It looks like LeBron James' entrepreneurship will be going beyond sports management and endorsement deals. The new issue of ESPN Magazine reports that James is connecting with Ice Cube and his CubeVision production for a television show based on Bron's life when he was a high school basketball prospect. According to ESPN Mag, the show will be "Friday Night Lights-meets-Entourage, and will follow an inner-city 15 year-old prep star who is transplanted to a small town school and forced to come of age while dealing with media pressure, unscrupulous moneymen and the jealousy of his peers."
"It's a grounded character study of teenage life in small town America, but it's also an exploration of the American Dream and the wish-fulfillment aspect of what his life has become," Matt Alvarez, President of CubeVision, told the magazine. "As a teenager, LeBron was dubbed as one of the great ones. Dropping an album as a kid with NWA, Cube could relate to that. They both know what it's like to have success at a young age, and dealing with everything that comes with those expectations."
The television deal is with the ABC network with a pilot script coming in the next few weeks. If the network likes what they read, the show could be approved for as soon as the fall 2009 season. The show would be a great thing for network television which sorely missing a drama starring Black characters.
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By: Keisha on 12/19/2008 2:59PM
I wish them both the best. However, as history has shown to be true, it'll probably get picked up by a cable network. Not many of the main networks pick up sitcoms with mainly African American roles; and that's sad. We have so much undiscovered talent out there that it would be nice to showcase some of our talent and skills.
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By: ahmad on 12/21/2008 11:03AM
Keisha i agree but its unfortunate that this is the case. But with the advent of cable and satelite and risk takers such as TV one (google Cathy Hughes) and BBTV and others our talent will shine as someone promised the "tail will become the head" its just a matter of time and patience. Mr. Oshea Jackson and Mr. Lebron (King) James what a combination. Lebron dont resign with Cavs unless Gilbert gives up Ownership interest (ok so what he can put it in escrow) for those of you addicted to details.
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By: ahmad on 12/21/2008 11:09AM
Ice Cube Raw Fottage. Mr. Jackson I love your maturation as an artist and actor and director and owner. Cube your story itself is worthy of a movie! I remember the LA Raider Caps and Jerry Curl (sorry I had to go there)! Now look at you green lighting multi million dollar deals. My oh my how far we have come and continue to come. You and Mr. Elton Brand and Mr. Byron Davis would make for a great hook up movie wise may God bless you Cube not make excellent business decisions. Oh Happy Saviours' Day Cube see you in Chicago!!!!!! Peace and Paradise
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By: curtis plair on 1/05/2009 1:27AM
I would like to say that it is uplifting to see two black young men that has risen from thier hardships and made it through all the obsticals of becoming a sucessful artist or athelet, being a positive role model, giving back to their communities and more. but to get together and put it all on screen is really an accomplishment that will definately inspire some youths to recionize their talents and work on them in a meaningful way towards possible sucess. Good Work
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