NBA second-half stories: COVID-19 and competitive balance
SportsPulse: As we move into the second half of the NBA season, USA TODAY Sports’ Mark Media shares three main stories that will dominate the preparation for the playoffs.
USA TODAY
LeBron James does not want the NBA history books to simply capture how many championships he has won, how many points he has scored or how many assists he has made. The Los Angeles Lakers star also has aspirations to lift NBA trophies without forcing him to play.
“My goal is to have an NBA franchise,” said James on Tuesday after the Lakers’ victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Staples Center. “It will be sooner or later.”
James is under contract with the Lakers during the 2022-23 season, when he will turn 38. But he said he would like to stay in the NBA long enough to play with his son, Bronny, who is currently at Sierra Canyon High School in LA. Still, James has a clear vision of his next career choice whenever he decides to stop tying. your sneakers. He wants to supervise an NBA team while wearing a suit.
“I have a lot to give the game. I know what it takes to win at this level, ”said James. “I know talent. I also know how to run a business. “
OPINION: LeBron James joining the Red Sox is great news for the MLB
Thus, James and his longtime business partner, Maverick Carter, became members of Fenway Sports Group, owner of Boston Red Sox, Liverpool FC of the English Premier League, Roush Fenway Racing, NESN regional sports network, Fenway Sports Management and FSG Real Estate. Before that deal, James had a small stake in Liverpool FC.
In addition to business relationships with Nike, Springhill Entertainment, Blaze Pizza, AT&T and Pepsi, James also oversaw the I Promise School. This program started in 2018 as a partnership with the James Foundation and Akron public schools to help young people at risk with education and financial resources.
“It is great to be with such a good group with the FSG. They have done so many good things over the years. Just that collective group of people, they are just incredible to be partners with, ”said James. “As far as Red Sox is concerned, obviously a historic franchise. We know the history of the World Series championships that they brought home in Boston and the players that went there and the legacy that they have in that area.
“I think for me and my partner, Maverick, to be the first two black men to be part of this ownership group and the history of this franchise, I think it’s really cool.”
Part of the reason: James recognized the potential long-term impact.
“It gives me and the people who look like me hope and inspiration that they can be in a position like this as well and that it can be done,” said James. “It also gives my kids at I Promise School more and more inspiration. But it is a great day for me, for my family and my school and for my business partner, Maverick Carter, and everyone who has something to do with our group. But it is an amazing thing to be able to build my portfolio from the ground in a beautiful game like baseball. “
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