LeBron James apparently makes game shows now. Or is in the process of creating one, anyway.
THE KING TO CREATE PRIMETIME GAME SHOW
Via ESPN:
James’ SpringHill Productions is partnering with NBC to create a prime-time game show with payouts that could reach seven figures. The lead producer on the project is Andrew Glassman, who has developed shows “Average Joe” and “Three Wishes” for NBC. The game show doesn’t have a formal name or air date yet.
At James’ request, the show is doing its first casting in the Cleveland and Akron areas, looking for couples to compete in the show.
“It gives people here an opportunity to live out a dream, the things they only dreamed about, and that’s to make more money than they ever thought they could make in their lives,” James said Wednesday. “So it’s a life-changing experience if they get an opportunity to be selected, and I thought starting here, with the people that I love here, means a lot to them. And me being a part of the game show is just all part of my team doing things that’s outside the box but also that’s fun for families and people that any ages can gravitate to.”
SpringHill Productions, which is led by James’ business partner Maverick Carter, currently is involved with “Survivor’s Remorse” for Starz and “Becoming” on Disney XD. James and Carter also have been developing a movie script with Kevin Hart.
James is not working on the project day to day during the season. The project was launched last summer.
LAKERS REPLACE KNICKS AS NBA’S MOST VALUABLE TEAM
It might hard to imagine, as they are amongst the two worst teams in the NBA, but the Los Angeles Lakers have replaced the New York Knicks as the league’s most expensive franchise.
In fact, Forbes have reported that 11 NBA teams are now worth over $1billion. Three [Lakers, Knicks and Bulls] are worth $2 billion.
Via ESPN:
The magazine says the Lakers top the league at a $2.6 billion valuation, followed by the Knicks ($2.5 billion) and the Bulls ($2 billion). Even though Ballmer paid $2 billion for the Clippers, Forbes values the team at $1.6 billion, fifth among teams, immediately following the fourth-ranked Boston Celtics ($1.7 billion).
The Brooklyn Nets (who are currently on the market) came in sixth at $1.5 billion, followed by the Golden State Warriors ($1.3 billion), Houston Rockets ($1.25 billion), Miami Heat ($1.175 billion), Dallas Mavericks ($1.15 billion) and San Antonio Spurs ($1 billion). Last year, when Forbes valued the Mavs at $765 million, owner Mark Cuban called it “way too low,” saying it was worth more than $1 billion.
The Atlanta Hawks, another team currently for sale, are worth $825 million. Michael Jordan hasn’t had an easy road as owner of Charlotte’s NBA team, but the former great certainly is in a good position financially. What he paid $275 million for five years ago is now worth $725 million, according to Forbes.
Another team that has struggled on the court has also seen its value rise significantly. Josh Harris and his partners paid $280 million less than four years ago for the Philadelphia 76ers. Under his ownership, the team has gone 96-175 (.354), but Forbes said the team is now worth $420 million more than Harris paid for it.
KOBE CONTINUING IN PURSUIT OF RONDO
The Los Angeles Lakers swung and whiffed on the Rajon Rondo trade in late December, but Kobe Bryant isn’t giving up on the chase just yet.
The Dallas Mavericks are confident that they can re-sign the star point guard this summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent, but Bryant plans to throw a monkey wrench in their plans.
Bryant, who famously worked out for Rondo’s former team prior to the 1996 NBA Draft, says he can’t name five current members of the Boston Celtics.
Via Boston Herald:
Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was asked if he could name five Celtics. […] “Nope,” Bryant said with a laugh.“Yeah, that’s strange to see,” he said, “but I guess it’s what they’ve got to do. What’s really weird is my kids, when we watch TV and we watch the games. They’ll see Kendrick Perkins and they’ll see Paul (Pierce) and see KG (Kevin Garnett) in different places, and they’ll be like, ‘Wait, what are they doing there?’ You know what I mean? It’s like really awkward. And it puts things in perspective, because I’m seeing things from their perspective.”
While Mavericks owner Mark Cuban expressed confidence his club can and will sign Rondo to a new deal, Bryant said he’s not about to cease working on getting him to LA. […] “No way,” Bryant said. “I’m not done. I’m not stopping until he signs an extension.”
