LeBron James' jersey sales: How many US states does the LA Lakers star have the best-selling jersey?
LeBron James' jersey has consistently been among the best-selling in the NBA since the four-time MVP entered the league as the first overall pick of the 2003 NBA Draft. The LA Lakers star once again led the league in jersey sales last season.
In addition to leading the NBA in overall jersey sales, James also led more US states in jersey sales than any other player. In total, LeBron's jersey was the top-seller in 30 of the 50 states.
Outside of James, only six active players were the best-selling jersey in any of the fifty states. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, Nikola Jokic, Donovan Mitchell, and Trae Young each led one state, the one they were playing in at the time, in jersey sales.
Michael Jordan led all retired players, leading three states in jersey sales, followed by Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter, who led in two states each. Hall of Famers Allen Iverson, Scottie Pippen, Grant Hill, Steve Nash, and Yao Ming each led in one state, as did Steve Smith and Mike Bibby.
As far as teams, the LA Lakers led 30 states in jersey sales, by far the most of any NBA team. The Chicago Bulls were the only other team to lead multiple states, with eight, while twelve different teams led one state each.
Take a look at LeBron James' jersey sale performances in the state-by-state breakdown below:
LeBron James' jersey burnt as he leaves the Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James' jersey was the best-selling in his home state of Ohio last season, despite his 2018 departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers. James left Cleveland eight years prior, announcing his move on the infamous television program titled 'The Decision', as he infamously took his talents to South Beach.
Revisit 'The Decision' below:
Cavaliers fans were not as receptive to the 18-time All-Star after that 2010 departure, as they took to the streets to set fire to LeBron James' jersey and other merchandise bearing his name. After spending four years with the Miami Heat, however, LeBron returned to Cleveland in 2014.
His second stint with the Cavaliers lasted four years and cemented LeBron's place in Cleveland sports lore. James was able to lead the Cavaliers to their first NBA championship in franchise history. The 2015-2016 title was the first won by a Cleveland sports team in 52 years, the longest drought of any major sports city in history.
Watch LeBron James' jersey get burnt by Cleveland Cavaliers fans below: