Jay-Z, Russian Billionaire and NJ Nets Make Bid On LeBron James

Mogul Jay-Z, the Nets billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov, and coach Avery Johnson all made a presentation and pitch to LeBron James to woo the basketball sensation to the New Jersey Nets.

The trio, along with several other team officials, made a 90-minute pitch to the two-time NBA MVP. James officially became a free agent at 12:01 today.

The Associated Press offered a detailed account of the meeting, but reports have sprouted in various media outlets.

"Prokhorov left with a few members of the Nets' entourage at 12:43 p.m. Lagging a few minutes behind them was Jay-Z, a close friend of James, who was sitting in the back seat of a black sedan leaving the garage as the Knicks' motorcade - 2 sedans and 2 SUVs - pulled in," the AP wrote.

Sources with AllHipHop.com revealed that Jay-Z may have had a private, albeit brief, meeting with James. Avery Johnson reportedly stated the meeting "went well."

The sentiment echoed the New York Knicks views of their meeting right after the Nets.

"I think it went well,'' New York coach Mike D'Antoni told The Associated Press. "But obviously everyone that gets the chance to talk to him will probably say same the same thing."

James is expected to meet with the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Clippers tomorrow