Cedar Point is making good on its promise to do something awesome if LeBron James decides to sign back with the Cleveland Cavaliers -- but not by way of naming a roller coaster after him.
Back in July, in an attempt to further convince LeBron to come back home, the amusement park operator tweeted, "Hey @KingJames - come back to the @cavs and we'll rename one of our coaster, "King James!" Ball in your court, sir. RT, #Ohio!" The message got over 11,000 retweets and nearly 6,000 favorites from fans all over the world.
Days after, the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player did decide to return to the Cavs, leading many to await the day when Cedar Point finally makes an announcement. The official statement was released on the Cedar Point website on September 16, but contained a bigger, deeper message.
"Cedar Point announces a joint decision with the LeBron James Family Foundation on a multi-year partnership which includes benefits that go far beyond renaming a coaster. The highlight of this new partnership will take place next summer when Cedar Point hosts all of the kids who are actively involved in the foundation's "Wheels for Education" program and Akron I PROMISE Network for a day of fun with their families in the program's annual "I PROMISE Family Reunion" event. Additionally, next spring, Cedar Point will hold a first ride auction with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the LeBron James Family Foundation," it said.
The first batch of "Wheels for Education" students will graduate in 2021, the statement adds.
According to Sports Illustrated, there are 17 roller coasters in Cedar Point, with one even sharing a name with LeBron's agent, "Maverick." Of course, to say that it was named after his agent is pure speculation and very likely untrue. So, no, to the dismay of fans looking for hype, there will be no "King James" roller coaster. In its place, the park has created a much bigger and more lasting opportunity for the community to be better, which in anybody's book is way cooler.
ESPN writes that the first-ride auction will happen next spring, and the park will host kids involved with the foundation's activities in the summer. It also adds that LeBron and Cedar Point have quite a history together, because the NBA star "was a frequent visitor while he was growing up in Akron and playing in Cleveland."
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