It turns out the King trumps the convention.
Last week word spread that the iconic Nike banner on the outside of the Sherwin-Williams headquarters in downtown Cleveland would come down for the Republican National Convention. The decision came in the face of considerable public outcry, including a petition to stop the paint company from removing it in the wake of the Cavaliers' championship and James' Finals MVP performance. (The company had always planned to return the banner in the fall regardless of the outcome of the Cavaliers' season; the replacement banner was meant to celebrate Sherwin-William's anniversary.)
On Tuesday, the company announced that the banner would stay up. And they're throwing in a $150,000 donation to James' foundation:
Sherwin-Williams today announced in celebration of its 150th anniversary and the first Cleveland hometown sports championship in 52 years, the company is donating $150,000 to the LeBron James Family Foundation.
In recognition of fan interest, the company will keep the now-famous LeBron James banner hanging from its global headquarters building. The banner was set to come down for the summer in order to display a Sherwin-Williams banner celebrating 150 years.
"For 150 years, Sherwin-Williams has been proud to call Cleveland our home, and we're committed to doing the right thing for the people of this great city," said John Morikis, President and CEO, The Sherwin-Williams Company. "For the last year, we've been planning to hang a celebratory banner outside our building during the summer months. But what better way to celebrate our 150th year than with a NBA championship. As a long-time supporter of the Cavs, and the entire community, we want the energy and excitement in this city to continue."
Source: LeBron Banner To Stay at Sherwin-Williams Headquarters.
It's a smart move. Had the Cavaliers lost the Finals, you could have gotten away with it. In the wake of Cleveland's first title in 52 years, however, it would seem disrespectful to dismiss that even with the convention in town coinciding with the anniversary.
You only celebrate your 150th birthday as a paint company once. You only have the Republican National Convention once every few decades.
But Cleveland winning an NBA title still seems somehow more rare.
