CLEVELAND — It’s not the news Cavaliers fans were hoping for. LeBron James has made another “decision,” and this time he’s taking his talents to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The announcement comes nearly a month after the Akron native entered free agency and began searching for a team for next season, likely the last of his career.
“When you look at it, LeBron is trying to chase rings,” said David Lee Morgan Jr.
He described LeBron James’ decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers as “bittersweet.” A sportswriter for more than 30 years, Morgan has been following James since his time as a high school phenom at Akron St. Vincent–St. Mary. He even wrote a book about it: “The LeBron Phenomenon: My front row seat to history.”
“For us fans in Cleveland, all we can do is wish him the best. I know that there will be people who will never forgive him for this, especially after his original “Decision” in the past. I am happy for him. I wish he was going to stay here, but I am looking forward to seeing what he does in Philly,” Morgan said.
But Morgan said he does understand.
“He wants to win. He doesn’t want to go around in this league at the end of his career and say thanks for the memories. He is concerned about what organization is going to give me the best chance to win, and he felt it was Philly,” said Morgan
It’s more than disappointment for fans. LeBron’s latest decision also carries a financial impact. According to the James Madison Institute, “When LeBron announced his return to Cleveland in 2014, ticket sales spiked by over 100 times, going from $25 to an average of $386 and season tickets selling out within hours. The city saw an economic surge with a 13% increase in bar and restaurants and 23.5% boost in local food service jobs.”
The city was preparing for that same economic impact if he had decided to come back home.
“Just think about the boom that would’ve been if he came back,” Morgan said. “Everybody was going to want to be in Downtown Cleveland for that first game, first week and season.”
Laurie Torres is the President of the Local Independent Restaurants Association, and she said if LeBron returned to Cleveland it would have created a huge economic impact for local businesses and restauarants in downtown.
“With the Browns leaving the city, and so many really prominent businesses and organizations closing downtown, something like the return of James would have been an economic boost for the city. It would have sent a signal that “Don’t give up on Cleveland.”
While Cleveland may miss out on some of that LeBron James revenue, Morgan said right now we are watching history being made.
“Here’s a dude who is 41 still playing, like he can average 20-plus a game, which he will. We’re in the middle of watching something that is historic. Let’s just enjoy it. This is a generational type of thing. Let’s just watch it and see what happens,” said Morgan
LeBron’s deal with the 76ers includes an option for a second year, which would be his 25th season. Whether he plays one year or two, his time with the 76ers will likely be the end of his storied career.