James to Fire Agent

[King]

I was watching ESPN and the are reporting that LeBron is in the process of firing his agent, Aaron Goodwin. Whether this is a good or bad thing, I dont know. I also dont know if its true or not, considering it's an ESPN rumor.

 

[Dungong]

I thought the story said that he might be firing his agent, not definately. I don't see how Lebron possibly firing an agent counts as news, or really what this could mean. You figure no matter what that Lebron gets the max, so this would only affect endorsement deals and stuff

 

[Glen Infante]

LeBron may fire his agent
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter
The relationship between Cavaliers guard LeBron James and Goodwin Sports Management is in jeopardy. James may sever ties with Aaron Goodwin, his agent, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Neither James nor Goodwin was available for comment.

James, according to the source, may believe that he no longer needs an agent because he likely will receive the maximum allowed in his next contract, and there is no need for negotiation. James is under contract with the Cavaliers for the next three seasons.

If James fires Goodwin, it would end a partnership that began when James was a senior at St. Vincent-St. Mary High. Goodwin attended several of James' high school games, and he attended several all-star games before James signed with him in the summer of 2003. Goodwin helped to negotiate the Nike deal James signed for $90 million. It is the biggest shoe deal in history.

Goodwin also represents Orlando Magic rookie forward Dwight Howard, Boston Celtics guard Gary Payton, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damon Stoudamire and New York Knicks guard Jamal Crawford.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

bwright@plaind.com, 216-999-6136

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1115458477326800.xml

 

[Glen Infante]

"It is believed James is considering turning his management over to his close friends, the James-dubbed ``Four Horsemen.'' The group includes James and Akron natives Randy Mims, his current road manager; Maverick Carter, a current Nike executive, and friend Rich Paul. A record company also might take over some management duties. Such a move would likely become controversial because Goodwin is one of the league's power brokers and has helped guide James into becoming the NBA's most marketable image. With James as the product and Goodwin as the skilled and renowned negotiator, James has inked endorsement contracts worth around $135 million with much more on the way." Akron Beacon Journal

Akron Beacon Journal

 

[Karma]

News
The Akron Beacon Journal is reporting that LeBron James is expected to fire agent Aaron Goodwin and replace him former high school teammate and Nike executive Maverick Carter, longtime family friend Randy Mims, and representatives from Def Jam Recordings.

Views
Goodwin had lined up approximately $135 million in endorsements from Nike, Coke, Upper Deck, Bubbilicious, and according to the Beacon Journal, was close to another massive deal with McDonald's. Apparently that wasn't good enough for LeBron, who is already dealing with significant rumors about what he'll do when his rookie contract expires in Cleveland.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=fanball-cavalierslebronswitc&prov=fanball&type=lgns

 

[Karma]

James is set to announce agent change

By Brian Windhorst, Beacon Journal staff writer

An announcement about LeBron James' decision to part ways with agent Aaron Goodwin is expected this week and could come as early as today, according to a person within the agent community.


It is believed that the Cavaliers superstar will turn some of his management duties over to Def Jam Recordings, a long-respected label in in the hip-hop music industry but a company not known for representing athletes.


It is also believed former St. Vincent-St. Mary high school teammate and close friend Maverick Carter will take a much more active role in James' management. Current road manager and longtime family friend Randy Mims also will be heavily involved among others.


The Cavaliers didn't have an official comment, a matter of routine when it comes to player representation.


Def Jam was founded in 1984 by Russell Simmons and has represented top artists like LL Cool J, Jay-Z and Ludacris among others.


Carter graduated St. V-M in 2000, played a season for Western Michigan and attended the University of Akron. He has been an executive with Nike since 2003, when James signed an endorsement deal with Nike.


When James' impending decision became public Saturday, it sent a mild shock through NBA circles. Goodwin has a reputation for landing and, sometimes, losing top-shelf talent, but he had received accolades for his management of James. He negotiated endorsement deals with Nike, Coca-Cola, Upper Deck, Bubbilicous and Juice Batteries worth $135 million and was believed to be close to hammering out another massive endorsement deal with McDonald's.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=knight-jamesissettoannounceagent&prov=knight&type=lgns

Lets hope that James is being smart with these decisions. Not sure how this will effect his relations with the Cavalier's, but he is going out on a limb slightly here.

 

[Marty Mar]

I actually think that if LeBron's friends are helping him make decisions, the better chance of him staying in Cleveland.

His boys aren't going to want him to leave, Im sure that all of them watched Cavs ball growing up and thier best friend LeBron playing for them is an absolute dream come true.

 

[Karma]

Cavs' James drops Goodwin as agent

By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer
May 10, 2005
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Cavaliers forward LeBron James has dropped agent Aaron Goodwin, who negotiated more than $135 million in endorsement deals for the 20-year-old in the past two years.

James sent a standard letter to the NBA players' association on Monday saying he had ended his relationship with Goodwin, union spokesman Dan Wasserman said.

James' surprising decision to drop his agent comes less than two years after Goodwin got him a $90 million landmark deal from Nike -- the richest initial shoe contract offered to an athlete.

Goodwin also helped James secure multimillion deals with Upper Deck, Coca-Cola, Bubbilicous and Juice Batteries.

Goodwin did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.

James is expected to turn over some of his management duties to close friend Maverick Carter, a former teammate at Akron's St. Vincent-St. Mary High School who currently is employed by Nike. Randy Mihms, who serves as James' personal assistant and road manager, and Rich Paul, another James confidant, also are expected to take on more active roles in his representation.

