Maybe Cleveland really isn't LeBron James' kind of town after all.
In a decision that will surely send tongues wagging in the NBA -- and particularly in Manhattan -- a Cleveland city commission turned down a request to create a massive mural of the NBA star, on the grounds that the image was really just a giant ad for Nike and in violation of city codes that limit the size of billboards, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The proposed mural would have replaced an existing image of James, covering a 10-story wall of an office building near Quicken Loans Arena, the home venue of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although the city of Cleveland has made exceptions in the past for the existing mural, they felt the new image was more of an advertisement than art.
The Associated Press reports Dwyane Wade will leave Converse for Nike's Jumpman brand, an imprint which already boasts Chris Paul, Kevin Martin and Carmelo Anthony. The move lacks the drama of something like Kobe Bryant's adidas-to-Nike switch post-Eagle, because Converse is a Nike brand already.
But considering that Wade is basically the only star left in Converse's stable, it could be the nail in the coffin for the iconic brand in terms of high-end basketball shoes.
Sunday's Wimbledon final was one of the best tennis matches I've ever watched; it's fitting that Roger Federer actually experienced a challenge when he won his record-setting 15th Grand Slam title. And, it was such an impressive feat that Nike gathered some of its finest athletes together and mish-mashed them all into one commercial in which they're in shock and awe at Roger's amazing accomplishment. Seriously though, the namechecks on this puppy make you realize what an amazing feat it is. Via Sharapova's Thigh
Disclaimer: FanHouse in no way endorses any particular shoe or believes any brand to be superior to another when discussing athletic apparel. This is just one blogger's (albeit a brilliant one) opinion of the culturally significant release of the product that Nike calls the "Trainer 1."
There are two important aspects of shoes (much like everything else): form, and function. The Nike Trainer 1, which was unveiled to sneakerheads and media folks at Newport Beach this past week, receives high marks for both in an impressive fashion.
About 10 years ago, Nike had a hot basketball sneaker campaign called Nike freestyle. In what looks like an UNDRCRWN promotion, the Washington Wizards' young guns (and Mike James) have decided to create their own version of the freestyle ads. Here's a look at the vid:
The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel report from the event included no less than three (bleep)s in its online edition. Maybe that's just the kind of coverage needed to perk up the newspaper industry.
Earlier this month Will Brinson posted a clip of Kobe Bryant offering ankle insurance to Mike Epps in a spot for his new Zoom Kobe IVs. I was wondering where they were going with the ankle insurance line, but now I know the answer. Take a look at the hilarious clip below. And no, there's no fee required to watch.
Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.
NBA star Carmelo Anthony is one of the brightest young stars in the NBA, which may be why he was chosen by Nike to be the face of their "Jordan" brand shoe line. In this video we catch up with 'Melo and his wife La La Vazquez at a party in Hollywood where his new "Jordan Melo-5" shoe was unleashed. 'Melo tells us which NBA player has the most street cred, and what he thinks about the Nuggets' new point guard Chauncey Billups. We also hear from Chloe Kardashian, professional wrestler Michael 'The Miz' Mizanin, and actor Pooch Hill.
With everyone convinced that LeBron James will leave Cleveland for the New York Knicks during the summer of 2010, there have been all sorts of rumors that have come about to explain his desire to leave. One of them is the belief that he will receive more money from Nike if he plays in New York. The thinking behind this is that it would be much more advantageous for Nike to have LeBron playing in the country's largest market and the world's basketball mecca.
The $100 million number is LeBron's total contract that includes a $10 million signing bonus. There are other bonuses, royalties and incentives, but there is no New York, Chicago or L.A. market incentive.
Even if LeBron did have the New York clause in his contract it would be done by the time his contract expired. James' original deal is a seven year deal, meaning it ends at the end of the 2009-10 season, before he would have a chance to go to New York.
Rovell eventually goes into something about how LeBron hasn't been really moving product for Nike and how he likely won't be able to make more than what he's making from Nike now even if he goes to New York.
After taking last season off, the LeBron's characters have made their return. In this ad for the Nike Air Zoom LeBron VI, the LeBron's character Biz LeBron romances Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger. Here's the spot:
Honestly, I love this ad because it does two things that most shoe ads don't do these days. First, it's funny and memorable. It was a brilliant move to use Scherzinger in the spot. Tons more people will watch the spot just because she's in it. Next, it actually highlights the shoe effectively. I can't tell you how many shoe commercials I see that don't highlight the shoe enough.
Maybe Cleveland really isn't LeBron James' kind of town after all.
The Associated Press reports 
Appearing at the Nike "Coach of the Year" clinic in Pennsylvania, Florida Gators football coach 
NBA star 
With everyone convinced that 
