The Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James is not just the 2008-2009 NBA MVP, he's also a highly successful brand and marketing powerhouse. So it's no surprise that he received a coveted invitation to Allen & Co.'s annual media mogulfest in Sun Valley, Idaho, which kicks off tonight with an opening-night barbecue.

This marks the first time that James has been invited to the get-together, and he plans to "listen and to learn" while he's there. You see, while is popularity rivals that of Tiger Woods in golf or Peyton Manning in football, his endorsement deals haven't quite risen to their levels. So, James and his LRMR Marketing company CEO Maverick Cole are hoping to obtain information on how to change that.

James will have a captive and interested in audience. His two biggest corporate sponsors - Coca-Cola and Nike - will be there, but Cablevision CEO James Dolan will also be there. And Dolan's presence has a lot of New Yorkers pretty excited.

Why you ask? Also an owner of the New York Knicks, Dolan is said to be lusting after James. They're especially interested in him because next year Cablevision is planning to spin off its Madison Square Garden unit and need to land a major draw to keep the seats filled. LeBron James could fill that role perfectly, and we know all too well of his love for New York.

While James reportedly told Trevor Ariza that he plans to stick around Cleveland beyond this season, we're pretty sure that some of the players at the Allen & Co. bash will be angling to win him over and lure him over to New York.

The bash's guest list changes by about 25 percent each year. Getting invited is a big deal, and suggests that one matters to the media business. Other first-time invitees said to be attending this year are CNBC's Erin Burnett, Newark, NJ Mayor Cory Booker, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Twitter co-founder Evan Williams.