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Why New Jersey Devils Fans Should Be Interested In Lebron James Free Agency

By Nick Villano |
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 8: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 8, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 8: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 8, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

New Jersey Devils fans are focused on NHL Free Agency this weekend, but that shouldn’t be all. Devils fans should root for LeBron James to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.

It seems like a weird thing to talk about on the eve of NHL Free Agency, but it’s very important. In fact, it could be much more important than any free agent the team could sign this offseason (now that the team is out on John Tavares). LeBron James could change the New Jersey Devils entirely.

How could basketball’s biggest name change a hockey team? Well, money of course.

I’m sure you all know, but in case you don’t, the same person who owns the Devils also owns the Philadelphia 76ers. Josh Harris and David Blitzer have been what most want from owners when it comes to the Devils. They relatively stand out of the way of management, seem willing to spend money and have kept the Devils out of the bankruptcy hell they had with Jeff Vanderbeek.

Now, if they can have some major success by adding LeBron to their basketball side, it could provide extremely profitable. It’s hard to put an exact price on how much LeBron is worth to an NBA franchise, but it has to be a lot. The 76ers already had the third best attendance in the NBA last season. This would no doubt send them to number one. Plus, with LeBron James on the ticket, the team could charge a little more.

Beyond that, the team would make a ridiculous amount in merchandise. James had the second highest selling jersey in the league last season, and would likely jump to number one on a new team.

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There’s no doubt the 76ers would make money hand over fist with LeBron. Harris and Blitzer are worth a ton of money already. It’s not like they NEED more money in order to spend on upgrades for their hockey team, but when there is extra money they’ll be more inclined to spend it.

Who knows what upgrades they are. It could mean some more promotions for Devils games. It could mean being more open to spending on a free agent. The owners could be less inclined to raise ticket prices if their basketball team is making enough money for both franchises.

That’s why Devils fans should pay attention to where LeBron James ends up. The added revenue can only help the owners make moves in their other entities. Especially when those entities are within the sports world. So while we all hope for James Van Riemsdyk and Calvin De Haan, we should also keep an eye on LeBron James.

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