According to an University of Illinois economist, “The Choosen One” could bring $2.7 billion to Chicago if he plays with the Bulls for six years and can lead the Bulls deep into the playoffs each season with a few titles along the way.
“Chicago has to convince LeBron that he can win championships there,” says Paul Swangard, managing director of the University of Oregon’s Warsaw Sports Marketing Center. “To maximize his off-court earning potential, it’s all about getting rings.”
Another title for the Bulls could also boost the Bulls value by 20% to 50%, to somewhere between $613 million and $760 million, based on Forbes estimate of the franchise’s worth. When the Miami Heat won their title in 2006, the team’s value shot up more than 45% over two years.
H/N Chicago Business
