LeBron James is one of the greatest to ever play in the National Basketball Association – some would argue the best. Researcher LeRoy Brooks coined the “LeBron Effect”, suggesting that wherever James moved, he would bring millions of dollars along with him to his team and the surrounding economy. When James returned to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014, the mean price of a home-game ticket surged from $173 to $388 in one season. Additionally, his return caused a surge in jersey sales, causing a 700 percent increase from the previous season. At surrounding restaurants and bars of Rocket Arena, there was a 13 percent increase in revenue. Knowing the impact that LeBron James had on the revenue of the team and surrounding economy, how would the concept of the “LeBron Effect” transfer over to a less popular, yet elite National Football League player?
To answer this question, Khalil Mack’s journey from the Oakland Raiders to the Chicago Bears will be assessed. Mack was traded to the Bears before the 2018 season in exchange for two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and a sixth-round pick. In addition to the fact that Mack was NFL Defensive Player of the Year and First-team All-Pro in 2016, it is clear that the University of Buffalo alumni was one of the greatest in the league. While the nine-time Pro Bowler is undoubtedly talented, he still does not have the same fame as James.
In 2015, at the beginning of Mack’s second season with the Raiders, Oakland was named the 3rd highest-selling team in jerseys. In June of that year, Mack had the 19th highest-selling jersey in the entire league. In 2018, the Raiders ranked 20th for jersey sales. Between 2015-2017, Oakland had an average yearly profit of $42.7 million, and after Mack’s departure, their average yearly profit from 2018-2020 was $18.6 million. When Mack arrived in Chicago, his jersey became the second highest-selling in January 2019. From 2015-2017, the Bears had an average yearly profit of $102.7 million, and with Mack’s arrival, their average yearly profit from 2018-2020 was $64.8 million. While the major dips in yearly profit is largely in thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, both teams had a fair decline in profit in 2019.
Overall, the impact players similar to Khalil Mack have on their team’s economic situation is quite nominal. While having elite players will allow teams to gain revenue from their public image or jersey sales, there is a finite turnout. The Raider’s 57% decrease in average yearly profit in a matter of a couple of years is significant, yet the overall decline in team play is to blame. Mack is an outside linebacker, which is a position that does not have as much attraction as a quarterback or wide receiver. People might be drawn to purchase tickets to see Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson play in person, but it is unlikely they will spend money just to watch a star defensive player.
