LeBron James says he is looking forward to forming a business alliance with star quarterback Johnny Manziel and has already been mentoring the former Heisman Trophy winner for months.
ESPN reported earlier this week the NFL-bound, former Texas A&M star had chosen to sign with James' LRMR marketing company. While the two-time NBA champ insists he doesn't know if the deal has been formally completed, he readily admits he's already looking forward to the possibilities.
"We're happy we're able to be a friend of his and be able to help," James told ESPN. "He reached out to me when he was going through a lot of off-the-field things that I didn't really--- that I thought it was just overblown. He's not the only kid who went to a college frat party or the only college kid to have fun. But obviously he's Johnny Manziel, so it's blown out of proportion."
Manziel recently revealed he sought out James' advice last summer when he was being investigated by the NCAA for signing autographs for memorabilia brokers.
James told ESPN he regularly sent text messages to Manziel before and after A&M games offering support and encouragement.
LRMR is run by James' boyhood pal and business partner Maverick Carter, who has close ties with Nike and has negotiated countless marketing deals for the man known as King James over the last nine years.
"When the opportunity was brought to me, I just told him if he's willing to listen to my advice, I was willing to give it," James added of Manziel. "I was texting him weekly, before the games and after the games. I didn't know it would lead to us being together with business, but I was happy to help."
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