Percentage of Cavaliers' Fan Following in Cleveland | Percentage of Heat's Fan Following in Miami | |
---|---|---|
Before Lebron James | 0.34 | 0.24 |
After Lebron James | 0.54 | 0.58 |
%
Sources:
nielsen.com
Percentage of Cavaliers' Fan Following in Cleveland | Percentage of Heat's Fan Following in Miami | |
---|---|---|
Before Lebron James | 0.34 | 0.24 |
After Lebron James | 0.54 | 0.58 |
When Lebron James arrived in Cleveland in 2003, the Cavs fan following was 34% of Cleveland. By the time he left, it had grown 142%! In Lebron James' four years in Miami, the Heat's fan following grew 58%. James is the most popular and marketable player in the NBA, and he effects franchises beyond the court.
I would definitely agree that sport players are valuable for much more than their technical skills. In fact, the "brand images" of sports players are so important and valuable that many sports figures will sue over misappropriation of their identity: cdas.com/jewel-oscos-ad-congr…
Thanks for the link! I've never heard of that case before. It's especially true now with social media. Athletes have huge fan followings and their personal brands are very strong. Athletes will be more and more wary of how their name is used.