Dan Gilbert is not pleased with LeBron. Here’s the link to the letter in the original font. Below is the letter in its entirety.
Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;
As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.
This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his “decision” unlike anything ever “witnessed” in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.
Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.
The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.
There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.
You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.
You have given so much and deserve so much more.
In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:
“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE”
You can take it to the bank.
If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our “motivation” to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.
Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.
Sorry, but that’s simply not how it works.
This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown “chosen one” sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And “who” we would want them to grow-up to become.
But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called “curse” on Cleveland, Ohio.
The self-declared former “King” will be taking the “curse” with him down south. And until he does “right” by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.
Just watch.
Sleep well, Cleveland.
Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day….
I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:
DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue….
Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers
—-
Our complete set of 642-691 certification guides you to pass your real 642-661 exam & 642-072 dumps. We also provide HP0-Y42 exam guide and 70-648 dumps material.
One more thing – for Dan Gilbert to find out about Lebron’s decision this way was incredible. A big slap on the face to the guy who tried everything he could, to get Lebron the people HE wanted.
Lebron was completely classless and egotistical. To put all of his fans through this misery and not even have the decency to tell Gilbert was a sign of the kind of person he truly is. We all saw it on the Chicago series – he had already made up his mind, and in the Boston series he just quit…
Tell me it wasn’t about the money when most of the products promoted on the special were being promoted by him. Tell me he is not expecting to create an incredible propaganda show from this day on. Tell me this wasn’t already predetermined after the ’08 olympics. It was all a big marketing scam with Wade and Bosh having documentaries crews following them around… It was all for the money and the fame. Yes he left money behind in Cleveland, but I bet he already made that
much back with all the promos on the special… And only a “portion” of the proceeds were going to the boys and girls club.
Dan Gilbert is certifiable. Want to know who to blame? Start with yourself Gilbert. You failed to attract a supporting cast that could go all the way. DUH.
Is Delonte West, Mo Williams, a burned out Shaq and co the best you could do? The guy gave you seven years – your sense of urgency only kicked in a couple of years ago. Are you seriously telling me someone like Cuban would have sat around with his thumb up his backside while the leagues best talent waited for personnel? Hell no.
Dan Gilbert is a billionaire. I bet he’s made plenty of cold, harsh but sensible business decisions before. You know – like booting the coach and getting rid of Ferry. Don’t tell me if he wasn’t willing to do more, earlier the Cavs may already have won a chip… instead of a chip on their shoulder.
As for LeBron being noncommittal throughout the process, Gilbert’s inability to seal the deal made it a no-win situation for him. Either rescind his rights to a championship in the next 3-4 years by getting engaged in the process of selecting a new coach etc, or keep at arm’s distance to avoid any accusations of betrayal.
LeBron’s whole decision TV thing was ill advised, but then again so was the sequence of events that lead him to making his choice. Gilbert’s failure to lure in talent – combined with his obvious and inept attempts to paint and guilt LeBron into committing to the Cavs again must have gone a long way to offsetting his desire to avoid upsetting fans.
I think it’s utterly disgraceful that Gilbert is trying to paint himself as the victim here. Cavs fans who patronised his games and bought LeBron merchandise – totally understandable to feel betrayed. Billionaire owner playing sports mogul? No sympathy whatsoever,
Wow – you fans who still admire lbj and kiss his azz – i really feel sorry for you! I thought I’d drop by and see people who are sick of this egomaniac. But no – I see a bunch of losers still backin him up. No wonder he left – you guys are idiiots. You don’t even know when you’re getting reamed in the butt!!!!
I first felt sorry for cavs fans but you guys back lbj instead of dan gilbert. lol!!
Oh yea – we’re still going to kick miami’s ass so keep rooting for the queen!! LOL!!
“The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.”
Please buy the Indians now!
Quicken Loans must own most of Florida, right? Start putting those underwater homeowners under.
@ celtics fan
feel sorry for yourself because you will be facing lots of good eastern teams next year. if you faced Orlando in the eastern finals last year, you may not even make it to the eastern finals next year. LOL!!!
@ celtics fan
i forgot to say, you’re old big 3 might not even make it to the finals next year, plus your injured center. LOL!!!! you’re talking of the queen? the queen is in your team – the best flopper of all.
I’m a sixers fan but with all the hate from cleveland fans i don’t blame lebron for leaving you, what were you guys hoping for?? You booed him on his home court in the finals what the hell sort of fans do that? cleveland’s cap space is wrecked and they have no flexibilty to build a contender, it’s just lebron and the misfits. They should have built a solid young team around him ages ago like rose with the bulls and KD with the thunder.
