NBA Recruitment Is On To Bring LeBron James to New York

What would you do to get LeBron on your team?

If you’re New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh, you’ll do anything it takes.

The Knicks president is asking as many New Yorkers as possible to help persuade James to come to the Big Apple. Free agency opens on July 1 and Walsh wants to use James’s ties to the Yankees to get him in a Knicks jersey. Who can blame him?

As Walsh says, “Just the opportunity is phenomenal here right now, particularly for a high-level player. I think this city would embrace it, and the guy would probably experience celebrity and fortune and all that beyond what he thinks he can.”

Not only has the Big Apple gone all out creating a C’mon LeBron website with a Facebook page, Twitter, and video about New York City with Mayor Bloomberg, but they’ve also done a secret study that estimates a $57.8 million increase in city revenue if James commits to the city.

Anybody else wondering how much this “secret” study cost the city to conduct?

Some New Yorkers aren’t jumping on the bandwagon though.

Derek Jeter, New York Yankees captain, says “it wouldn’t make sense.” They play different sports and it just doesn’t make sense for Jeter to encourage him. The decision should be his own.

Yes, it’s a good strategy to get the free agent leaning towards your team, but it should be his choice. After all, it’s not like Jeter and James will be playing together. It should be about his fit with the team and what the right move is for his career.

Other New Yorkers, including Jay-Z and CC Sabathia agree with Jeter and are staying out of it. Bottom line, it’s his decision.

Even still, if LeBron wanted some Yankee tickets I’m sure he’d have no problem getting them.