Bro-Man sees something “brewing”
The video above shows the thoughts of a prototypical American-beer-drinking-$200- dollar-a-game-spending-fan. He talks about how Budweiser, now under the ownership
of Belgium beverage giant InBev, has shook America’s consciousness and ties it in with
the possible LeBron jump to Europe.
Reports of Lebron and Kobe heading over to places like Greece, Russia, and Italy are dominating the thoughts of many American basketball fans. Bounce has followed the
rise of Nike’s strong grassroots basketball marketing in Europe and Asia and how kids
are now making choices to ball rather than play soccer. They see the possibilities of a
new fan-base of developing ballplayers wearing Nike’s.
The rise of the euro has encouraged the development of oil and gas distribution networks
and the proliferation of satellite tv throughout the European and Asian continents. Many millionaire’s have turned into billionaire’s and they, like us, love sports. Check my article called “The Speculative LeBron James” for some real hype on the matter.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Casey Lee says:
Wow…
A glimpse of the future, maybe?
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Sean Couch says:
Money talks and when opportunity comes just like Brandon Jennings broke out to Europe it’s inevitable that one superstar is going to make the jump.
December 4th, 2008 at 5:40 am
Kevin Couliau says:
Money talks in every countries ! It’s the same story when a Nba player moves from a Franchise to one other !
And if Lebron goes to Europe ! What’s the problem, he’s a human being, citizen of the world. If it can help basketball to grow in Europe it’s a good thing to me.
U.S.A has the biggest talent pool in basketball, if one superstar leave a franchise it’s an opportunity for a bench guy to shine. Thanks to the draft you have at least 1 superstar per season !
A French mag just did an article on the NBA opening its doors to foreign players. Event if it’s a business question, now foreign players represent 17% of the 450 players of the NBA. Maybe still a minority but don’t you think the game has evolved thanks to those mixed rosters.
Teams like Portland, San Antonio, Dallas, Toronto, Orlando, Los Angeles are now playing like European teams with the intensity of the NBA. Parker,Nowitzki,Nash,Ginobili,Deng,Fernandez,Calderon,Gasol,Biedrins,
Kirilenko,Stojakovic…. all those guys came to the NBA and improved the quality of the game. Why US players couldn’t come to Europe to improve the media coverage of basketball and face Soccer !
December 4th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Casey Lee says:
Well spoken Kev!
I believe there will be an even more major “globalization” and integration of players in the Europe to the US and players in the US to Europe…why can’t other sports and industries catch onto the trend?
December 4th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Sean Couch says:
I agree, the NBA draft is increasingly foreign, although it took a step back from that trend last year. Baseball has Japanese and Spanish players. Football isn’t down yet.
I think Basketball has the most impact because of the comp level, and again, if a kid like Lance or someone like Bron or Kobe jet, it makes the game even bigger for the world.
December 6th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Sean Couch says:
An e-mail i received from Stratos Costalos. He has recommended several players for the Greek A League in Europe:
Hey Sean, I looked at that clip re Lebron and Budweiser…
Here are some thoughts.
Soccer players aren’t paid much differently than NBA or NFL or MLB players. Actually, they have less freedom and most times, their rights are owned by their clubs. They get bought and sold, loaned out….
Don’t get me wrong, they make money, but even the top top guys like Christiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi ….they don’t make nearly as much money as the stars here do. Sure that Beckham deal raised a lot of eyebrows, but let’s see how it plays out.
People want to see results. The marketing stuff and the friendships with Tom Cruise and Will Smith…. that stuff is not enough. If he doesn’t perform on an unbelievably high level, he won’t see anything close to the $250 million that was talked about. And he is not capable of
performing on that level and electrifying the public.
Now re Lebron, i don’t see him going over to Europe after this current contract for a number of reasons.
First of all, basketball in Europe remains an expensive hobby. Sure there are a few club owners that would make this kind of move for their ego. But it would be very difficult for it to make financial sense.
Let’s assume that some super rich shipping heir has no problem parting ways with $200 million. The question now becomes, would a player of Lebron’s stature be motivated just by money? Would a player, be it Wade or Lebron, leave the L and sacrifice a chance at a Ring, and all the other honors? I highly doubt it. Maybe in 6 or 7 years, after he has won a title and won a few MVP’s…then why not. But to leave in your prime…..it makes no sense.
Another thing we have to consider is the global economy and the $/ EURO exchange rate. Back in July when Childress was signed, the EURO peaked for a brief moment at 1.60. Not even 10 days later, it was down to 1.48. It is now 1.26. You get what I am getting at?
I had said to everyone during the Olympics, because everyone was talking about Kobe, Wade and Lebron heading over to Europe, that if the value of the Euro increases to 1.8 or 2.0, then it would make something like this more possible. But if on the other hand, the dollar strengthens and approaches parity with the EURO, that story changes.
Gotta go Sean, take care and let’s get together soon OK.
My best,
Stratos
December 7th, 2008 at 4:41 am
nopace1 says:
Bro-Man has nothing to worry about. The US is getting hit hard on every front right now, but American players don’t have a better option than the League. Everyone knows there’s a big difference between Josh Childress and Lebron. So why are people worried Lebron is next? No one in Europe can pay him close to $50 million because they’ll never see a return on that kind of money because they don’t have the jersey sales, sneaker deals, TV contracts, etc that make it worth it to pay the stars.
And watch out for Brandon Jennings’ time in Rome to end soon — word is he got kicked out of 2 practices this week and barely played in the last games. Zero minutes in one game and only 11 in the next with no points and 2 turnovers.
Young Money’s gonna have to forget about the NBA for a couple of months or he’ll be gone from Rome. You heard it here first.