The two-time NBA Champ from the Miami Heat has decided not to run for president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), FOXSports.com confirms.
"It's something I'm engaged in, understanding where our union is at right now. It's not in a bright spot today with the departure of Billy Hunter and we're looking for so many spots to be filled, so it's something that I will look into," James told Reiter.
"The one thing that concerns me from a personal standpoint is my time. I
don't have a lot of time. ... And if I feel like I can't give everything to be
the president of the union, then I will not do it because I'll be cheating not
only myself but cheating the 400-plus players and the people around that deserve
to have someone who is fully committed."
James called Heat teammate and NBPA secretary-treasurer James Jones on Monday
and told him that he would not run for president or vice president of the union,
according to USA Today.
James could have given the NBPA a voice with major star power, something it
hasn't had in many years.
The union also has been mired in controversy recently. Fisher and Hunter are
involved in a legal battle over Hunter's firing for misuse of union money.
The NBPA plans to meet next week in Las Vegas and vote for a new president.
NBPA executive committee vice president Roger Mason Jr. has emerged as a strong
candidate to replace Fisher, according to USA Today. James may back the possible
candidacy of Jones, his Heat teammate.
"If it's not me," James told Reiter, "hopefully we can have someone in that
position who understands how important it is, and getting it back to where it
should be."
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