We have reached the end of Season 1 of our podcast ‘Feel Free to Comment’ about the LeBron James-produced sitcom ‘Survivor’s Remorse,’ which features a big final decision for Cam when it comes choosing the right sneaker contract for him, as well as another example of the evolving relationship between him and his cousin/manager, Reggie.
Among the chief conflicts of this episode is Cam’s childhood desires to wear the shoes of his heroes who wore Nike, but Reggie insists on a crucial point that has driven much of LeBron’s business deals outside the ones he has with legacy brands like Nike: equity and ownership.
Obviously, the show draws from LeBron’s real life in many ways with many storylines, but the show had to be updated to 2014 when it was made. But it does present an interesting case study for what it’s like for current NBA stars to navigate the sneaker world, particularly with the added influence of upstart Chinese brands, such as the fictional one that offers Cam equity as well as money, Da Chen Bao.
