[LoKyBuckeye]

Cavs' James picks a Rose as new agent

Associated Press


CLEVELAND (AP) - Cavaliers All-Star forward LeBron James, who fired agent Aaron Goodwin shortly after last season, has hired Leon Rose to represent him, a spokesman for the NBA Players Association said Friday.

On Thursday, the player's union received a standard player-agent contract in the mail signed by James and Rose, spokesman Dan Wasserman said.

In addition to James, Rose also represents Philadelphia 76ers star guard Allen Iverson as well as Eddie Jones and Eddy Curry.

In May, James dropped Goodwin as well as his brother, Eric, as his principal agents. The Goodwins had helped the 20-year-old secure over $135 million in endorsement deals, including a a landmark $90 million deal from apparel giant Nike - the richest initial shoe contract offered to an athlete - before he was drafted as a pro.

James also has multimillion dollar deals with Upper Deck, Coca-Cola, Bubblicious and Juice Batteries.

James has given some of his other management duties to close friend Maverick Carter, a former high school teammate who works for Nike, as well as longtime friends Randy Mims and Rich Paul. The group calls itself "The Four Horsemen."

Rose will take over contract negotiations for James, who still has two years left on his rookie deal with Cleveland.

Rose did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.