Don’t look now, but the wave of LeBron hate may have subsided a tad. Not a whole lot, but some. Winning a championship certainly helped. James is very consious of his brand and nowadays he takes very calculated steps to ensure his image is as good as it can be. He just decided to switch agents, from longtime agent Leon Rose in favor of friend Rich Paul. Perhaps another calculated step?
James signed with Rose in 2005, with Rose then joining CAA in 2007. The CAA link was cited among the factors that brought the three stars together during 2010 free agency, when James left the Cleveland Cavaliers and Bosh left the Toronto Raptors to join Wade with the Heat. James already had a working relationship with Paul under the umbrella of their LRMR Marketing company, a collaboration that also includes James’ manager Maverick Carter and friend Randy Mims, who has emerged as a member of the Heat’s traveling party. Through that association, James branched into an international marketing deal with the Fenway Sports Group, leading to his stake in Premier League soccer power Liverpool FC.
Source: sun-sentinel
