There really is little else more oblivious than when our nation’s millionaire athletes try to sell us on their plight as millionaire athletes. Maaaaaayyybe when our Hollywood millionaire celebrities make similar claims, but that is about it.
It might approach something close to acceptable were it say, a fifth-stringer on a practice squad, barking about vocational injustice. But when the upper tier players, who earn more than most third world countries for bouncing a ball, are the one complaining it really is time for them to invest in a diamond encrusted ball gag.
Yes, once again a player earning an eight-figure salary is invoking slavery. Because those realities are practically the same. Not sure what Beto O’Rourke backer Lebron James is doing here carping about the NFL, but his ignorance of basic commerce practices is rather stark.
LeBron James on HBO’s The Shop: “In the NFL they got a bunch of old white men owning teams and they got that slave mentality. And it’s like this is my team you do what the fuck I tell y’all to do. Or we get rid of y’all…”
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) December 22, 2018
Now…does King James actually think that a business owner expecting certain performance levels of employees, or they risk termination, is a unique concept in the business world?!
Isn’t that what most jobs are like?
— Tommy Fas (@Tgunz34) December 22, 2018
Weak,not much thought put into this obviously by @KingJames . This is wut owners or employers do.They tell the employee when 2 show up, what to wear, etc…. it’s their call. When u retire and own a team then the shoe will be on yur foot. Michael Jordan might have something 2 say
— Marc F. Wilson (@MFWil) December 22, 2018
That is called business owner mentality.. Lebrun is so talented, he’s been able to do what he wants. That’s not how it works for 99% of jobs/people
— Hunter (@HEMgolf) December 22, 2018
Not to mention, on this point he may be severely lacking in self-awareness.
Isn’t that what LeBron says about his teammates, do what I tell you or I’ll get rid of ya.
— Kevin O'Donovan (@kpodono24) December 22, 2018
Lebron is the employee that quits his company to work for another without giving two weeks notice or helping with transition .
— Larry Sebak (@lsebak18) December 22, 2018
Don’t recall slave owners paying salves millions to play a game. But I do recall Nike hiring sweat shops in China to make lebrons sneakers.
— pipster (@theMYCommish) December 22, 2018
Yea, about that…
Money aside, there is another aspect of Lebron’s attempt at underscoring a non-existent plight: when it came to slavery I’m sure many would not have minded being released by their owner.
Of course, there were plenty who took King James’ side on the matter.
He only speaking big facts 🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️
— COREY (@CWill804) December 22, 2018
Well let’s define their job. They’re paid to play the sport at the highest level. Most of these guys do that. He’s speaking more to the political side of things. The blackballing of players for their views on social issues.
— Nicholas S. (@nsherrill2) December 22, 2018
Name a job outside entertainment where patrons patronize because of employees? Last time i checked nobody goes to wall mart because of there employees?
— oldenough2knowbetter (@iamallenlucas) December 22, 2018
Hmmm…top of the mind here? How about HOOTERS???
Can someone tell me where I can put my application in for this slave position that pays 30 million a year?
— Jared Althouse (@jaredalthouse) December 22, 2018
You have to know somebody.
Are the white players exempt?
— Mike Centamore (@Centamore5) December 22, 2018
Well there you go, muddying up the outrage lecture with facts that do not sit perfectly with the claim!
This this this a 1,000 times this. These Black players have made .@nfl plantation franchise owners filthy rich yet players treated w/ little respect.
— Fruitvale Local (@fruitvalelocal) December 22, 2018
Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees…slaves, the lot of them!
It’s not the nicest way to sum up employee/ employer relationships but it appears to be accurate
— Robert Flores (@rfloreslv) December 22, 2018
Just like these players, those slaves did have a strong union.
Wonder if there are many anticipating the next bit of wisdom from the Lakers star.
LeBron. Thanks for your words of wisdom. But just put the ball in the hoop. Thanks
— Steven Hofemann (@Hofemann1) December 22, 2018
