it\u2019s hard to imagine signing a salary equivalent to the tenth-best athlete.<\/p>\n

Some cities, particularly the less glamorous ones, ask players to give the \u201chome-town discount,\u201d because that city and the organization has treated the player so well.\u00a0 The \u201chome-town discount\u201d actually does occur from time to time, but it is, without exception,\u00a0 minimal.<\/p>\n

The reaction to LeBron James\u2019 move to South Beach was obviously great joy in Miami.\u00a0 However, for South Floridians, this may be one of those \u201cbe careful for what you wish\u201d scenarios: The Miami Heat just became the most disliked team in the N.B.A.\u00a0 Cleveland has received\u00a0 appropriate support and empathy from the sports media, even political columnists (see Maureen Dowd<\/a>), and fans, particularly those in the Rust Belt.\u00a0 However, this love affair with Cleveland may be short-lived, as the Cavaliers will likely join the ranks of also-ran teams in the league, with no discernible star player.<\/p>\n

King James (as LeBron allows himself to be called) clearly did not act like a prince as Decision-Day came closer.\u00a0 He hyped the suspense and then arranged for ESPN to give him an hour of air time to hype his decision (not a tough sell, since ESPN clearly cashed in on it).\u00a0 Despite Mr. James\u2019 many words of modesty, the message was clear: \u201cIt\u2019s all about me.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, outside the South Beach metropolitan area, LeBron is the one who broke up what was thought to be a strong relationship, while Cleveland stands as the jilted lover.\u00a0 For those who like to view issues as \u201cgood vs. evil,\u201d Cleveland has our support and LeBron our disdain.<\/p>\n

However, the issue may be far more complicated than the way in which much of the media has played it, LeBron has reinforced it, and the public\u2019s desire to see issues in simplistic terms might like.<\/p>\n

If we care to try to get over our anger, we might consider the following, which may put LeBron James\u2019 decision in at least a neutral light:<\/p>\n

In general, sports team owners are model for operating in their own self-interest; often treating players as property.\u00a0 This issue came to a head in 1970, when baseball star Curt Flood objected to being traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Philadelphia Phillies. With the help of players union, he took major league baseball\u2019s reserve clause to court.\u00a0 Unlike most players, Flood passed up the opportunity for a lucrative contract in order stand on principle.\u00a0 He stated:<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter twelve years in the major leagues, I do not feel I am a piece of property to be bought and sold irrespective of my wishes. I believe that any system which produces that result violates my basic rights as a citizen and is inconsistent with the laws of the United States and of the several States.<\/p>\n

It is my desire to play baseball in 1970, and I am capable of playing. I have received a contract offer from the Philadelphia club, but I believe I have the right to consider offers from other clubs before making any decision. I, therefore, request that you make known to all Major League clubs my feelings in this matter, and advise them of my availability for the 1970 season.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A player may be quite comfortable with the city in which he or she has been playing.\u00a0 However, as is the case in every industry, an employee may not like the team’s owners.\u00a0 Perhaps that was the case with LeBron James.\u00a0 Consider what Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert said following James\u2019 decision:<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cAs you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.<\/p>\n

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his “decision” unlike anything ever “witnessed” in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.<\/p>\n

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.<\/p>\n

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.<\/p>\n

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.<\/p>\n

You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.<\/p>\n

You have given so much and deserve so much more.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:<\/p>\n

“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE” You can take it to the bank.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If\u00a0 Gilbert\u2019s words reflect his general management style and respect for those who have served him well, then maybe LeBron James was justified leaving for reasons that had nothing to do with the city of Cleveland.\u00a0 He may have wanted to get away from an ungrateful owner.<\/p>\n

A player may simply want to play for a different team where (a) his closest friend(s) play, or (b) where the strategy that the coach \/manager takes is more consistent with his\/her preferences [e.g. an NFL quarterback who would prefer to play for a \u201cpass-happy\u201d coach]; (c) a player wishes to get away from certain players or \u201cbad elements\u201d associated with the team where he or she has played; (d) a member of the player\u2019s family would strongly prefer to move on.\u00a0 An excellent example of the opposite of this was several years ago when St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Russ Springer chose to stay with St. Louis because he and his wife felt that the best services for his autistic child was at the Judevine Center<\/a> in St. Louis (now called TouchPoint Autism Services).<\/p>\n

LeBron James had every right to take his talents from Cleveland to South Beach.\u00a0\u00a0 I wonder if he has ever heard of Curt Flood, who made this move possible.\u00a0 But perhaps he was being a gentleman by not trashing the Cavaliers\u2019 owner in the way in which Mr. Gilbert castigated him.\u00a0 It\u2019s a complicated situation; it doesn\u2019t feel good; but it\u2019s definitely food for thought.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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