As the NBA lockout drags on, fears grow that local stars like Dwayne Wade and LeBron James will spend the next nine months playing overseas or, even worse, on weird tours through the Midwest. LeBron has even hinted that he might swap the hardcourt for the gridiron.
But will he go the full Monty and strap on some shin guards and knee-high socks for British soccer team Liverpool FC?
James became a minority owner of Liverpool FC in April, blowing the minds of just about everyone in both the U.S. and England.
Last month, he attended a "match" (read: game) between bitter rivals Liverpool and Manchester United and raved about the atmosphere on Twitter.
"The locals here in Liverpool are so excited about today's game. I am as well! Its going to be AMAZING #LFC," he wrote. "One of the single best experiences of my life! The excitement that these fans have is like no other. Extremely loud start/finish."
If that stung notoriously shitty Miami Heat fans, his interview with The Guardian won't soothe the wound.
"That came from the simple fact of how passionate and loyal those fans are," James said of his tweets. "But to walk through the facility the day before -- to see all the history and achievements was very powerful... And then to be at Anfield and see 40,000 fans screaming at the top of their lungs, the whole game, was an unbelievable experience for me."
We get it LeBron. We're crappy fans. But please don't leave us for Liverpool. There was a reason The Beatles left. Do you really want to trade beaches for smokestacks? Penthouses for pubs?
Sure, they've won 18 league championships. But you promised us six -- or was it seven? Come back to Miami and make it happen.
Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.