The LeBron James sweepstakes began in earnest last night at midnight in the form of the NBA's free agency period, and Dallas--like every other NBA city in America--is making its pitch for the 25-year-old superstar.
One aspect of the sales pitch peculiar to our city is the presence of the Dallas Cowboys--James's favorite NFL team. James has made no secret of the fact--he drew the ire of some Cleveland fans (and former Browns' receiver Braylon Edwards) by rubbing elbows with Dallas players prior to a game in Cleveland in 2008.
James also watched the first-ever regular season game at Cowboys Stadium, a stone cold bummer of a loss to the New York Giants last September.
Considering, it's no surprise that the presence of "America's Team" has been somewhat of a harped upon selling point in the city's attempt to court "The King." Even Mayor Tom Leppert got into the act recently, placing the Cowboys as the no. 2 reason he should come to Dallas--between the absence in Texas of a personal income tax (3), and that he will personally greet LeBron "with Texas BBQ, Tex-Mex and Sweet Tea on the day [he moves] in! (1)"
In the pitch, part of an open letter to LeBron from the Mayor, which is featured on ESPNDallas.com, Leppert writes, "Cowboys Stadium: You can sit with Roger Staubach for the Super Bowl. ...
"The bottom line: You would love Dallas and Dallas would love you. We welcome the opportunity to welcome you to Dallas."
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