详解詹姆斯所创造的巨大价值
LeBron James didn't officially become a Los Angeles Laker until July 9, 2018, but his connection with the City of Angels began long before putting his signature on a four-year, $153.3 million contract. Whether it was through his offseason home, pickup games or his many off-court ventures, King James has the entertainment capital of the world serve as the capital for his personal global empire. When LeBron James and his friends and business partners first struck out on their own, forming LRMR in 2006, they wanted to get into the marketing business. Their initial venture didn't go well, but it informed subsequent ventures including media platforms SpringHill and Uninterrupted. Their attempts to expand James' endorsement opportunities also led to lucrative nontraditional marketing partnerships, in which James not only endorsed the product but had a stake in the business. James' partnership investment in Beats by Dre netted him $30 million when the company was bought by Apple, and he gave up his McDonald's endorsement to become the face of Blaze Pizza, a business he has invested in that is now one of the fastest-growing restaurants in America. Having signed a billion-dollar, lifetime deal, LeBron James was going to be a big part of Nike's plans, regardless of where he played. But not long after his signing with the Lakers, Nike quickly put up billboards steps away from Staples Center — a vertical portrait of James in the Lakers' home uniform towered over 30 floors, and an iconic tomahawk dunk image from his 2003 rookie debut overtook the entire width of the JW Marriott building. James' presence already has put A-listers such as Denzel Washington, Will Ferrell, Kate Beckinsale and Jeffrey Katzenberg back into the courtside seats at Staples Center. What happens if those side conversations with the famous fans during inbounds plays lead to cameo appearances in films? Will the hottest ticket in the NBA — costs for Lakers home games are up 20 percent over last season on the resale market, and Lakers road games cost 19 percent more than that of any other NBA team — become even hotter? And what happens if — as James prioritized — he takes the Lakers back to the promised land? Will a championship feel as if it counts for even more? According to SocialBlade.com, James — already the most-followed American athlete on social media — picks up about 20,000 new Instagram followers a day. It's doubtful he'll suddenly change his approach as new people come on board. A post that could be seen as an #ad — showing off his Nikes or his latest Beats by Dre billboard. With his various business and media interests in the city, James has made Los Angeles far more than just his basketball home court. Although he might never be as beloved among Lakers fans as legends like Magic Johnson or Kobe Bryant, he has set himself up for the opportunity to be bigger than them — or any basketball player — on a worldwide scale. |