It's no secret that LeBron James was already an industry. His popularity fueled an around-the-country tour. He made the cover of Sports Illustrated and signed versions of the magazine were selling for $100. Games featuring his high school team were offered on pay-per-view.

On Friday, as word circulated that the Ohio High School Athletic Association had ruled the No. 1 high school player in the country ineligible because he capitalized off his fame by accepting $845 in retro jerseys, those who have a hand in the James' business were trying to figure out what it all meant.

"If LeBron James is ruled ineligible and everything is final, it would speed up the negotiating process (in the shoe endorsement race)," said Sonny Vaccaro, director of basketball for adidas, which sponsors James' St. Vincent-St. Mary's team. Vaccaro has said that a shoe deal for James could be worth in the $25 million range.

"We, and as far as I know Nike, have not had any meetings that would be considered professional," Vaccaro said. "We've spoken to LeBron and his mother, but we haven't laid out any plans or presented proposals because we've respected his amateurism. We won't do anything different from what we've done until he has a chance to appeal and the decision is final."

A source close to James -- who is projected to be the No. 1 pick of the 2003 NBA draft -- told ESPN.com that the player would appeal the decision.

Time Warner in Northeast Ohio could take an immediate hit if James isn't playing in the St. Vincent-St. Mary's games it is selling on pay-per-view. The company has broadcast six of the high school team's 10 games, which it sells for $7.95 each.

"We didn't go into this looking to make money and we've accomplished that," said Bill Jasso, spokesperson for the local cable channel. "We've had orders in the hundreds, not thousands, for each game."

On Sunday, the cable channel was expecting a good amount of buys for the matchup between James' St. Vincent-St. Mary's team, ranked No. 1 in the country by USA Today, and in-state rival Canton McKinley High School.

If Time Warner -- which pays approximately $5,000 in production costs per game -- makes any profit, it will split it with St. Vincent-St. Mary's and the University of Akron, which has housed some of the high school basketball team's home games.

If James loses his battle and doesn't play another high school game, it won't mean much to NBA personnel.

"If I'm him, I'd just finish out high school and get prepared for the draft," said NBA agent Bill Duffy, who represents many NBA stars, including Houston Rockets center Yao Ming and Dallas Mavericks guard Steve Nash.

"If he never plays high school ball again, this won't hurt him," Duffy said. "NBA teams that have already tabbed him as the No. 1 pick certainly don't care. All they care about is getting a talented player that can fill the stands and LeBron definitely has the potential to do that."

Darren Rovell, who covers sports business for ESPN.com, can be reached at Darren.rovell@espn3.com.