Tug of war: NBA fans battle to lure (or keep) LeBron James

The battle for LeBron James is not limited to the NBA teams that can sign him to a new deal on July 1. Entire cities are battling it out to convince the MVP to move to a new home (or stay in Ohio).

Austin Briggs started a website called PleaseDon'tLeave23.com last fall along with one of his marketing classmates at Kent State University.

"I just wanted to pick a business that I would be passionate about and wouldn't get bored with," Briggs said. "My business partner, Brittany Neal, and I are huge LeBron James fans and even bigger Cavaliers fans, so it just made sense to choose this."

Briggs said his campaign has moved into the spotlight sooner than he expected due to the Cavaliers' surprisingly early exit from the playoffs.

"I always shoot for the stars and hoped our campaign would be the center of attention in the world of sports, and it is not there yet, but it's getting close," Briggs said. "We figured that the more popular it got, the better chance LeBron James would have of seeing it, and that's what we really want.

"However, the early elimination (from the playoffs) brought attention to our campaign a lot sooner than we ever expected and made our campaign even more significant," he added.

Briggs has taken his message to the streets with the help of the Witness Mobile and campaign mascot Gilbert.

The Witness Mobile is a refurbished 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme with vertical doors. Fans can sign the hood, while the trunk is reserved for local VIPs.

Gilbert is a red Ohio shape with tears in his eyes at the thought of losing LeBron to another state. He also appears on the "Please Don't Leave 23" T-shirts.

"The idea for the mascot was to give personality and character to our campaign," Briggs said. "Gilbert has been a huge hit with kids and parents. Everybody seems to sympathize with Gilbert, and they want to help him turn that frown upside down.

"As far as his name, I'm not sure how he got it ... but I can tell you one thing, though, it's not because the owner of the Cavs' name is Dan Gilbert," he added with a hint of sarcasm.

Briggs has plans for either outcome of his campaign.

"If LeBron stays, I will be delighted and will most likely celebrate in the most collegiate way I know how.

"If he leaves, I will fast for 17 days with no food, water or sunlight," he joked.

"If he decides to leave, I will be very surprised," Briggs continued. "I think it would prove to be a poor career choice, but I would still be a LeBron James fan, excluding games against the Cleveland Cavaliers."

In addition to the website, Please Don't Leave 23 has its own Facebook page and campaign video.

Briggs isn't the only one trying to influence LeBron's future. Here are some of the other forces that have gathered to keep James in town or pull him away.

LeBron: Should I Stay...

A blog called In LeBron We Trust provides fans with a list of 23 Things I'll Do to Keep LeBron in Cleveland. Check out the two-minute video of a fan performing James' well-known chalk toss 23 times.

WKNR Radio has started a Beards for 'Bron movement, encouraging guys to grow their beards and send in photos to compare their 'Bron beards with those of the radio station's staff members.

Also, the University of Akron will host a LeBron Appreciation Day at InfoCision Stadium on June 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Fans will gather at the Zips' football stadium to enjoy food and entertainment while encouraging their hometown hero to remain with the Cavaliers.

... Or Should I Go?

Of course, not every LeBron rally is big enough to fill a football stadium. Dozens of Los Angeles Clippers fans tried to whoop up some interest in LeBron sharing the Staples Center with Kobe Bryant's Lakers by marching in the streets of Los Angeles.

Other towns' fans have already imagined LeBron wearing their favorite team's jersey through the magic of Photoshop. One such website is the Dallas-based LeBronToTheMavs.com, which includes the "Bron Bron Song," encouraging James to join the Mavericks.

Chicago Bulls fans have taken out a billboard on LaSalle Street and Grand Avenue that reads: "Chicago Wants LeBron ...Unfinished Business," as they hope James will add to the six NBA titles that Michael Jordan's Bulls collected.

New York's C'mon LeBron site urges James to join the Knicks, and chef Mario Batali offers to cook for James every two weeks. LeBron is in no danger of going hungry, as Cleveland chef Michael Symon has made James a similar offer if he stays with the Cavs.