The only people to blame are the incompetent front office of the cavs. You never hired a good coach, mike brown should have been fired years ago and replaced with someone who knows what they are doing and commands respect.
Lebron gave you seven years of his best he owes you nothing, show some appreciation. His future in terms of success looked bleak in cleveland he instead chose to take LESS money SACRIFICE his statistics and his individual awards in the pursuit of team success. The way the majority of fans have acted along with the owner is nothing short of disgraceful and shows that no star would ever come join this organization…
First off I’m f#!@%’ furious about the news that lbj abandoned Cleveland for Miami! (even though I’m a Lakers fan and resident of Los Angeles). I honestly feel horrible for the fans and residents of Cleveland, its difficult economic condition, and it quesionable economic future because of that losers abandonment of the city. It was an obvious choice to return to “his city”, the place he was born and raised and nurtured by loyal fans. I thought he had the opportunity to make strides by work with the city of Cleveland to create jobs and to help develop those areas hit by the dwindling economy all while working towards winning the Championship. Magic Johnson in Los Angeles placed his efforts & money to create jobs to needy neighborhoods and brought in respectable retailers like Starbucks, 24 Hour Fitness as well as movie theatres to help revamp the local community and its image. Originally, like many thought he was a exceptional basketball player of high character and loyalty, especially to a place he called home. Now its apparent that was just a typical two faced loser who embarrassed the people of Cleveland as he declared his decision to play in Miami in front of millions during his one hour decision special. I suppose it was meant to be for him to play and live in Miami, the land of douches just like him! I can only pray that Dan Gilbert and the Cavs management team can eventually bring a few strong pieces to the Cavs and come through on his promise to win a championship before the Miami Heat!
Nothing is cracking me up more than multiple sixers fans getting on Cleveland for being upset. DO YOU IDIOTS EVEN KNOW WHERE THE TEAMS YOU SUPPORT EXIST???DO YOU KNOW WHAT PHILLY DOES TO ITS’ PLAYERS (and Santa) EVERY DAY??? YOu just ran McNabb out of team. You boo’d Jeff Garcia WHILE HE WAS WINNING YOU A PLAYOFF GAME!!!Plz stop bringing this bullshit in here.
And then we have to deal with Maverick fans too.
How well has Cubes done at putting together a winner in Dallas? Hasn’t gone to great has it. next.
You would be pissed too if you just lost a hundred million dollars!
Tim and Maverick pretty much hit the nail on the head, so I can’t really add anything on. The Cavs owner’s response and the Cleveland fans’ response is downright disgusting and unprofessional. This ni**a gave u motherf***ers 7 YEARS of his life and this is how you turn around and take it?? Burning his jersery!?! ( I got a flashback from Mississipi Burning) You assh**es just proved to him that he made THE RIGHT DECISION. Championship!? PLEASE!! Get off the crack homeboy! Now u wanna get off your a** and do something? EHHHHH!!!! TOO LATE!!! Cleveland management should be getting lynched!! Dont hate LeBron, hate these jerk-offs that own the team and did’nt do sh*t on time!! 7 YEARS!!! What? You want him to be like Ewing in the Knicks? Shot knees, old as f*ck and no ring? F*ck That!! MIAMI ALL THE WAY BABY!!! THANK YOU FOR GIVING US A TRULY HISTORIC TEAM AND A REAL REASON TO WATCH NBA BASKETBALL!!!!!
I can’t believe that Lebron or Maverick Carter didn’t have the respect to tell ESPN NOT to put cameras in Cleveland.
As far as Dan Gilbert saying what he said, I like it. I’m a Cavs fan for life, and I want the owner to believe in his team. Imagine if this had happened to Cuban…you can bet he would have fired away. Professionalism? That got thrown out the moment Lebron decided to publicly sucker punch his home state.
