Already boasting back-to-back world championships, consecutive Finals MVP awards, and a pair of Olympic gold medals, LeBron James can claim to be No. 1 in yet another category.
LeBron James has No. 1-selling NBA jersey in the world
The King tops the latest list of global jersey sales for the first time ever.
Christian Petersen
The NBA has released its numbers on top-selling jerseys worldwide for last season, and for the first time ever, James is at the top of the list.
James's No. 6 Miami Heat jersey beat out the likes of, in order, Derrick Rose, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and teammate Dwyane Wade. James also topped out domestic sales, though Rose was the top-seller in China, Latin America and Europe, according to the league's news release.
The rankings are based off Adidas’ global sales during the 2012-13 NBA season.
Despite being the consensus top player in the league for years, James has suffered an image problem since his controversial and much-publicized decision to leave his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers in favor of the talent-rich Heat before the 2010-11 season. The hike in jersey sales is a good sign that his popularity is beginning to recover.
The announcement comes in advance of the upcoming “Global Games” schedule, an ambitious tour of international NBA games designed to elevate the league’s popularity around the world. Beginning Oct. 5, 10 teams will participate in 12 preseason and regular season games in locations including London, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai and Mexico City.
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