Analysts: LeBron’s Marketing Is Stalling

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• mat smith Posted: Oct.26 at 10:49 am
  everyones “Marketing Is Stalling” because nobody has any spare cash, Im sure this doesnt just applies to the King.

• James aka the artist formerly known as Krayzie Bone Posted: Oct.26 at 10:49 am
  And thus the rumours of a move to NY will restart

• underdog Posted: Oct.26 at 10:52 am
  It’s not Jordan brand. Sorry.

• James aka the artist formerly known as Krayzie Bone Posted: Oct.26 at 10:53 am
  Like many news stories, only opinions, not facts were gathered, making evaluation of the claim impossible for the lay reader.

• Simon S.Y Lawy Posted: Oct.26 at 11:02 am
  he ain’t king…, if he’s IS king, then kobe’s GOAT. well he just a regular human.

• KobeWearsPurplePanties Posted: Oct.26 at 11:12 am
  Lebron’s and CP3′s shoes are just not appealing. They are both bulky and have no ventilation. Nike also has a habit of making shoes w/colorways that don’t match with anything.

• KobeWearsPurplePanties Posted: Oct.26 at 11:14 am
  Paul Pierce has a nice shoe this year, but for some reason Nike only makes it in kids’ sizes.

• peteb80 Posted: Oct.26 at 11:18 am
  I feel kinda stupid saying this, but I think there’s some truth in there: LeBron is just a bit too ugly. Jordan, Kobe and Tiger Woods are better looking, or so says my girlfriend.

• MENDEL Posted: Oct.26 at 11:29 am
  James his been overblown for so long, it appears it has not been for his own good. People like stars that becames stars and not manufactured. Besides that all his shoes and appearal have been garbage anyway.

• Candice Posted: Oct.26 at 11:35 am
  I just don’t see anyone wearing Lebron apparel or shoes. Jordan still rules in that department.

• Orlando Green Posted: Oct.26 at 11:52 am
  Lebron is a power player. In basketball power players have never been great as far as selling product. + I agree with what was said before about him being ugly
  + The USA’s horrible market situation caused by, Bush, a horrible banking network and greedy people doesn’t help.

• CP34MVP Posted: Oct.26 at 1:05 pm
  Why people Claim Lebron’s Market is stalling is because of thy economy thus no body has no money 2 spend withing the wide variety that KIng JAmes has. THus 4 Lebrons Market Stalls by thy Economy

• Jake Posted: Oct.26 at 1:13 pm
  There’s one reason his clothes and shoes arent selling…They’re ugly.They aren’t very original looking either and they dont have enough colorways.The great thing about Jordans is that each kind come in about 10 different colors,so alot of times people will buy more than one pair at a time so they have stuff to match different clothes.

• damascus Posted: Oct.26 at 1:17 pm
  yeah somebody is right kobe and tiger bring that sex appeal to the women..no homo!.. but they do.. lebron doesnt.. he looks 40..lol.. but what does that have to do with selling shoes thou… all i know kobe shoes sales more than lebron.. look it up…kobe is the most popular player in the world.. he is a global icon… come on kobe had the num 1. jersey in the U.S,china,and europe..that speaks volume..real talk..kobe is going to take over the world by winning championships..u can stamp that..garanteed..and when that happens..sponsors and companies are going to be drooling for kobe..watch yall will see

• James the balla Posted: Oct.26 at 1:21 pm
  His shoes are garbage. He should make a paur called LeBricks! ANDDD maybe, if people would understand the economy and that all off Lebrons and Kobes and Melos and Jordans fans are not rich. They would drop the price. I know i will NEVER buy a pair of Bricks, i mean Brons for more than 30 dollars!! And he sells them for over 100!!!

• James the balla Posted: Oct.26 at 1:22 pm
  Hey everyone go to http://www.nba.com lol. Check the Greg Oden picture on the homepage!! He looks 78 years old … he has more wrickles when he smiles than a bull dogs a$$!!

• James the balla Posted: Oct.26 at 1:23 pm
  co-sign mascus!!

