University of Miami to Wear LeBron James-Branded Nike Gear

According to the Sun-Sentinel and its sources, the University of Miami will become the latest school to rock LBJ/Nike-branded stuff on the court (joining Ohio State and Kentucky): “UM players were told the news by Coach Jim Larranaga on Thursday … [LeBron] James, who has been active in promoting his brand, follows in the footsteps of Michael Jordan, whose Jordan Brand is the official equipment supplier of his alma mater, North Carolina. James has no direct ties to any of the three schools he’ll be sponsoring, but the Akron, Ohio native is known as an Ohio State fan. And he built a relationship with UM when he and some Heat teammates played pick-up games with Hurricanes players on campus last summer. Larranaga also is familiar with James’ representative, Maverick Carter. Soon after Larranaga left George Mason this spring to become UM’s coach, he tweeted about a meeting he had with Carter and former GMU player Darren Tarver, with whom Carter is friends. James’ sponsorship and support of the Hurricanes should generate interest in a program that has continually lacked fan support.”