May 23, 2013

Akron, Ohio Removes “Home of LeBron James” Sign

July 11, 2010 by 62 Comments

“Akron, Ohio Will Always Be My Home”
- LeBron James, May 2, 2010, accepting his second consecutive MVP trophy at the University of Akron

Judging by the purely unaltered photo above, it appears that Akron, Ohio surely has their say in the matter.  Once embracing James as the son who could do no wrong, it is becoming more evident – despite James’ best efforts at keeping Akron and Cleveland separate – that both Ohio cities are completely disgusted by the events of the last 72-plus hours.

The two-time MVP is officially “homeless.”

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Updated image via Jacob Rosen/WFNY

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  • tboyes

    @22 – I would almost guarantee it was stolen. They kept disappearing after they first went up. I drive that way a lot and haven’t noticed one in a long time. Then again, I haven’t been looking either.

  • wkms2004

    @50 re:Many of us have lived and/or traveled to many places across this country. I, for one, have traveled all over the US and I can tell you with absolute certainty that I would NEVER live in Florida under any circumstances.

    Laura-Not to say that the Cleaveland area does not have its good points not that I witnessed any while I was there. I too have traveled across the US as well as abroad. My sentiment towards Ohio is much the same as yours towards Florida. You must admit that the culture, weather and entertainment is much more suited for a 25 year old millionaire than Cleaveland. In the words of Joakim Noah, “who says they are going to Cleaveland for vacation?” We have had numerous athletes in Florida that have left to play for other teams and we don’t personally attack them for it. We are still proud of the them regardless of where their career takes them. A large number of high caliber athletes are from Florida, as you should know seeing as how Ohio State can’t seem to beat the Gators, and they go elsewehre to play and we don’t burn jerseys and act like a bunch babies. Keep in mind that the Heat came very close to loosing D. Wade. If the shoe had been on the other foot, most rational people would understand it is a business decision. The Cavs, as well as the fans, would have shown no loyalty to Lebron had his career been at the end. As soon as he was no longer an asset, you all would have been screaming to trade him.

  • http://www.twitter.com/core013 Laura

    Whether or not the culture, weather, and entertainment are more suited to a 25 year old millionaire is completely a matter of personal preference. If I was a 25 year old millionaire, I’d still take Cleveland over Florida. I know tons of people who would agree. Obviously, LeBron doesn’t. Oh well.

    I’m sure there are some crazies out there who are attacking LeBron for leaving, but I haven’t heard anyone do that. I don’t know how many times we can reiterate that the reason we are upset is the way he did it. We’re not just blowing smoke. LeBron has the right to play wherever he wants. Did I want him to stay? Of course. Do I think he made the right business decision? No, but it’s not my life. Am I losing any sleep over him no longer being a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers? Absolutely not. If he had done this in a way that was more similar to this http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/?p=30943 I would be sorry to see him go but I would be thanking him for 7 great years of basketball and wishing him well in his career.

    As far as LeBron at the end of his career is concerned, you can’t possibly know how we would react. But in my 29 years as a Cleveland sports fan, I’ve seen the people of this city react the exact opposite way when it comes to aging fan favorites. Ask some Clevelanders how they felt (and still feel) about losing people like Bernie Kosar or Omar Vizquel, just to name a couple.

  • wkms2004

    Laura- I guess we are just going to have to agree to disagree. As far as not hearing anyone attacking Lebron for leaving, what do you call most of the post on this site? Could Lebron have notified the Cavs of his intentions in a more personal way, sure but once again, I find it hard to believe that Lebron would have been given any more of a fair notice had the owners of the Cavs decided to let him go. And for Bernie and Omar, it was a different era, some of which I wish we as fans could see return. There was a mutual respect back then that went both ways. When Bernie left the Hurricanes we did not expect him to remain and play for the Miami Dolphins. That just isn’t realistic to think that all atheletes will remain in the city that they started in. The sports industry has changed significantly since Bernie and Omar were relevant. Not to mention Bernie Kosar was no Lebron James. And I do say that with the upmost respect as I know Bernie persoanlly and think highly of him. I am sure you are aware that Bernie is also a part time south Florida resident. Once again, yes, Lebron could have handled the situation more tactfully, but Mr. Gilbert can not go without some sort of blame. Doesn’t it make you wonder why he left a team where he played for 7 years, where he basically grew up, where he was adorned by the entire state, for millions less. Yes, I know I have been knocking Cleaveland, but after all is said and done, I find it nearly impossible to believe he would have come to Miami (eventhough our weather is great) if everything was as wonderful as some would have you believe. It just doesn’t add up. It has been nice exchanging opinions with you, and honestly, I really didn’t think Cleaveland was all that bad 8-) You guys just need to cut Lebron a little slack and let it go! It sure will make for an interesting rivalry.

