function hide_user_promo_bubble_second_stage() { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); bubble.style.display = "none"; } function hide_user_promo_bubble() { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); var myAnim = new YAHOO.util.Anim(bubble, { opacity: { to: 0 } }, 1, YAHOO.util.Easing.easeOut); myAnim.animate(); setTimeout("hide_user_promo_bubble_second_stage()", 1100); } function handle_promo_username(params) { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); var img = $("user_promo_bubble_image"); var anchor = $("user_promo_bubble_link"); if (params.has_photo == "true") { img.src = "http://images.huffingtonpost.com/profiles/" + params.user_id + "-tiny.png"; } else { img.style.display = "none"; Dom.addClass(anchor, "wide"); } anchor.innerHTML = "Shared by " + params.user_name; anchor.href = "http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/" + params.user_name; bubble.style.display = "block"; var myAnim = new YAHOO.util.Anim(bubble, { opacity: { to: 1 } }, 2, YAHOO.util.Easing.easeOut); myAnim.animate(); } if (HuffPoUtil.getUrlVar("user_promo")) { YAHOO.util.Event.onDOMReady(function() { var parts = document.location.hash.split(","), shared_by = "", badge = "", i; if (parts.length < 2) return; for (i = 0; i < parts.length; i++) { if (parts[i].indexOf("sb=") !== -1) { shared_by = parts[i]; } if (parts[i].indexOf("b=") !== -1) { badge = parts[i]; } } if (shared_by == "" || badge == "") return; var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); if (!bubble) return; var entry_id = HuffPoUtil.GetEntryID(); if (!entry_id) return; var user_id = parseInt(shared_by.substr(shared_by.indexOf("sb=") + 3)); if (!user_id) return; var badge_type = badge.substr(badge.indexOf("b=") + 2); if (!badge_type) return; script = document.createElement("script"); script.setAttribute("type", "text/javascript"); bubble.appendChild(script); script.setAttribute("src", "/include/share_track.php?a=view&eid=" + entry_id + "&uid=" + user_id + "&b=" + badge_type + "&cb=handle_promo_username"); }); } Dan Gilbert Letter: LeBron James 'Narcissistic,' 'Deserted' Cleveland, Says Cavs Majority Owner (TEXT)

Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert has written an open letter to Cavs fans, slamming LeBron James for his national television appearance announcing his decision to leave.

Consistent with Cleveland fans' reaction to LeBron's decision, Gilbert expresses utter disappointment. But he goes much farther, calling the basketball star "narcissistic," stating he has deserted his hometown and calling the move a "cowardly betrayal."

Gilbert promises fans the Cavs will work hard to make the team competitive and wrote in all caps in the letter, "I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE."

Read the full text of the Dan Gilbert letter below:

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

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The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue....

Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers

Know something we don't? E-mail us at [e-mail]

Comments

[domezone]

I understand he put on to much of a show when choosing his team and announcing it to the world. He does act immature from time to time as well. He has extreme talent and in this business that means money. The real sad thing however, is that basketball is a business when it comes to players you will sign to support lebron. Its a business when contract time comes around. Its a business, when you don't bring supporting roles in to help your star win a title. As soon as that star realizes he won't win a thing at his current team and he makes a proper business decision, its no longer a business. Now, its a personal spiel about how he ditched his home town and let down fans. Everything with the managers coaches you name it is business until there franchise player makes a business move then it gets personal. I just don't understand why Its always business to not do whats best for your team to conserve money or improve profits, then after repeatedly dicking your team like that its personal when a guy leaves.

[JHRolling]

Big reality check here. Cleveland Cavs owner Dan Gilbert is acting like he owned Lebron James. He did not. They had a CONTRACTUAL agreement for James's extreme talent. Talent that earned Gilbert--and brought into Cleveland--multiple MILLIONS of dollars that would otherwise have not been made. That contract has ended. James is taking his talent elsewhere, leaving MILLIONS on the table. Bold move. Stop conjuring up curses, Dan. Build your kingdom on top of your own shoulders.

[Vanessa Belle]

I don't follow basketball but I fail to understand why all of the dramatics on the part of Dan Gilbert. His star player chose to leave his team for another opportunity.

What did Dan Gilbert expect of LeBron James?

Don't most professional athletes look out for their own best interests? It is a business afterall.

[QuietLightTraveler]

Listen Platypus or whatever your name is. LeBron acted like a jerk. Jerk! Make your choice and announce it - without a TV special.. He acted like an immature egotistical kid the way he handled it. When you have as much money as LeBron, you can afford to hire a competent public relations consultant who can cover for your stupidity by telling you how to do it. Fans have given this guy too much hero worship. He should have been respectful of his former team and announced it earlier and informed Clevland earlier. And how dare you try to insinuate that I am a racist or something. His conduct was poor. The NBA doesn't need "their greatest" acting like that. He definitely damaged his image, and for no reason. Clevland would have been angry at him no matter how he handled it but others would have been less turned off. And I am a progressive, not a right winger.

[GeorgiaCottonGin]

Dan Gilbert has made a lot money off of Lebron James' name. Dan needs to get his billions and get a freaking life. It is a shame when a "free agent" who has fulfilled his obligations has to get bashed by some *$#@hole and is expected to get permission from his former employer before he accepts another job. I guarantee you if he was being traded the owners would not have asked him for his permission to be traded, he would just be "fired" in a other words. Real Lebron's fans will cheer for him regardless of the team he plays for. I LOVE Lebron. I am happy for him. Make your money baby......All the haters can kiss your #$%^.

[jalowe1957]

Take away the contracts and the salaries and what you have left are indentured servants (read: "house slaves"), serving at the pleasure of the plantation master.

