Every sport and league wants to have cross-over stars; those players whose talent and image enable them to extend beyond the immediate world of their sport. The process of building these icons begins with superlative talent but you can not achieve this status if you do not possess the requisite charisma, good looks and astute management (to help you say no once in a while).

Once again LeBron James has proven he is exactly this type of figure as he will be featured on the cover of the February issue of GQ.

Among today's active athletes LeBron takes a backseat to nobody in cross-cultural appeal. I don't know who earns more from endorsements, him or Tiger, but I do believe that his youth, and ability to have fun with the projects he takes on, make him a favourite of many who couldn't name a single one of his teammates or tell you that the Cavaliers are the front-runners for the NBA championship this season.

This most recent cross-over effort speaks volumes to how someone whose legend was built by ESPN has become so mainstream that he is being featured in a men's fashion magazine. Further, he is not being lauded for creating some sort of wacky hybrid Hoops-Brooks-Brothers fashion style. He is being featured but for the way that he has adopted, in part by force, the conventional suit and tie look and made it look good!

LeBron cites the recent mandate from NBA Commissioner that NBA players dress more professionally as the genesis for this moment and opportunity. "Ever since he put in the rule about having to get dressed for the game, I had to get dressed." James said. And look at him now! Is there anything he couldn't sell?

I wonder where we will see him next?

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