A source close to Lebron James said that Lebron “would strongly consider playing overseas if he was offered a salary of “around $50 million a year.”
Lebron James’ current contract expires after the 2009-10 season. Because of salary cap, no team in the NBA can offer James more than 20 million a year.
According to ESPN, The Russian team CSKA Moscow and the Greek team Olympiacos, have already contacted James, no monetary or contractual discussions have taken place according to the person close to James.
But is it even possible for a Euro team to pay that much money?
“it is within the realm of possibility, considering the reported $250 million contract David Beckham received two years ago to join Major League Soccer, the $33 million Michael Jordan was paid by the Chicago Bulls for the 1997-98 season, the strength of the euro in comparison to the dollar, and the fact that European clubs are not bound by a salary cap”
James might strongly consider this (do you blame him?) for one or two year. It is an opportunity to make a lot of money plus popularize his name overseas and the game. The Major League Soccer paid David Beckham $250 million to play in the U.S for two five years in hopes to popularize the game. Same might happen with James or any other NBA superstar.
The NBA is not concerned
“NBA’s president of league and basketball operations, said the league is not concerned about this developing trend.
“I don’t want to say it’s much ado about nothing, but we think it’s overblown a bit,” Litvin said. “It’s not something we’re losing sleep over.”