More trouble for James

Phenom accepted free 'throwback' jerseys from store

CLEVELAND (AP) -- First it was LeBron James' Hummer. Now, it's his clothes.

Just a few days after James was cleared of any wrongdoing for accepting a sports utility vehicle as a gift, Ohio high school officials are reviewing a report he received complimentary clothing.

Last Saturday, James, the nation's top high school player, was apparently given two free "throwback" jerseys worth $845 at a local clothing store. The story was first reported by The Plain Dealer.

Ohio High School Athletic Association bylaws state that an athlete forfeits his or her amateur status by "capitalizing on athletic fame by receiving money or gifts of monetary value."

OHSAA commissioner Clair Muscaro is aware of the report "and is reviewing it," said spokesman Bob Goldring.

On Monday, Muscaro ruled that James, a senior at St. Vincent-St. Mary, would not lose his eligibility for accepting a custom-made Hummer H2 vehicle -- valued at over $50,000 -- as an 18th birthday gift from his mother. Gloria James provided loan information to support her purchase.

After attending a local high school game last weekend, James and some friends visited the clothing store "Next" where he picked out two jerseys -- one of Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Gale Sayers, the other of Washington Bullets center Wes Unseld.

The Sayers jersey costs $395; the Unseld jersey, $450.

Store manager Derrick Craig said the store's owner gave the jerseys to James for free.

"We get celebrities in here all the time," said Craig, who would not identify the owner. "They spend a lot of money and sometimes you just got to give them some love."

Goldring said OHSAA rules stipulate that athletes can't receive any kind of apparel worth more than $100.

And in the case of a school having a contract with an apparel company -- James' school has one with Adidas -- any apparel worth more than $100 is considered school-issued and must be returned by the athlete at the end of the season.

Attorney Fred Nance, who represented James and his family, was not immediately available for comment Thursday.

 

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