LeBron’s ‘Space Jam 2’ mural defaced
Vandals defaced a mural dedicated to LeBron James and his role in the Space Jam sequel.
The unidentified vandal spray-painted the words “LA FLOP” across the mural Monday, along with a red clown nose, Akron police spokesman Lt. Michael Miller said.
“This is a terribly unfortunate incident and we share the artist and community frustration,” Miller said in an email to cleveland.com.
The mural, painted by Kent State student Chardae Slater on the side of the Cork and Brew and the Marley and Me Novelty Shop, is located near St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, where James graduated from in 2003, and not far from the I Promise School, which James helped fund for at-risk Akron children.
The property owner at Cork and Brew declined to make a police report, Miller said. The officer spoke both with the owner and Slater. She could not be reached
for comment.
James has enjoyed a rollercoaster-style relationship with some in Northeast Ohio. He left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat, where he won two championships. He then returned to the Cavaliers, where he won a championship in 2016 before he left again to play for the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won his fourth championsip in 2020 and is still an active player.
“Space Jam: A New Legacy”
premiered in theaters July 16. The movie referenced James leaving Cleveland, along with some upset fans, but Slater told the Akron Beacon Journal that James’ contributions to the city and children of Akron is the reason she designed the mural.
Akron residents took their frustration to Facebook, offering their condolences and some extending a helping hand to Slater. She had been seen working on the mural for hours since June,
even in bad weather.
“I watched her work on it for weeks, and she always had a drummer with her too,” an Akron resident and disappointed Facebook user wrote. “It was such a joy for the neighborhood to watch all of this come together.”
There are no known suspects in this vandalism case. However, if police can identify someone responsible, the property owners would be given another opportunity to press charges, Miller said.