i really don't chew all that much gum
february 27, 2004 @
00:16
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The undeniably gifted LeBron James inked another big money endorsement deal the other day. This time around he's planting his image on some good old fashioned chewing gum. My understanding is that he's mostly going to whore for Bubblicious, but Trident, Dentyne, and an as-of-yet undeveloped sports-gum-like product may also end-up being part of the mix.
[Related Aside] I remember when I first tried "sports gum". It was when I played hockey as a kid. Some other hockey playing kid brought this 'quench' gum to practice or something. It was basically worthless when you played because chewing gum with a mouthgard in your mouth is impossible, so we'd all save it and chew it after we got off the ice. I think the idea was that the gum was supposed to be so sour that it made you salivate and than you'd drink your saliva to rehydrate or something. Gross, yes, but that didn't stop me from begging to go to Herman's to get my own 10-pound box. [End Aside]
Anyhoo, this new deal will net LeBron a cool $5 million. That's some serious flash for agreeing to let people put your picture on a 5-pack of Gonzo Grape, eh? You wonder if guys who make such huge endorsement money ever start feeling guilty. Or maybe just start feeling like a tool. I bet they do. Then I bet they go count their money and the moment passes pretty quick like.
I wonder if I'll sell-out?
And I wonder if the money could really be better used? I'm sure people have self-righteously thought - and most likely blogged - about how the $5M would be better spent on a Bubbicious Women's Shelter or something. But who's to say LeBron won't give back, too? I bet he does. Ok, not right away I don't, but I bet he will someday. But give him a break. He's still in that "buy my mom a huge house" phase, and once that passes, I picture him as monster philanthropist. Or at the very least an NBA Hall of Famer. One of those two has gotta be true.
And am I the only one thinking about the poor gum-factory workers? Chew some LeBron gum, people! Those workers need us!
Bubblicious deal reportedly worth $5 million [espn]
240-piece tub of Quench Gum - $27.40 [onlinesports]