http://www.cavsplanet.com
Dan Gilbert reminds me of Edison Miranda Vs. Lucian Bute..watch it on you.tube… Edison took a left to the stomach and tried to act like he wasn’t hurt, when in fact he was. (I’m an Edison fan I might add) But you guys are SALTY, I cant blame u though. But yeah, it sucks to be a Cavs fan right now :D
I could talk about this letter for hours but to sum it up ill say FUCK YOU FERRY! Its your fault that you didnt surround him with better players. Come on now. Shaq and Jamison? Really? Their ages add up to like 100 or something what a joke. And you cant just hate on a guy that owns almost every Cavs record that exists. You just made a fool of yourself. Lebron made the right DECISION. He doesnt to waste his entire career in Cleveland. HE WANTS TO WIN NOW!!!! Miami will be a LEGIT CONTENDER FOR YEARS TO COME. IT WILL BE MIAMI-LA in the finals for many years to come
I used to be a Cavs fan but now im not because….. Im shocked that you guys actually expected him to stay. I mean come on! I truly feel sorry for Cavs fans. The city of Cleveland is going to get screwed over financially if it isnt already is
DAMMIT I CANT GET OVER THE FACT THAT EVERYONE IS HATING. IF AN ENTIRE STATE IS FUCKED OVER BECAUSE OF ONE PLAYER THAN THE TEAM WAS SET UP THE WRONG WAY. YOU CANT WIN WITH ONE FUCKING PLAYER
I wish the Cavs the worst luck ever. I used to be a Cavs fan but not anymore. Lebron tried for 7 years but he could not carry a team of role players to a ship. GOOOO MIAMII!!!! HELL YEAH!! DYNASTY!!!!
HAVE FUN IN THE CELLAR FOR MANY YEARS TO COME!!! i feel so bad for saying all of this :( the only thing wrong with lebrons decision was the national tv thing.
PEACE OUT!!!! THANKS FERRY! CAVS-HEAT GAMES ARE GOING TO BE SO INTENSE NOW….for at least half of the 1st quarter . I truly wish that the city of Cleveland will be able to recover financially from this devastating blow. As for the basketball team, I hope you guys dont even reach 10 wins!!!
Dan Gilbert needs to take a good hard look at himself in the mirror and give himself a nice big uppercut. LBJ gave you SEVEN (7) years Gilbert and in that time you failed miserably in putting a good enough team around him that would have him decide to stay in Miami. You can bet your bottom dollar Gilbert that players talk and your lack of respect and egotistical tirade now that Lebron has gone will at best probably allow you to recruit Charles Barkley or maybe even a Ron Tarpley if you are that lucky. Your comment also that the Cavs will win an NBA championship before Miami is a bigger JOKE than Conan O’brien. If Cleveland wins an NBA championship before Miami I will walk naked backwards across America raising funds for the charity of your choice. This guy gave you 7 really solid years and to say he quit in the playoffs, well your basketball no-how is about as good as your business sense.
Today’s been an excellent example why I (A Cavs Fan) would have run for the hills (or beach, I suppose) if given the opportunity. 1st: If every analyst predicts that the #1 team in the league is now in the running for the #1 overall pick because 1 player left, it’s a sign that that roster had no business being #1 if not for the transcendent greatness of that player. That’s not an easy load to carry, nor one that he should be expected to. The team has given him nothing, and all they could have given him would have come from him in the first place. 2nd: When a player who cannot win for 7 years in one place because of the admitted inferiority of his organization and roster decides to leave and accomplish his goals and it incites riots and burning jerseys and effigies, jerseys burned by fans who bought them as a tribute to their favorite son, it’s a sign that son was never truly accepted. Why would LeBron stay? He wasn’t going to win, and even if he did it would have been the expected payment for whatever the fans think they’ve given him over the years. If he left, he was doomed to the wrath of shortsighted fans and owners more backstabbing and hypocritical than their wildest accusations of him. Cleveland expected to hold LeBron hostage with their scorn as the gun and their cheers as blackmail. I’d run as fast as I could. 3rd: If the same owner who has reminded you of his love and devotion, who has supported and promoted your fame and gained considerable wealth in doing so, who has sucked every bit of fame and fortune from your talent, turns instantly upon you with the wildest and least intelligent insults and accusations in his limited and insipid arsenal, it’s a sign that he and the organization he represents were never really interested in you in the first place, but merely the benefit you brought them. Yes, “The Decision” was lame (but donated millions to children, more than you can say for yourself) but ultimately the pettiness, the backstabbing, the hypocrisy, the shame should all be heaped upon the Cavaliers, their fans, and their owner. What a classless and petty group of individuals. Why would LeBron have wanted to stay? I can’t see any reason.
Shane,
Ex-Cav’s fan.
Dan Gilbert SLAVERY IS OVER, RUN NEGRO RUN IS OVER!
you may not have gotten the memo, the economic crisis won’t shake you, this isn’t about Lebron James, it’s about your narcissitic, over bearing, inflated ego. You do what’s best for you, why can’t the young man do what’s best for him. How deplorable can you be to lash out at a player who for 7 years sold out arenas and you marketed and bank rolled on like your personal piggy bank. GET OVER IT, you are a miserable, unprofessional and a sorry excuse of a human being. How dare you? so you believe you OWNED him like your cattle for slaughter to parade on the stage, oiled and pumped?
I find your comments to be RACIST and INSULTIVE and OUT OF PLACE. You think your money earns you the right to OWN and CONTROL people and then like an angered SLAVE MASTER you have the unmitigated gall to whine and yell? man please. What have you given to CLeveland, Ohio in comparison to LEBRON. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, you make me sick!
That title guarantee is crazier than Mike Tysons eye tattoo.
Jesus Christ, it’s like 1996 in here.
All you morons need to realize its not about the specific decision LeBron made, but the completely vaginal and classless way that he did it. The last week proved he is either (1) heartless or (2) a moron. There’s a lot of revisionist history going on here with the way the team was managed — people seem to forget where the “WIN NOW!” pressure in the Cavs front office was coming from. Gilbert opened up his pocketbook and payed the luxury tax each year he was here. They went after every piece they could, but Congressmen James (King or Queen suggest nobility, definitely not a trait LeBron should be associated with) would not commit to Cleveland and therefore no one wanted to come.
Congressmen James is in Miami now, go wax his knob there.
Anybody and everybody would have done the same thing. Let me think, do I want to live in Cleveland or Miami? Cleveland has the ugliest people, with nothing to do. Miami has beautiful weather, beautiful people, lots to do….. Cleveland is a dump. Plain and simple. Been there, lived there, it’s terrible. Even the Detroit area has more to offer.
wow Dan Gilbert is an idiot,labron fulfilled his contract he doesn’t owe the cavs or fans anything,if anything u how him six years of great b-ball i didnt even know Cleveland had a team until then,so quit your wining and blame the organisation for not putting a championship team around him,all these wining makes u sound like a classless city.
My sympathies to all Cavs fans. What a gut-punch. Although Gilbert sounds a bit cracked.
@clevelandloveslebronstill—
Perhaps you don’t get the idea that slaves don’t get paid $100million. This isn’t about slavery/ownership. Its about the way this was handled. Dan Gilbert’s angry rant aside, Lebron knew he was leaving. He knew he wanted to go to Miami. Instead of stringing everyone along he should have made the deal on July 1 and moved on without the public spectacle. And he should have told Gilbert, who appears to have spent the last 5 years trying to appease James, about his plans prior to the start of his tv ‘special.’ Yeah, he donated to charity, but he could afford to do that without this stupid tv show.
@anh
you wrote:
“but what if lebron really just wanted to have fun playing ball with his good friends and not carrying the Cavs night in and night out?”
Then he should have held a simple press conference on July 1 announcing his intentions and giving the other interested teams, including his home team, the opportunity to move on and do something else. A lot of people thought he would leave, but this is almost as bad as the way the Colts left Baltimore. Both James and Modell will forever be vilified in Cleveland.
Hey celtics fan your an idiot. LeBron never had any help to get the job done in cleveland. And you think your gonna beat Miami when you cant even beat the Lakers? hahah good joke. The celtics “big three” has no become crumbs. Miami is going to ruin them! LeBron made the right move. Dan gilbert is just being a big cry baby and making a fool out of himself. Ya blame the loss to the celtics all on LeBron thats easy enough right? Ya LeBron made the Cavs. If it werent for him they would have never seen the playoffs. Gilbert messed around for seven years and didnt provide LeBron with a fresh player to help him win. Now its time for LBJ to go win championships that hes worked for. Screw the Cavs theyll never win a championship before LeBron.
man all you cavs fan all of you all are basically saying yall dont have any faith in the rest of the team. one man cant do it all, especially if is not a selfish player like a certain nba player. this man needed help and obviously the owner couldnt find so lebron took it in hands and went to a team he belives has all the help he need. atleast he tries to share the spotlight with the rest of his team. its kind of hard to win a championship all by yourself especially when you are playing with a team that is capable of but @ the 1st sign of a challenge they fold up as easy as a piece of paper. also i am pretty sure all of u knew he was not going to spend his whole career in cleveland. sure thats his hometown so what. this man wants a ring and the cavs did not want. 1 man cant do it by himself. he is not a kobe bryant. and the part bout the cavs winning a ring b4 lebron the owner must be is about to either bout to bring micheal jordan out of retirement or sign kobe bryant. wich means aint gon happen. just like someone else wrote lebrin made the cavs yall wasnt nothing til he came. so go cry and complain bout something that really matters like gas prices bc lebron is going to do what lebron wants to do he is a grown ass man.