  • http://itireakron@yahoo.com michael

    Sorry to burst bubbles but that specific sign on west market by revere road heading east has been gone for more than a year. Don and the city didn’t take any signs down.

  • http://Yahoo.com Cindi

    As for Jesse Jackson, he doesn’t speak for all black folk. Gilbert, is not a slave owner at the amount of money he paid Labron. Labron, owed Gilbert the respect after being on his team of letting him know that he planned to leave.Just say “I am going to leave”. And that would have made him a MAN. not a 25 year old inmature person. His actions were inmature. People in Cleveland would have excepted that better than not giving Gilbert any respect. After all he disrespected those loyal fans who paid $100.00 or more dollars for each game. They will continue to support the Cavs, because they are that kind of town. Thank you Gilbert.

  • jimkanicki

    This ‘it’s a business’ line is being milked to excuse any number of sins. It’s as though ethics in business are that much different from ethics in.. life. Let’s look at this.

    Sport is indeed a business. But what is the product this particular business is selling? Sports?… meh. My son’s youth hockey is a sport I can watch for free. Remarkable athletics? The Will Mastic Trio was amazing athletically.. but wasn’t in the sports business. Competition? I can get that watching Adobe and Apple swing at each other.

    Why do we care about our sports teams? Why root for Cleveland and not Kansas City? It’s because this BUSINESS is built on primitive, human, tribal loyalty. As Frowns touched on, it’s being able to say ‘my place was the best.’ it a subconsciously emotional feeling (ie, primitive). it’s strong enough to make people buy the colors of their tribe/community. and then WEAR THOSE COLORS ON THEIR BODIES AS CLOTHING.

    (think about that.)

    so it’s this emotion that creates the demand for the product of this BUSINESS.

    yeah it’s a business, michael wilbon. but let’s not be naive about what the business sells.

    and so when an athlete builds his ‘brand’ playing to sense of community and loyalty… and then leaves for less money and jetskis… that community will feel not just hurt. that community will feel exploited. after all this BUSINESSMAN sold his BRAND to us under false pretenses.

  • cbrown

    agree with 56 and @ 41 we are Cleveland fans, that means something, we have seen enough crap with our sports that people should know by now we are loyal to our city. The False Prophet left childishly and now has to live with the consequences, he said all that mattered was that he was happy and so now he is. But his selfish and childish way of leaving leaves a nasty taste in the mouths of those who supported him. And so yeah we are not happy and he is no longer one of us: HIS choice not ours. He decided during the last two Celtic games not to show up.

  • LOQuent

    Here’s a quick question: If Gilbert could write like that (and speak to the AP) immediately after hearing where he decided to go would you want to work for him? Since we don’t know the behind the scenes of that organization wouldn’t it be fair to assume that LeBron knew the ‘true’ Dan Gilbert before he started showing his immaturity via his teen angst letter? If any of you all saw the documentary on his high school team/friends wouldn’t it also make sense that maybe he just wanted to have fun with friends again?

    As much moaning as I hear about “How he did it” I rarely hear any reasons as to why he should have stayed. The Cavs organization has made an insane amount of money off of his brand and in the process tried to do a quick fix to get him a championship ring in hopes that he states. When you look at the team you need to ask yourself what’s the core? How can he pull off championships with a team that constantly defers to him? If I were LeBron I would have left and the current choice will ensure a few more years of him at his peak since he won’t be (like D.Wade has) relied to clock the most minutes in order to win. As a Pistons fan I can only say that you all should have been gracious about him leaving and thank him for his years of service, like we were when Big Ben left in the middle of our title runs.

    Either way it’s entertaining to watch Ohio reinvent hate into a mutant version of itself. Plus every time Gilbert opens his mouth he alienates any chance of you all being able to get any stars of worth because they’ll know how he truly is. Good luck on your season and I’ll be watching when he comes to Cleveland :-)

  • K

    The sign was vandalized with “Akron Hates You”… of course they’re going to take it down.

  • WasAHeatFan

    A Cavs Fan .. and ‘was’ a Heat fan. Lebron can no longer call himself King James – as D’Wade is and always will be the Miami King. James is now what….. COURT JESTER JAMES? Now my favorite team (after the Cavs) will be whatever teams is playing the Heat. I have no problem with him leaving…. as all have said – it is the way he disgraced him hometown doing it. For someone who once claimed ” I am not a ring chaser – I will bring it Cleveland ” HA! He has shown that HE can’t do it without being the sidekick to someone who can.

  • Nocks

    Lebron James = Wade’s Pippen!

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