James and his three longtime friends call themselves the ``Four Horsemen.''

Goodwin's relationship with James dates to the All-Star's senior year in high school. Goodwin attended many of James' high school games before adding the young star as one of his clients in 2003.

On the eve of the NBA lottery that year, Goodwin brokered the deal with Nike, which outbid Adidas and Reebok for James.

Goodwin also represents Portland guard Damon Stoudamire, Orlando rookie Dwight Howard, Boston guard Gary Payton and Knicks guard Jamal Crawford.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-james-agent&prov=ap&type=lgns

 

[Pioneer10]

Doesn't seem smart to me since this Goodwin guy obviously got some great deals for Lebron and mixing friends and family with business is generally a recipe for disaster. That being said maybe 'bron figures he's more of a proven commodity now and companies will ante up as he's the bright young star of the NBA. Since know he's going to get big money anyways with or without an agent why pay big bucks to Goodwin.

 

[James]

Wow, Im shocked, Goodwin has always been IMO a shark. He is in it for the money he doesnt give a crap about LeBron just his endorsements and how much money he will get. Good move LeBron. Maybe he was fed up with all the trade rumors or Goodwin was pushing him to demand a trade...

 

[Mac]

Wow, Im shocked, Goodwin has always been IMO a shark. He is in it for the money he doesnt give a crap about LeBron just his endorsements and how much money he will get. Good move LeBron. Maybe he was fed up with all the trade rumors or Goodwin was pushing him to demand a trade...

Thats every agent, they arent paid to care about the athlete, they are paid to get every nickle they can for the athlete.

 

[LyXo]

This is just another sign that LeBron wants to stay in Cleveland. The new agent is from the area. The big-name agents would be pushing for him to move to bigger markets. LeBron is probably tired of listening to persuasion to go to NYK, Chicago, LA, etc. because he knows what he's getting and he doesn't need more.

 

[Karma]

Former teammate still at James' side

By Brian Windhorst, Beacon Journal staff writer

Maverick Carter has come a long way since his days at St. Vincent-St. Mary. The stakes are different and he's no longer wearing a basketball uniform, but he's still LeBron James' biggest running mate.


James filed paperwork with the NBA Players Association on Tuesday to sever ties with Seattle-based Goodwin Sports Management. According to multiple people close to James, Carter will assume a large portion of James' management.

James had been represented by Aaron and Eric Goodwin since he turned professional in 2003. The Goodwin brothers negotiated James' famous $90 million endorsement contract with Nike.


In all, James has signed endorsement deals worth an estimated $135 million, along with his $13 million contract with the Cavaliers.


"I would like to thank LeBron and Ms. (Gloria) James for the chance to work with them," Aaron Goodwin said. "We worked very hard to build and maintain his image and his brand over the last two years and felt we were very successful. I wish him all the best."


Carter was the senior captain of the St. V-M team that went 27-0 and won the Division III state championship when James was a freshman in 2000. The two have been close friends ever since, and Carter has long been preparing to assume a leadership role.


He interned at Nike while studying sports management at the University of Akron. He then was hired by the shoe giant after James signed his endorsement deal and has been learning on the job ever since.


Reached by phone, Carter declined to comment Tuesday, only saying he and James were "moving forward."


"I always felt that LeBron would entrust the kids, the people closest to him, with his business dealings in time," said Sonny Vaccaro, a former executive at Nike and adidas who now is a consultant for Reebok.


"It is just a natural progression in LeBron's life. He is very close to the people around him."


Vaccaro, who was the first shoe executive to seriously recruit James when he was with adidas in 2000, has known Carter for years and believes he's up to the challenge ahead.


"Maverick is a bright young man. He has an aggressiveness and a willingness to be kind to everyone," Vaccaro said. "Maverick has made that into an art form. I watched him grow up. I had a front-row seat."


Carter played one season at Western Michigan before transferring to Akron, where he practiced with the Zips while sitting out as a transfer before departing to concentrate on his relationship with James.


"Maverick has been successful at everything he's put his mind to, and he has the willingness to work at his weaknesses," said University of Akron coach Keith Dambrot, who also coached Carter for two seasons at St. V-M.


"Most importantly, he cares about LeBron, and he's not afraid to tell him the truth."


Carter, James and friends Randy Mims and Richard Paul -- known as the "Four Horsemen" in NBA circles -- might try to expand their new operation in time by reaching out to other pro athletes.


"I'm telling you this kid (Carter) is smart. I told him he is going to run for president," Vaccaro said. "I talked to Maverick recently and used an old line from The Godfather on him. I said, `Maverick you guys are going to be bigger than U.S. Steel."

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=knight-formerteammatestillatjame&prov=knight&type=lgns

 

[Deadlock]

I like it that his agent will be a home town Akron boy like him. This will probaly increase the likely hood that he will wear a Cavs uniform for his whole career.

 

[Da Vinci]

How is everyone sure that LeBron and his new faculty would want to stay in Cleveland for their entire careers? Cleveland isn't exactly paradise. Money makes people do evil things. Greed can very well be running through each one of their veins and you have to be totally biased to think that they aren't considering moving to a more popular surrounding.

Especially LeBron. The man is high class. He deserves to be surrounded with a high class atmosphere. I just hope that Gilbert builds Gund Arena into that high class surrounding like he says he is.