Halstead Property

Diane M. Ramirez
President
dramirez@halstead.com
(212) 381-3203

Using Charity To Recruit Lebron

At midnight tonight, the basketball star LeBron James will become one of the most sought-after athletes in history.

Mr. James, already a global superstar for the Cleveland Cavaliers, is expected to receive offers from NBA franchises in Chicago, Cleveland, Miami, New York and Los Angeles.

And much of the sports world is waiting anxiously to see where he chooses to play next season.

In the event that Mr. James's decision is motivated not just by money, fame, or the prospect of winning an NBA title, a real-estate company is appealing to his sense of charity as he attempts to choose from an array of lucrative offers.

Halstead Property, a real-estate company in New York, has put together a slick video that offers Mr. James a sweetener should he choose to sign with the New York Knicks.

"We are so taken by LeBron's philanthropic efforts and community outreach that we will donate our full company portion of the commission from the purchase of his home, which could amount to over six figures, to the charity of his choice," the company says on its Web site. "As a result, we can make a difference both on and off the court."

Will that be enough to entice Mr. James to bring his game to New York?

If he truly cares about winning, probably not.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010