LeBron James children's furniture still a go

American Signature stores plan launch

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, July 26, 2010

COLUMBUS, Ohio — American Signature said it still plans to launch a youth furniture and accessories collection by LeBron James this fall, despite the superstar's decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for Miami, CNBC reported.

"Our relationship with LeBron has not changed. The youth collection by LeBron James focuses on his commitment and relationship with America youth. We are looking forward to this introduction in the fall," Jonathan Schottenstein, CEO of American Signature, said in a statement to CNBC.

The Top 100 retailer announced the partnership in February, well before the Cleveland star and last season's NBA most valuable player signed on with the Miami Heat, sending the value of his name into a tailspin here.

CNBC said that American Signature has 13 stores managed under its brand name Value City within a 100-mile radius of Cleveland, but also has two stores within the same distance of Miami. The company also has 14 Value City locations within 100 miles of Chicago and six American Signature within 100 miles of New York, both cities that wanted James on their teams.

The company filed for the trademark "Home Court by LeBron James" and said it would refer to items that include furniture, mirrors and picture frames.