• WhaHuh Posted: Oct.26 at 1:31 pm
  FACT- KG wouldnt have the #2 selling shirt if he didnt play for the celtics. Team is important in shirt selling as well

• Anton Posted: Oct.26 at 1:39 pm
  I’m doing my part, bought a Bron jacket the other day.
  @damascus – lol you’re acting like Kob’s an up-and-coming player

• Holy Baller Posted: Oct.26 at 1:49 pm
  Man idk why you guys are hating on LeBron’s stuff. I love his shoes, they aren’t good for basketball because they are too heavy but they are good everyday shoes. And his jersey is or was the number 2 selling jersey in the NBA behind Kobe. So I just don’t see what the hate is about. My local basketball team just bought team shoes, and they were the newest LeBrons.

• Ryan Jones Posted: Oct.26 at 1:52 pm
  His jinx power is still strong, though. I’d like to think Bron for picking his Buckeyes over my Nittany Lions on College Gameday yesterday. Every little bit helps.

• Ryan Jones Posted: Oct.26 at 1:52 pm
  Actually, I’d like to “thank” him. Stupid.

• starbury&stevey Posted: Oct.26 at 2:13 pm
  who´s Nick Mickelson??

• Melo&JR2daRaptors Posted: Oct.26 at 2:19 pm
  first of all, his last two shoes have been very un memorable
  2nd, he never wears his signature shoes, hes always wearin those ugly ass soldiers
  if he wants to sell, he needs to b wearing what hes sellin

• Wendy Posted: Oct.26 at 2:20 pm
  Shoes are ugly, that’s why. Air Jordans are beautiful, although the latest ones not so much. Good product = good sales. Old school economics.

• King David Posted: Oct.26 at 2:57 pm
  Jordan all day

• Aaron Posted: Oct.26 at 3:10 pm
  Two things to point out, in LeBron’s defense. First of all, no player in the NBA is selling a large amount of shoes. The market as well as the design of today’s shoes have a lot to do with this. I’d say that even with his reduced sales in shoes, that LeBron still ranks as the highest seller in the NBA. Secondly, jersey sale statistics don’t tell the entire story. Rookies, as well as traded players are bound to have higher jersey sales because it’s the consumers first chance to purchase their product. And ranking third isn’t all that bad considering that the two ahead him have relatively new jerseys (KG- Celtics, and Kobe #24). You don’t think LeBron was among the highest sellers during his first 2-3 seasons? Why would his jersey sales remain high, when most consumers purchased his jersey 2-3 years ago?

• Anton Posted: Oct.26 at 4:04 pm
  because he is the chosen one

• Adam Posted: Oct.26 at 5:11 pm
  I think a lot of people just see lebron as “lebron”..we’ve all had his fabricated image shoved down our throats for atleast 5 yrs now and really he hasn’t changed, refined, or redefined himself in much of any way since he entered the league…people like to see someone growing with time and I don’t see that a lot out of him…same dude

• youngmuggsy Posted: Oct.26 at 5:35 pm
  It’s not Lebrons fault, he doesn’t design his shoes.

• BETCATS Posted: Oct.26 at 6:00 pm
  i think Ryan should be the only one aloud to comment on Lebron artciles

• Sesa Posted: Oct.26 at 6:08 pm
  Having Kids outside a marriage also doesn’t help

• BETCATS Posted: Oct.26 at 6:23 pm
  and Ryan should be the only one commenting on articles too, damm i didnt cath that mistake

• LA Huey Posted: Oct.26 at 6:37 pm
  @ Sesa. I don’t think children out of wedlock are a big issue. I mean, I think what Kobe admitted to is a little worse in the minds of the public.

• LA Huey Posted: Oct.26 at 6:48 pm
  And about his shoes. I’ll admit that I have a pair of black Zoom Soldiers but I wear them more like boots. I can’t wear them for hoops when I measure in at 6-1, 230. If Nike made a lighter, sleeker version of LBJs, I could cop and hit the court with LBJs… Also, like a SLAM article from a few months back noted, LeBron needs to wear his sig shoes THROUGHOUT the playoffs

• doyouwantmore Posted: Oct.26 at 7:10 pm
  Micheal Jordan became the marketing example that he is by first becoming a winner. He was also humble once upon a time and that made his winning and commercials kind of cool. The very fact that Lebron James became a superstar and has become this global icon without ever winning ANYTHING is why I just don’t like the guy. If my team could get him I’d be so hyped but as a person and as an icon. Umm…no thanks. I’d rather buy a Duncan or Wade jersey because I like underdogs and working-class heroes not players who refer to themselves IN THE THIRD PERSON and have been groomed for a championship as if it’s an inevitability.

