Charity has gotten tangled into a controversy over ESPN’s decision to give an hour of its programming schedule on Thursday to LeBron James, the NBA star who used the network’s airwaves to announce that he will jion the Miami Heat next season.
As part of the deal, ESPN agreed to donate the proceeds of all of the advertising sales for the show to Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Many in the media world are decrying the event, saying that it hurts ESPN’s journalistic credibility.
Mitch Albom, who is also the author of Tuesdays With Morrie, is especially critical of the decision.
And Mr. Albom writes on a Detroit Free Press blog that the donation only adds to the absurdity of the event.
“A prime-time event? To announce a free-agent signing? And don’t point out that some proceeds go to charity. You want to give to charity, quietly write a check. Don’t get a network to do it for you so it gets to pump its shows and you get to shower yourself in international coverage—while calling it philanthropy.
“The NBA has embarrassed itself here. The media have embarrassed themselves. And a guy who calls himself ‘King’ may be beyond embarrassment, which is truly embarrassing.”
What do you think? Is the donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs truly philanthropic? How should the organization respond to the controversy?
10 Responses to Is LeBron James’s Televised Announcement Philanthropy?
tonymartignetti - July 9, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Peter,The Boys & Girls Clubs should take the gift and graciously thank Mr. James, as they’ve done. The controversy around this gift may be embarrassing to James, the NBA, ESPN and others, but that doesn’t tarnish the agency. They look like a nonprofit accepting a donation and exposure that are enviable–in support of their good work. Your coverage moved me to a blog post: http://www.mpgadv.com/blog.Tony Martignetti
kay_keenan - July 9, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Peter,I actually find your question surprising. Of course they should accept the sponsorship dollars. James is a long time supporter of Boys & Girls Club according to them. The gift is coming from legal and ethical sources. What would be the reason to not accept it? Kay Keenan
doug_s - July 9, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Where has the NBA and David Stern been hiding during this whole comedy of turnovers? The league had troubles to begin with (see below) but its brand has been tarnished once again. James was quoted in the papers here in Ohio that his mother has been orchestrating/dictating/influencing this 3-ring circus. This is the same “LeBron’s mother” who had a very public bedding down with one her son’s teammates. Proud moment for mother and son on that. For a national charity to fall in with that crowd is just a sad situation. The very behavior that gives rise to Boys and Girls Clubs all over our country comes back to feed the sickness all over again. Out of wedlock children; unmitigated sexual rampaging; spousal/girlfriend abuse; firearms infractions…the list goes on. And what about the public humiliation perpetrated upon the people of N.E. Ohio. People out of work buying JamesWear and related bling. With what money??? The whole thing reeks of amateur hour and poor business practices. No management at all. That’s what you get LeJudas when your closest advisors are your high school classmates from Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary’s. The “me generation” on display for all to gawk at and BOY IS IT UGLY!
81019552 - July 9, 2010 at 3:58 pm
The Boys and Girls Clubs of America is an amazing organization and worthy of philanthropic investments from all legitimate sources. For some people giving anonymously is their choice. For most for-profit organizations getting publicity is part of their philanthropy strategy — doing well while doing good. I hope Mr. Albom is a generous and joyful donor to causes he cares about. Mr. James’ giving to BGCA is a good thing. I hope others will join him.Karen E. OsbornePresidentThe Osborne Group, Inc.
robe1310 - July 9, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Has Mitch Albom ever visited the Boys & Girls Clubs in Detroit?Has Mitch asked any of his prominent journalistic friends to make a contribution to the Boys & Girls Club? Let’s go outside the lines on this one? Robert DillinghamPresidentKiwanis Club of Riviera Beach
annettaf3 - July 9, 2010 at 4:38 pm
A gift from LeBron would have been philanthropic on his part. A gift obtained from his celebrity with the full-court press of every network, not just ESPN, all slathering to report who he planned to play for doesn’t seem philanthropic to me. I’m happy the Boys & Girls Club benefited. It will be interesting to see how many new gifts and returning gifts this circus brings. If it were my organization that’s how I’d determine how successful this extravaganza has been.
schammond - July 9, 2010 at 6:57 pm
I think the point missed by many with the media circus is the hit nonprofits in the Cleveland area will take with James leaving. Certainly he lent his name and presence to events which attracted people.
maoppenheimer - July 10, 2010 at 7:29 am
Karen is right, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America is an incredible organization that has consistently helped millions of kids for more than a century. Many Clubs are hurting today, as are many not-for-profits. If mega-millionaire NBA stars, and the greedy networks that help create them, can use some of their wealth to help, then that is a good thing. It is a separate issue from the self-serving egomania of LeBron James, who is not the first American athlete (and probably not the last) who will follow dollar signs to try to quickly win a championship, rather than work with a team over the long haul to build a championship. Meanwhile, I hope the money finds its way to kids in Cleveland and Akron and environs who need the assistance.Mary Ann Oppenheimer
foodandwater - July 12, 2010 at 11:59 am
Why is this even an issue? ESPN is a business. Corporate philanthropy is almost never about philanthropy, it’s about marketing the brand on the back of philanthropic organizations. How is this any different than a bank sponsoring an art exhibition or a credit card company doing “cause related marketing?” Really, where is the story here?
70029334 - July 13, 2010 at 8:31 am
1st Disclaimer – I’m from Ohio,2nd Disclaimer – Mr. James’ choice regarding his future is HIS choice.With that said – I wasn’t interested in all the fan-fare on this event, but deserved or not it has now morphed into a discussion regarding Philanthropy. Why must Philanthropy fit into someone’s limited definition of it? If he kept all the money and spent it on ‘bling’ would that make folks happy?I’ve seen MANY more celebrities give MUCH less, especially when in a position to leverage more. This 25-year-old kid was thoughtful enough to make an ASK (the first rule of fundraising) for a worthy cause. If more of our seasoned volunteers and community leaders would do the same (encouraging Corporate Responsibility) our communities might be much better off.