"In recognition of fan interest, the company will keep the now-famous LeBron James banner hanging from its global headquarters building," Sherwin-Williams announced early Tuesday.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cavaliers fans can chalk up another football-field-sized victory for LeBron James. Or at least for the 10-story-tall LeBron James banner hanging off of the Sherwin-Williams Co.'s global headquarters in Downtown Cleveland.
After relentless criticism via social media, and nearly 25,000 signatures on a Change.org online petition asking the Cleveland paint company to "Leave It Up! Sherwin Williams, don't remove the Lebron James banner for RNC," Sherwin-Williams announced early Tuesday that James' banner will stay right where it is -- even during the Republican National Convention July 18-21.
Window washers make their way down the Sherwin Wiliams building in front of the LeBron James mural on Ontario St. in this March 2016 file photo. Moreover, in honor of the company's 150th anniversary and Cleveland's first hometown sports championship in 52 years, Sherwin-Williams is donating $150,000 to the LeBron James Family Foundation for scholarships and other educational initiatives for children and young adults.
"In recognition of fan interest, the company will keep the now-famous LeBron James banner hanging from its global headquarters building," Sherwin-Williams announced early Tuesday.
Plans to replace the banner with a red-, white-and-blue welcome sign declaring "This Land is Our Land: 150 Years in Cleveland" on July 5 have been scrapped.
Even the company's promises that LeBron James' image would return to the wall at an undisclosed date some time this fall, just before the Cavaliers start their next season, did not quiet the haters.
A New York Times' story about the city's June 22 victory parade noted that "The only documented discontent has been over the planned removal of the football-field-size banner of James, which has hung on the Sherwin-Williams building near the arena since James returned to Cleveland in 2014."
Sherwin-Williams President and CEO John G. Morikis Sherwin-Williams' President and Chief Executive John Morikis said in a statement Tuesday that "For 150 years, Sherwin-Williams has been proud to call Cleveland our home, and we're committed to doing the right thing for the people of this great city. For the last year, we've been planning to hang a celebratory banner outside our building during the summer months.
"But what better way to celebrate our 150th year than with a NBA championship," he asked. "As a long-time supporter of the Cavs, and the entire community, we want the energy and excitement in this city to continue."
Sherwin-Williams, which employs more than 3,000 people in Northeast Ohio and is one of The Plain Dealer's 100 Top Workplaces, was a co-sponsor of Wednesday's victory parade through Cleveland.
"Sherwin-Williams has a long history of donations to worthwhile causes, such as the LeBron James Family Foundation," the company said. That includes last month's $250,000 donation, along with the Connor Foundation created by Sherwin-Williams' Executive Chairman Christopher Connor, to Saint Martin de Porres High School in Cleveland.
Sherwin-Williams' scrapped plans for a football-field sized red-, white-and-blue proclamation that "This Land is Our Land" after social media backlash. Sherwin-Williams said it will still use the tri-color design, which incorporates its paint shades "Real Red," "Individual White," and "Loyal Blue," -- but only internally -- to commemorate its anniversary.
Michele Campbell, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation, said in a written statement that "we are so grateful to the Sherwin-Williams Company for their continued generosity to the Akron and Cleveland communities, and would like to congratulate them on their 150-year milestone.
"This contribution will go a long way in helping us provide the resources and interventions necessary to keep our students in school and on the path to a college education," she added.
The LeBron James Family Foundation's initiatives include promises of four-year scholarships to the University of Akron, provided by the university, for qualifying graduates of Akron public schools.
In January, the foundation surprised members of Akron's East Community Learning Center's varsity basketball team with new Nike basketball uniforms to recognize their outstanding sportsmanship.