Five Reasons Why LeBron James Might Not Come To New York or New Jersey

1) No City Clause in His Nike Contract

Without comparison, LeBron’s biggest source of income comes from his Nike contract, which he recently re-signed without a “city clause” in it.

Many athletes have included “city clauses” in their contracts in recent years to ensure that they get fairly compensated if they expose a company’s brand to a larger number of people as a result of playing in a major market.  

LeBron wasn’t interested in this, which begs the question, why not?  

2) He Will Be 26 This December

If LeBron decided to sign with the Knicks or the Nets, it would probably be at least two years (and most likely longer) before he had any chance at winning an NBA title.  

LeBron knows that there’s only one way to achieve basketball immortality, and that’s to win NBA titles.  Do you think he wants to wait until he’s 29 before he has another reasonable chance at winning an NBA title?  

The Cavs just won the Eastern Conference.

3) He Does Not Want To Be Painted With the Alex Rodriguez Brush

Things started to go downhill for Alex Rodriguez when he signed a $200-million contract with the Texas Rangers. 

Prior to that deal, Rodriguez was simply viewed as an unbelievable talented young ball player. 

After that deal he was viewed as a money-hungry prima donna.

Had Rodriguez stayed in Seattle and signed a very high yet not overly excessive contract, one could only assume that his image would be less tarnished than it is today.

4) Other Teams Also Have Money To Spend

The Knicks and the Nets have a ton of cap space this offseason.  But they’re not the only two teams with cap space.

Miami, Chicago, and Oklahoma City—all of whom have made the 2010 playoffs—will also have a large amount of cap space.

And what about the Cavs?

They will have plenty of money to VERY fairly compensate LeBron throughout the duration of his next contract.  

5) How Do We Know if He Likes New York?

Many people are simply assuming that LeBron likes the New York/New Jersey area, but how do we know that for sure?

Not everyone likes New York or New York sports fans.

For all of the players that have signed with the Yankees and Mets in recent years, there have been many more that have had no interest in playing in New York.

LeBron has spent his entire life in Ohio. In New York the atmosphere is different, the people are different, and the culture is different.

Some people like that difference and some don’t.