LeBron James is jamming one of college football's biggest games into his busy schedule.
James and several Cleveland teammates plan to attend Saturday's Ohio State-Michigan game in Columbus before they play in Philadelphia that night. A rabid Ohio State fan, James has been on the sideline at Ohio Stadium in the past, but not for a game he said is on his "bucket list."
This year's matchup between the No. 2 Buckeyes and No. 3 Wolverines has national championship implications.
James has more than a rooting interest in this year's game. He has also provided Ohio State's players with cleats inspired by his signature Nike sneakers to wear against Michigan. He said the idea was hatched 10 years ago, but it took time before the cleat could be developed.
"It's been something that's been in the works for years now," he said. "We finally was able to put together a shoe and work with the Nike football lab to put a cleat on there. It's always a hard process when you turn a basketball shoe into a cleat, so we finally was able to find a shoe that fits the Nike lab football cleat."
James said some of the players tested them this week at practice before deciding whether to play in them.
"It was just like, great timing, I guess, that it came together when they were playing Michigan in the biggest game of the season," he said.
It's also perfect timing that James' cleats are being unveiled when Ohio State is facing Michigan, which this season is wearing Jordan Brand, sports gear designed by Michael Jordan, whose "Jump Man" logo adorns their uniforms.
James, though, said it was just a coincidence that the cleats came out this week.
Ohio State is one of four schools whose basketball teams wear exclusively James apparel and sneakers.
