The Cavs Will Use A Fan Photo Mosaic To Replace The Iconic LeBron James Banner

For the second time this decade, the City of Cleveland has taken down the 10-story banner of LeBron James that hung like a beacon of hope for Cavs fans everywhere. The first time around, it was with considerably more acrimony as the city and its fans were left reeling by LeBron’s shocking decision to join the Miami Heat.

It was a more solemn and bittersweet event this summer as Cavaliers fans have rather graciously come to terms with his departure to the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency and the indelible legacy that he leaves behind for the long-suffering franchise for whom he won its first championship in more than 50 years.

The question now is what to do with all of that suddenly empty potential advertising space. But fret not, Clevelanders, because the city and the organization have come up with a rather novel concept that will act as a tribute to its adoring fans and will allow them to literally take part in its conception as well.

Via Michelle Jarboe of Cleveland.com:

A new banner planned for the space where images of LeBron James hung for years will feature thousands of regular people – not one superstar.

The Cleveland Cavaliers unveiled an image of the banner this week, gaining approval from a downtown-focused design-review committee Thursday and the Cleveland City Planning Commission on Friday.

The central image, of one of the Art Deco “Guardians of Traffic” that stand sentinel over the Lorain-Carnegie (Hope Memorial) Bridge, will be a collage of crowdsourced photos of Clevelanders and Cavs fans. The tagline, in capital letters on a black background, is “All for the land.”

Fans have until September 21 to submit their photo to the Cavs’ team website and a chance to appear on the banner.

It’s an excellent way to honor all the fans who have stuck with the team throughout its many ups and downs over the years and who are once again entering what promises to be challenging period for a team very much in transition.