Ohio State Buckeyes NCAA 2015 Final News: LeBron James Chooses Sides for College Football National Championship Game
NBA star LeBron James has spoken about his bet on the college football National Championship and he is choosing Ohio State Buckeyes.
"I'm picking them, and obviously I got my guys in Portland taking Oregon," said James who has missed eight games consecutively because of his injuries.
Nike founder Phil Knight is betting on Oregon since he is an Oregon alum. It has also been known that he is a contributor for the university's sports department. Nike previously sent out various sports supplies including their uniforms. They are also the creators of Ohio State's uniforms.
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James explained the rift between his choice and his marketing partner, Nike.
"It is what it is. Nike versus the Buckeyes. That's what we call it," he said.
However, is nowhere near the comparison of Knight when it comes to financial capability. Knight donated about $300 million to Oregon last year. But, Knight did express his appreciation to the Ohio team when he spoke about his fandom to the group during his speech at the Northeast Ohio Media Group last Sunday.
James with his sponsor, Beats by Dre, provided Buckeyes players their own headphones.
"I had to make sure I got the clearance from the athletic director, got the clearance from everybody before I did that, made sure I wasn't breaking any rules," explained James. "You know how the NCAA is."
Gene Smith, Ohio State athletic director, confirmed that James did not violate any rules of the NCAA by giving such donations.
When asked why he is so passionate for the Bucks, James said he grew up watching them while he was growing up.
"I loved their colors when I was growing up. And it's just everybody always enjoyed the Buckeyes. It was Joey Galloway, the Antoine Winfield, being from Akron, Ohio, he went there, and Eddie George. The list goes on and on, guys that we kind of watched growing up. It just made sense for all of us," James said.
