There have been two prominent banners featuring LeBron James on the Sherwin-Williams building across the street from the Quicken Loans Arena, which the Cleveland Cavaliers call home. The current banner, which went up when LeBron returned to Cleveland from Miami, features LeBron with his arms outstretched during his pregame chalk routine and “Cleveland” on his back instead of his name. Now, the Cavaliers are champions, thanks largely to LeBron, making the banner a reflection of the joy currently going on in Cleveland as they finally celebrate a championship season. Thus, it is unsurprising that there are a lot of folks angry that there is a plan to take it down.
Sherwin-Williams are planning to remove the banner while the Republican National Convention is in town. There’s probably enough tension in the city because of the fact the RNC will be in Cleveland, with Donald Trump in tow, but now they have to deal with their beloved banner coming down just after winning a title, even if it is temporary. That’s why there is a Change.org petition to try and keep them from taking the banner down.
“The banner is a symbol of persistence, promise and pride in the Cleveland Cavaliers and Northeastern Ohio. Removing this banner will be a travesty to what we call Cleveland,” reads part of the petition, which has plenty of supporters already at this point. This is one of the rare petitions that doesn’t feel like it is completely quixotic. Maybe the LeBron banner will stay up. Maybe Clevelanders will be able to continue to gaze upon it and bask in the glory of their city’s title.
