LeBron Signs Deal With McDonald's, Includes Super Bowl Spot

James Appearing In Super Bowl Spot With Howard, Larry Bird

McDonald's Thursday confirmed that Cavaliers F LeBron James has agreed to a multi-year sponsorship deal with the QSR that includes James appearing in a McDonald's TV spot to debut prior to the kickoff of Super Bowl XLIV. James also will support several of the QSR's programs, promotions and Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Super Bowl commercial was filmed earlier this month and also features Magic C Dwight Howard and Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. It is a takeoff on the famous "The Showdown" spot that Bird made with Michael Jordan which depicted the two HOFers playing a game of H-O-R-S-E (THE DAILY). In Akron, George Thomas notes the deal "will include advertising for commercials, online and print ads." James also will "lend a hand" to this year's McDonald's All-American High School Basketball Games in Columbus, Ohio. The deal "came together after years of flirting" by Translation Advertising Founder Steve Stoute, James and his agent, LRMR Sports Marketing CEO Maverick Carter. James' other sponsors include Coca-Cola, Nike and State Farm Insurance (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 1/29). Carter said that James "had 'on-and-off' talks with McDonald's over the past four years." The AP's Tom Withers notes James, who has two young sons, "fits McDonald's wholesome image and his worldwide popularity makes him an ideal ambassador for the company" (AP, 1/28).