In order to sign James, hundreds of employees of Nike spent several months * * * working together to create a planning scheme. Morris, then a senior sneaker designer in Nike Basketball Division, said that it was the most magnificent bidding plan he had ever seen.
According to his recollection, phil knight, CEO of Nike at that time, used his new office that he had not moved into as a showcase for recruiting James. On the big screen, there will be an exclusive welcome speech designed for James, while at the other end of a long corridor, Nike's Michael Jordan, Buckley, Pippen, Penny and other star products will be displayed.
Morris recalled: "You can see that all the sneakers on display were directed to a display box in the center of the end, with a spotlight on it, but nothing in it. The box is empty, as if to say,' Your Superman suit is waiting for you-if you are ready for it.'
The left side of the display box area leads to a conference room, which contains a series of products printed with LeBron's exclusive trademark, including but not limited to basketball, backpacks, sunglasses, towels, shorts, bathrobes and swimsuits. "They made exclusive underwear for this guy," Morris said with emotion. "I didn't even know we made underwear."
It is worth mentioning that in order to make the best impression on James, Nike even found out James' favorite cereal brand. If James needs to take a break to enjoy snacks, Nike will take out his favorite Fruity Pebbles cereal. Morris said that they wouldn't miss any detail. Anything they speculated that James might think of, someone had to make sure that James could use or experience it.
In the room on the right side of the display box area, there are color models of James' Hummer H2, a lion fur collection, and many sketches of exclusive combat boots designed by Nike's top sneaker designers. "That is definitely the greatest exhibition I have ever seen." Goodwin, then James' agent, commented.
In the end, James was moved by Nike's strength and sincerity and chose to join hands with it. Just after being elected as the number one scholar, James couldn't wait to put on Nike's full set of equipment when he was interviewed on live TV. When James made his debut in the NBA regular season in October 23, he had put on his signature boots and started his legendary journey.
Fifteen years later, the empty display box was filled by James. Its brilliant light symbolizes the highest commercial value that contemporary stars can have.