Team LeBron To Include Friends, Possibly Iverson’s Agent

LeBron Could Tap Iverson’s Agent To Be Point Man In Negotiations

Cavaliers F LEBRON JAMES’ new management team is in talks about hiring LEON ROSE, who reps 76ers G ALLEN IVERSON, “to eventually represent James when he negotiates his next NBA contract,” according to SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Liz Mullen. Sources said that contrary to reports, Def Jam Recordings “won’t be involved,” eliminating a potential conflict of interest for Def Jam President & CEO JAY-Z, who is a Nets investor. The new management group will be headed by James’ longtime friends MAVERICK CARTER, RANDY MIMS and RICH PAUL, as well as WILLIAM “WES” WESLEY, a “confidant to many NBA players” who is close to Rose. James’ family attorney, FRED NANCE, “is also said to be involved.” Carter was hired by Nike “to oversee the company’s $90[M] relationship with James.” Reebok Senior Dir of Grassroots Basketball SONNY VACCARO: “Don’t discount (Carter) as just another young kid or (James’) buddy. This kid Maverick is bright. I am saying he is going to be a giant in this industry” (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 5/16).

CHOOSE WISELY: In Chicago, Sam Smith reported one national company said that “in endorsement negotiations with James, his terms included roles for his friends in commercials” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/16). In Louisville, Jerry Brewer wrote under the header, “LeBron should learn: Don’t mix friends, money.” Brewer, on James: “[A] top-level agent can do amazing things for his career. A bad one could cost him millions” (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 5/16).

TRUST COMPANY: In S.F., Janny Hu noted TODD RAMASAR “is 25 years old and quit law school a few years ago to manage” Warriors G BARON DAVIS, his friend and former UCLA teammate. Ramasar is Davis’ third agent during his six-year NBA career; he was formerly repped by ARN TELLEM and JEROME STANLEY. Ramasar worked with Tellem until Davis left for Stanley. Ramasar said that he “named his company Life Sports Management because he wants his clients, who are mostly former UCLA players, to be family to one another” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 5/15). Ramasar, who also reps NBAer JELANI MCCOY and NBA prospect DIJON THOMPSON, both former UCLA players, said, “A lot of people aren’t giving LeBron the benefit of the doubt. They’re not respecting his intelligence. If LeBron didn’t feel Maverick would be a good representative for him, I’m sure he wouldn’t have done it.” But NBA agent DARREN WHITE said of James’ change in representation, “It seems like it would be an easier pill to swallow if these guys had experience” (PLAIN DEALER, 5/17).