This is not just a phenomenon confined to professional sports. This kind of behavior takes place on our nation's college campuses, where students and alumni are treated like chattel, as if they are the owned property of the college or university.

[the checkwriter]

"In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels."

sounds like some monday-morning quarterbacking. why throw threats now!? had dan gilbert and his team actually had this sort of 'passion' when it came to getting lebron some HELP, LIKE HE REQUESTED SERVERAL TIMES, none of this would have even happened! now you wanna make promises/threats - ok... he obviously couldnt do it alone: he was just tired of 'allen iverson syndrome.'

[Marcelo Abans]

Seriously.. Lebron had all the presuree on him and he asked for help like you mentioned. Sadly, just because jordan could do it doesn't mean he could. Then again a different time.

[Leto II]

LeBron left the Cavs because he didn't like Delonte West and others sleeping with his mom.

[GuidorfGodOfBiscuits]

"This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become."

Correct...we DON'T want our children to grow up to be someone who honors and fulfills a legal contract - note the # of foreclosures, bankruptcies and credit defaults across the US. You nailed it on the head, Dan.

[rh654]

Gilbert comes off like a spoiled white guy who doesn't like one of his "boys" walking away from the "plantation".

[20DYNAMITE07]

for sure... but then again, he also sounds like a guy who has spent $63 Million on a dude and still doesn't have a championship ring.

[spark19me]

but then again...the owner has made 3- 4 times the 63 million he shelled out..its the cost of the game...he's mad because he wont be making that much money with lebron gone.

[Leto II]

How quickly it turns to the race card. I can't say I'm surprised.

[QuietLightTraveler]

He knew that it would be a terrible, terrible blow to Cleveland and yet he drew out his decision keeping everyone waiting until the last minute to announce it in the most dramatic and ludicrous manner on National TV. Was this for his ego ? When are these rich morons going to learn that their value only exists because fans like to watch basketball. The opinion of the fans should mean something to these narcissistic fools. He should have informed Cleveland ahead of time if he wanted to leave. Extremely insensitive, narcissistic and immature behavior. He also did a lot to damage not only his own image but also the image of the black athlete to people outside sports.. And what does he think, that in the competitive world of sports that NBA fans want players purposely stacking the deck ?? No way ! Dumb !! He may be a basketball machine,but that is all. Behind that, I'm afraid its a dumb, narcissistic, empty suit, who just wants the easy life now that he struck gold in basketball The same goes for his amateurish dumb handlers. So its time for basketball fans to stop filling a void in their lives with hero worship of LeBron. He aint no hero and he aint no Michael Jordan, and never was.

[platypterus]

Quietly slow down and calm down. Ok? Good. Now, to begin to address some of your self-appointed SUPERIOR accusations I'll respond in bullet fashion.

1. His decision was made at his choosing. My question to you would be, how much did he pay the media for their cameras to role?
2. Implying "He should have informed Cleveland", is narcissistic at best. I don't know if you have a job or own your own business, but if you are firing someone or leaving a position you just leave - thats the only informing you provide. What, hang around and get black-listed?
3. Damage his image and the image of black folk with white folk outside of sports? Is that what I hear you saying? Aren't you a peace of work.
4. Competitive sports is a business where lots of money is turned. Its his body he must maintain in order that he is most competitive for the business. You charge for your brain (can't tell from your post) and he charges for his atheletic abilities. For so long these atheletes have been getting paid what the owner thought they should be paid, but now the atheletes have began to say what they are worth. Good for them.
5. You called him "dumb" just after you implied the "machine" would damage the image of black folk in the eyes of white folk.
6. Hum, that says it all. You MUST BE tea-partyish.

[Eagletrip]

"NARCISSIST" IS A MENTAL HEALTH CODE WORD. I've seen the word used in writing, on performance reports, health records and now the internet. The word is used to gravely discredit a person's psyche and destroy their lively-hood.
It could be a form of institutionalized racism because the word can have grave consequences on the person it is being used against. What other nationality of people have this word been used against? So far publicly, the only people I've heard openly called a NARCISSISTIC is Barack Obama, Tiger Woods and LeBron James. I know of several black people that have had that term written about them on a performance report. Dan Gilbert should had flown under the radar with his letter. He probably would had gotten away with it as usual. But, when he used that word "NARCISSIST", he opened up pandora's box.

[respected]

The mainstream media is to blame for all hype. They camped out and broadcast every minute detail and then when public opinion turned against all the hoopla, they immediately switched their reporting to the hate. Shameful.

[UmberLamp]

Can you really blame anyone for wanting to live in Miami rather than Cleveland?

[crm2008]

No. I've been to both cities, and it's a wrap. Miami wins hands sown.

[crm2008]

Typo...... Miami wins hands down. Cleveland is dull and boring for a person in their twenties.

[NoahVail]

"...narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special..."

Maybe Jesse thought this part of Gilbert's letter was directed against him?

[platypterus]

Yea, I don't care to much for him either and I'm black and a democrat.

[NoahVail]

He looked really good in the 3-way presidential debates in 1984, but mostly, I think Jesse's time has passed.

[GPaugam]

You people act like LeBron belonged to Cleveland. Do not act like a jilted lover, grow up and realize you just didn't have what it takes to keep a star of LeBron's caliber in your city. He is GONE, GET OVER IT, move on, get yourself some counseling, learn to love yourself and besides it is not like they moved the whole team in the middle of the night to Miami...its just one guy!

[ponteeman]

Lebron needs to donate one big Midol to them!

[the checkwriter]

lebron doesnt need to donate anything! it was a business deal that was more appealing elsewhere - cleveland flat out suxx. you cant blame a WHOLE failed city on an entertainer--its not his responsibility that the local government cant seem to figure out how to generate $100m from anything other that ONE (1) basketball player.