The Impact of Lebron James: How He Redefined the Role of a Father Figure in America

This will be the 22nd season of the NBA for Lebron James and this time he is making history not just because it is season number 22, it’s because his son Bronny will play with him this season. For the first time, a father and son will play in the NBA together. This feat will make Lebron the unofficial father figure of American sports for all marketing purposes.

Lebron James has been a brand since his high school days, he was the most decorated NBA prospect of this century before being drafted in 2003. Selling out arenas even before entering the professional league. But this is not a post to celebrate his athletic achievements, there are hundreds of sports websites and channels that will do that job better than me. I am fascinated by the brilliant family man image Lebron and his team have created for him.

When Lebron entered the league, the myth of Michael Jordan was still at its peak. Michael was known as a ruthless killer on the court. Someone who has no mercy for the opponents or his own teammates during practices. Michael’s marketing team marketed that image of him all over the world and did a fantastic job at that. Till today Michael Jordan is the greatest sporting brand in the world. Legendary players who came after Michael and before Lebron such as Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Allen Iverson tried to follow Michael Jordan’s brand image. By portraying similar approaches to the sport, the media, and fans. It felt like anyone with potential for greatness is trying to be Michael Jordan 2.0.

 That is where Lebron James stood out. Since day 1 Lebron stuck to the script of ‘A kid from Akron’ a title that Lebron gave himself. Hearing that title makes anyone root for the kid coming from a little town in Cleveland. This could be my assumption, but I’d say Lebron or somebody in his corner figured out that there is an absence of a devoted family man in the American sports spectrum. All the legendary players I mentioned above were embroiled in some controversy or other at the time. Lebron chose to grab that spot and become the perfect sports star family man like no one has been able to.

But it is easier said than done, Lebron James has lived and thrived in the international spotlight for longer than any athlete we have seen. The impressive part is that he did it all without any controversy of any kind. No scandals, no foul behavior with competitors or teammates, no affairs – an ideal human being through and through. Smartly pulling his family in the limelight with him whenever he gets a chance. There is a reason why everyone knows his family by name and face all over the West.

These tactics have established Lebron as the unofficial father figure for America. The ideal human who believes in community and family. For example, episode 4 of the Netflix documentary ‘Starting 5’ is called Father Christmas, and more than half of it is dedicated to the family man that Lebron is. How he pranks his kids and spends time with them on holidays. Of course he does not do it for the cameras, but subtly gives out the message of being ‘The Ultimate Family Man’.

Learning- Stick to a niche you have found, then mold your life according to it with discipline.