National Basketball Association

You're welcome: Radio station pokes fun at LeBron with billboard

Published Aug. 6, 2014 6:23 p.m. ET

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As sports fans all know, after a star athlete is traded or signs on with a new team, they sometimes like to take out a full-page newspaper ad or billboard to thank the city and its fans for a memorable time together, much like former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price just did after he was traded to Detroit.

Maybe it's cliche, but it's the classy thing to do.

Almost a month after LeBron James' decision to rejoin the Cleveland Cavaliers, many in South Florida are still waiting for some sort of acknowledgment from the superstar for four memorable years they shared together of championship-contending basketball. After all, Heat fans had to endure a tidal wave of criticism heaped upon James and their franchise after his "Decision" TV show and subsequent boastful claims of an impending dynasty during the Heat's pep rally at the AmericanAirlines Arena in 2010.

The four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, the 27-game winning streak, the 61-point massacre at home against the helpless Charlotte Bobcats, the back-to-back NBA titles. Heat fans were there for the King every step of the way, cheering him when so many others rooted for him to fail.

That decision letter announcing his intention to return to Cleveland? Zero mention of Heat fans. Just about the only sign James hasn't completely forgotten about Miami came in the form of a re-post of the Miami Heat's official Instagram picture thanking him "for the memories" soon after his decision. But yet again, no direct mention of Heat fans.

Since James won't do it, local writer and 790 AM The Ticket host Dan Le Batard has taken it upon himself to remind the superstar where he won his two rings by placing a giant billboard in Akron, Ohio, with a "You're Welcome, LeBron. Love, Miami" message.

ESPN Host Takes Shot at LeBron James With Akron Billboard! http://t.co/a7AU5DDWlS pic.twitter.com/FH0hYEwszY
— Page Q (@PageQSports) August 6, 2014

Previous attempts to place a similar ad in the Akron Beacon Journal were unsuccessful, so Le Batard and his co-hosts went with the billboard idea. There are plans in place for more shenanigans in Ohio, including a possible infiltration of the superstar's welcome home party that is planned for Aug. 8 in Cleveland.

You can follow Surya Fernandez on Twitter @SuryaHeatNBA or email him at SuryaFoxSports@gmail.com.