• doyouwantmore Posted: Oct.26 at 7:11 pm
  Which it is but still… “They’re just tryin’ to hurt Lebron James.” - Lebron James

• Anton Posted: Oct.26 at 7:17 pm
  I don’t want more

• slamfan4life Posted: Oct.26 at 7:19 pm
  oh ohhhh, well its not like hes not gonna get another 90+ mil contract from Nike again so its all good

• Holy Baller Posted: Oct.26 at 7:23 pm
  Adam: LeBron has gotten better. Just look at his stats and what he has accomplished. The first year in Cleveland he had competent players around him but they still missed the playoffs. Since then his team has sucked and he’s dragged them all the way to the Finals. He’s better defensively, smarter offensively, and a better all-around player than he was when he entered the league.

• Hursty Posted: Oct.26 at 7:23 pm
  Maybe its just that the shoes just dont look very nice compared with, say…the Hyperdunks?

• ericmontross Posted: Oct.26 at 7:54 pm
  There are alot of problems with Lebron’s product line. The most glaring is a lack of marketing. I remember a ton of old nike commercials and add campaigns I can’t remember many as of late (sans Hyperdunk print adds) Second, the shoe market is saturated with more signature shoes than ever he competes with Kobe, Wade, Carmelo,and a slew of others for market share and spotlight. Third, he is in a bad market. Cleveland isn’t Chicago, or L.A. or New York. Finally, his shoes aren’t inovative Nike should try to develop a new cushioning system or other technology and have him be the face of that technology. Like VC was for Shox ect..

• Melo&JR2daRaptors Posted: Oct.26 at 8:18 pm
  cosign LA huey, he needs to wear the signature joints in big games or they just wont be memorable
  @ doyouwantmore: MJ was popular well before he started winning championships

• Aaron Posted: Oct.26 at 8:19 pm
  For the people saying Jordan was a global icon and marketing machine because he had “won something” are totally wrong. Jordan was on Air Jordan VI before he “won something,” and was considered the most marketble sports figure well before that time.

• karma Posted: Oct.26 at 9:14 pm
  Micheal Jordan became the marketing example that he is by first becoming a winner. He was also humble once upon a time and that made his winning and commercials kind of cool. The very fact that Lebron James became a superstar and has become this global icon without ever winning ANYTHING is why I just don’t like the guy. If my team could get him I’d be so hyped but as a person and as an icon. Umm…no thanks. I’d rather buy a Duncan or Wade jersey because I like underdogs and working-class heroes not players who refer to themselves IN THE THIRD PERSON and have been groomed for a championship as if it’s an inevitability.

• Anton Posted: Oct.26 at 9:27 pm
  If winning = sales, then why isn’t the Tim Duncan jersey flying off the shelves?

• Niio Posted: Oct.26 at 11:02 pm
  I would have to agree that his shoes aren’t the best looking and tend to be heavy. His foamposites are real heavy but I started wearing them over the 5 because they are a lot more comfortable. If he made more shoes design-wise like the Lebron 3 then I think he would have better sales. As far as his clothing line, I don’t like the designs at all. For some reason there always has to have a big thick stripe across the chest all the time, so it makes all of the jerseys look the same. Does anyone know what I’m talking about?

• Anton Posted: Oct.26 at 11:17 pm
  ^that’s for the basketball jerseys.
  To be fair, most baller clothing lines are identical in terms of apparel. You have the standard Nike outlay, logo in the corner(Swoosh,Jumpman,LJ23, whatever that Kobe triangle is), and maybe a bit of designs on the arms with matching pants. It’s really not extraordinary, and they’re relying that the consumers will purchase it not because it’s an amazing tracksuit but because of the name.
  Granted, people buy T’s because they do look good, but when it comes to most other items, it’s all about the name. (would you buy a Jordan jacket with no Jumpman logo on it?)

• chintao Posted: Oct.26 at 11:46 pm
  LeBron plays in Cleveland. Even if Jordan played in Cleveland, I’m sure his jersey sales would be hurt. Also, I found this phrase in the article to be particularly amusing, “… especially for the exploding basketball audience in coveted China.” I’m sure that Cheney is at this very moment trying to map a connection between Chinese-made basketballs (and the people who watch them) and al-Qaeda. Misplaced modifiers are a b!tch.