The joke of the day:
“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE”
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Good one Gilbert, very funny.
Despite whatever you think of LeBron….he can move to another team…sure. However, I agree with the words “narcissistic, and self-promotional.” He’s a pussy, weak-egoed wimp. A healthy ego does not do this, but remember an egotisical, narcissistic person, is really not that strong, …they are weak and fragile, and weak. I hope LBJ spends some of his money on personal psychotherapy.
Listen, he gave you seven years to build something. You obviously could not get the job done so your homegrown hero moves a new city with new opportunities and his closest friends and you criticize his decision? I believe the HATERADE is on isle 12.
First of all I want to say is life is too short keep playing a broken record. I feel like TRUE LBJ fans will support him and his decision. I feel like everyone deserves to be happy for themselves but when it does not fit our equation it’s unfair of the individual. Last but not LEAST David Stern needs to release a statement before someone gets hurt or something tragic happens.
Die, Lebron. Never show your face in this state again. The grandmothers club that supported you should beat you with their canes. Never, Never return here. We’ll be better without you.
well lets see.. magic,bird,isah,jordan,duncan,kobe,,wade…all won championships in less than 7 years..all stayed with their original teams..except shaq and jordan (which im not counting the washington years as they were just for his own personal amusement and to be in the spot light a lil longer), garnet ,shaq,allen,payton, and others go chasing rings hoping to be at the right place at the right time. and others like barkley ,ewing,malone never got one , but one thing about all the mentioned before is they all had class… lebron the “king” james(king with no ring???? showed no class at all. not by leaving cleaveland but by doing it the way he did…he likes the spotlight more than anyone.. more than magic more than mj and more than kobe.Even if he wins 7 titles in 10 years he will never be considered beter than magic,bird,duncan,kobe or shaq just to mention a few in recent years..there was a lot of teams he could of gone and win without having to “chase” the ring..he was soo close to winning a titlte with cleaveland winning a title there would of meant more than 7 with the heat…quality not quantity. and by the way having your olimpic buddies play with you dont guarantee you a title we all saw what happened at the olimpic games when they lost to argentina for the gold medal years ago..go blow your hand powder to those florida fools you where the next jordan???i dont even think you can be the next kobe…
has anyone ever given thought to the idea that the cavs couldn’t attract top talent because there was no guarantee from lebron in the last couple years that he would re-sign? blaming Gilbert for Lebron leaving is ridiculous.
What a bunch of cry babies. If I had to play for that owner, I’d bolt too.
Lebron James is a coward. Although he didnt gurantee that he would resign with the cavs. Dan Gilbert is a FUNNY MAN………
“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE”
good one Mr. Gilbert
Also what a bad buisness move Mr. Gilbert now people are scared to play with you because there afraid that this letter will be about them.
I think Dan Gilbert and the stupid Cleveland fans really just need to thank Lebron for the years that he played for the Cavs…Lebron James don’t owe you all anything.
1. Lebron James was DRAFTED by the Cavs. He was required to play for the Cavs! He was unable to pick who he wanted to play for. This isn’t him being loyal, this is him being in an “arranged marriage.” He is a competitor, and played hard each night. By doing this, it opened up many options for his future in the NBA after his initial required tenure in Cleveland. Leaving a city after your contract is up is not being disloyal. It is called moving. People change jobs all the time after a contract is up. If what he did is disloyal, then you must fault Kevin Garnett for leaving Minnesota, Steve Kerr for leaving the Bulls, Big shot Rob for leaving all the teams he won championships with, Ray Allen for leaving Seattle, and …………(should I go on). People in every sport move to a place where they can win. What Lebron did was the most unselfish thing he could do. Take less and improve his chances of winning. If that is selfish and disloyal, sign me up as a bad guy too. Winning is what true competitors are about, and not playing your butt off while an owner licks his chops and makes empty promises. Congrats Lebron! I know you are glad to see the truth that resides in Cleveland. Fair weather fans and owners are never LOYAL to people who have brought great joy to them. Shame on Cleveland for not thanking someone who has been such a positive impact on the community. Shame on them!!!