Where is the love?

LeBron James made headlines last Sunday when he attended the Cleveland Browns’ season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.  James was outfitted in his trademark Yankees camp and sported a Cowboys blue t-shirt as he stood on Dallas’ sideline and exchanged pleasantries with Jerry Jones, Terrell Owens, and Pacman Jones.

James’ display was the second time he has attended a major sporting event in Cleveland and cheered for the opposing team.

A few of Cleveland’s journalists and bloggers have had enough.

Others think it’s no big deal.

I see both sides of the spectrum.

It’s no secret that LeBron grew up a Yankees, Cowboys, and Bulls fan.  Amar Panchmatia of Cavalier Attitude pointed out that LeBron is an Ohio State football fan too.  But Ohio State University is located in Columbus, not Cleveland.

Does James harbor some hidden animosity towards the city of Cleveland?

I don’t know.  But LeBron always makes a point of emphasizing his roots in Akron.  In his mind, Cleveland is already on the map.  LeBron is striving to gain notoriety for his hometown, not the city of Cleveland.  And gaining notoriety for LeBron’s hometown can be accomplished in a Cavs … or Knicks uniform.

LeBron may feel a sense of loyalty to his friends and family that reside in the Cleveland area.  But he’s given no reason to believe that he’s more loyal to the Cavaliers franchise than most NBA players are to theirs.  And I can see why that would rub a few Clevelanders the wrong way.  Especially those who grew up in the state of Ohio as James did, and expect him to root for Ohio teams, as they do.  But if there is one thing that can be taken from James’ pro and collegiate sports allegiances, it’s that LeBron remains loyal to teams that have won championships.

Some Cavs fans want to believe that James will stay because he has friends and family in the Cleveland area, or because he just built a new home and has business interests in the state.  And James’ open display of loyalty to franchises in other cities runs contrary to that line of thinking.  LeBron won’t stay with the Cavs because he’s from Ohio.  Just like he won’t root for the Browns or Indians because he grew up in the state.  If the Cavs win a championship, LeBron will more than likely re-up.  If they don’t, he’ll leave.  It’s that simple.

My advice to those that have grown tired of LeBron’s decision to perpetuate rumors of his departure:  get used to it.  James will never sign a long-term contract in Cleveland, or anywhere else for that matter.  There will always be rumors of him signing with another team.  And there will always be NBA teams willing to do whatever it takes to make a run at him in free agency.  James will end up with the team that gives him the best chance to maximize his earning potential and win championships.  Cleveland will never be able to offer him the former, they have a lot of work to do on the latter.