PORTLAND, Ore. — LeBron James has said all season it’s all about winning championships when he decides where to sign this summer, that it wasn’t about marketing and Broadway lights.
His new Nike contract apparently bears that out.
Only miles from where the Knicks disgraced themselves in last night’s 118-90 blowout loss to the Trail Blazers, — who clinched a playoff berth — at the Rose Garden, big rumblings were going on at Nike headquarters with the company acknowledging yesterday that James had signed a new multi-year contract.
“LeBron James is one of the world’s best basketball players and a global sports icon that has transcended generations and cultures,” Nike spokesman Kejuan Wilkins said in an e-mail to The Post. “Nike’s relationship with LeBron has created innovative basketball products and captivating campaigns. We’re proud to continue our partnership with him for years to come.”
Nevertheless, the deal may not favor the Knicks in their pursuit of James. CNBC reported the new deal does not have any clauses that would pay James more if he signed with the Knicks.
The idea of the no-New York clause is [that] James is confident he will make extra money off the base contract by selling more shoes because of his new royalty agreement. And he will sell more shoes by winning championships.
The common assumption is James would sell more playing for the Knicks. Nevertheless, marketing experts have advised James he will sell more merchandise, especially abroad, by capturing rings. Kobe Bryant sells more shoes in China than James, likely because of his four NBA titles.
The Cavaliers are favored to win the NBA title this season, owning the NBA’s best record, while the Knicks have sustained nine consecutive losing seasons.
Unless James can get to the Knicks by bringing with him another free-agent All-Star such as Chris Bosh, there is no way he can think he can win a title on Broadway. That is why the Knicks at the trade deadline did everything in their power to open up space for nearly two maximum contracts, including trading rookie lottery pick Jordan Hill and two conditional first-round picks.
Several Knicks players visited the Nike employee store on the Beaverton (Ore.) campus the past two days, but that might be as close as they get to LeBron’s apparel.
Despite James’ urging that his decision will come down to where he feels he can win a championship, there’s been speculation Nike would put something into his new deal to make it sweeter to play for the Knicks. James’ old Nike contract, which expires this year, reportedly had incentive clauses in the early years.
James’ original Nike deal coming out of the draft was seven years, $93 million. The new deal reportedly is worth more than that, but did not reveal specific terms.
When he last visited the Garden in November, James dropped his ominous remark about signing with a winner next July.
“At the end of the day, a max deal doesn’t really matter,” James said. “It is all about winning to me. When that day comes next summer, I want to win. If I feel like the team is capable of winning, then I will make my decision based on that.”
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Wilson Chandler (groin) was evaluated last night by team doctor Lisa Callahan, and the Knicks have deemed him out for the season.
“It’s still sore,” Chandler told the Post. “My legs are weak. It’s not 100 percent.”
Chandler played 65 games, averaging 15.3 points. He was shut down March 17 and will have missed the season’s final 15 games.
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Former Knick Al Harrington sprained his left ankle in the third quarter and did not return. Harrington said it’s unlikely he would play tomorrow in Golden State, but hopes he doesn’t have to shut it down for the season.