Report: LeBron James considering bid for players' union president
LeBron James reportedly wants to see major changes in the NBA players' union. (Noel Celis/Getty Images)
LeBron James is "mulling" a bid to become president of the NBA players' union, according to a report from Jason Whitlock.
The four-time Most Valuable Player is enjoying the heights of his NBA career, including back-to-back league titles, but he reportedly sees an opportunity to be a force in changing the union's direction.
From FOX Sports:
“It’s something he has talked about with a small group of people,” a source with close ties to James told FOXSports.com on Wednesday. “He was very vocal at the meeting during the All-Star Weekend about the need for the union to dramatically change. There is a new executive director coming in and new commissioner. He recognizes that this is the time for the union to change.”
Current NBPA president Derek Fisher is considered unlikely to seek another term after signing a new contract with the Thunder and being subject to a lawsuit filed by former executive director Billy Hunter. Hunter was ousted in February after a nine-month investigation reported conflicts of interest and questionable business and financial practices.
Whitlock reported a list of candidates for the NBPA's executive director Monday.
From FOX Sports:
Led by 18-year veteran Jerry Stackhouse, the NBPA has narrowed its options to former NBA coach and league executive Stu Jackson, Pistons legend and former NBA coach Isiah Thomas, former Madison Square Garden executive Steve Mills and Charlotte Bobcats president Fred Whitfield, FOXSports.com has learned. Sports attorney David Cornwell is said to be a longshot candidate.
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The union could seek to elect its new president as early as late August during summer meetings in Las Vegas.
From FOX Sports:
“It’s something he has talked about with a small group of people,” a source with close ties to James told FOXSports.com on Wednesday. “He was very vocal at the meeting during the All-Star Weekend about the need for the union to dramatically change. There is a new executive director coming in and new commissioner. He recognizes that this is the time for the union to change.”
Stepping forward to take a prominent role could help James lure other superstar players to be more active with the union, but the report qualifies his eventual decision to seek the presidency as "unlikely."
From FOX Sports:
The source close to James cautioned that he thinks it’s “unlikely” James will decide to seek the presidency. “LeBron doesn’t do anything halfway and he has serious concerns about whether he has the time he knows the job requires,” the source said. “The demands on LeBron’s time are already substantial. Whether it’s formally or informally, LeBron has strong opinions on the future of the union and will be very active in the rebuilding process.”
