Already the de facto general manager and coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James could soon be taking a part in calling the shots for another professional sports franchise. Actually, two.
In an interview with The Athletic, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) chairman Tom Werner said that James and his business partner Maverick Carter will start to “weigh in” on management decisions involving the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC, both of which are owned by FSG.
James and Carter, who exchanged previously held equity in Liverpool FC to become part of FSG’s ownership group in a deal that just closed this week, will have their thoughts on the teams “welcomed,” according to Werner.
“I will be surprised actually if they don’t weigh in [on management decisions of either team], I would welcome their thoughts,” Werner told The Athletic. “I think that the relationship that the consumer has with a sporting team is an emotional one … I would actually say that their wisdom and their experience is going to be hugely helpful to us going forward.”
As it relates to the Red Sox, Werner also indicated having James and Carter involved with the team may help repair the somewhat rocky reputation the team, which was unable to reach a long-term deal with former MVP Mookie Betts (who is Black) and traded him prior to last season, has had with African-American baseball players and fans.
“We want to feel that the Red Sox are an inclusive place where everybody feels welcome,” Werner said. “And while that may seem like an obvious notion today, the Red Sox have had a very complicated history when it comes to race relations. We work very hard to create a more diverse and inclusive organization from top to bottom. And I’m excited that LeBron and Maverick are owners of the Boston Red Sox because I believe this helps provide better representation of baseball to our fans.”
It seems Werner has already expressed similar sentiments to James and Carter and that they are open to helping advance that cause as owners of Boston’s storied sports franchise.
“We are proud to be part of this iconic ownership group and are excited about the opportunities that come with that to continue creating change and empowering people of every race, gender and background to be part of the process,” Carter said in a statement released earlier this week.
More Like This
Whether you’re looking to get into shape, or just get out of a funk, The Charge has got you covered. Sign up for our new wellness newsletter today.