• Omar Aberilla Posted: Oct.27 at 1:28 am
  LeBron is not MJ period.

• chintao Posted: Oct.27 at 2:25 am
  Who is MJ? I hate that guy, but who can deny that he changed the game? LeBron’s not done yet, but it does not look at this point like he will have any more impact than Kobe. They’re good players, but not paradigm shifters.

• wiz Posted: Oct.27 at 10:50 am
  jus retro back the first lebrons and im sure that will make some money they were so comfortable to hoop id get 3 pair

• Mark Posted: Oct.27 at 11:15 am
  Why is everyone always hating on that Cleveland team ? It is the ideal team for Lebron’s game. Maximizes his touches with players who fill their roles. He has the rebounder – the big low post presence — shooters and hustle guys.

• Rich Posted: Oct.27 at 12:15 pm
  Once LeBron wins that title, things will change. But like a lot of people have said, he’s in a bad market. He put Cleveland on the basketball map. Being from Chicago, in the 90′s, Cleveland was known for the team Jordan torched all the time. And like others also have said, the market is a mess. But the 6′s pretty good. And plus, people EXPECT TOO MUCH FROM HIM. He averages 30, 8, 7. I mean, what else you want from the dude?!?!?!

• Irv from the BX Posted: Oct.27 at 2:23 pm
  As far as NYCity goes rarely do people wear jerseys or new bball kicks unless it is a retro of old ones

• Ty Posted: Oct.27 at 3:08 pm
  There just will never be another MJ. Lebron doesn’t have that humble quality ( as stated above)that endeared us to Jordan 20 years ago. The first Jordan poster, the Spike Lee commercials, Tinker Hatfield, etc. It seems Nike does not know what to do with him from a marketing standpoint. I never see anyone wearing anything Lebron. Jersey,shoes,hat…nothing.

• Sean Posted: Oct.28 at 1:07 am
  I KNOW WHY BECAUSE HE IS WAY TOO OVERATED I GIVE HIM RESPECT BUT YA”LL HAVE TO REMEMBER AS LONG AS JORDANS, MELOS, N KOBES ARE BEING SOLD HIS SHOES AINT GOING TO SELL THAT MUCH AND ON TOP OF THAT HE HAS LIKE TWO OUT SIX SHOES THAT ARE HOTT HIS LATEST ONE IS TRASH THEY LOOK LIKE BOOTS

• KA Posted: Oct.28 at 1:12 am
  not surprised. lets just say his on court achievements excel his branding, which is not entirely a bad thing actually. for once reality > hype

• Joe_6Pack Posted: Oct.28 at 1:23 am
  @ KA : I don’t understand what you mean by your statement about hype?

• chintao Posted: Oct.28 at 2:57 am
  @ Ty ==> Jordan also doesn’t have tha humble quality. After he won his first Chip he turned into an egomaniac.

• chintao Posted: Oct.28 at 3:11 am
  @ Mark ==> I’m not knocking the organization, but it’s pretty tough to market anything with the word “Cleveland” writ large across the front. People might pop for the “Cavaliers” model, but the design is kind of crazy.

• Robert Posted: Oct.28 at 12:21 pm
  I agree with what MENDEL has said. Lebron is a manufactured by the media for so long. Before he even reached the NBA and some people here in SLAM are responsible for it. He is even more manufactured by the media than Barack Obama. It really hurts his marketability if the media enforces itself than letting the people say who they want more. There’s a lot of factors but some this has been Lebron’s own doing too since he promotes himself a little bit too much at times and people don’t like it when you pretend to be somebody that you’re not unlike just simply being yourself.

• Robert Posted: Oct.28 at 12:25 pm
  Another thing on why his marketing has taken a stumble is about what is really interesting about him? His image has been so pampered by the media that all we see is how talented he is and nothing much else. I’m not saying he should pull off controversial stuffs but I remember the olympic preview this year by time and they have Lebron on the cover stating that he ws the most compelling athlete in the coming olympics. Really? what was so compelling about him in the first place? What about other guys like Michael Phelps? Usain Bolt? I think looking back now we can say time made a huge mistake and those kind of things will hurt Lebron too.

• chintao Posted: Oct.29 at 12:08 am
  Mmmm mmm mmm. I smell haterade.

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