When LeBron James first joined the Cleveland Cavaliers, Rich Griggs made a pact with a friend to get Cavs tattoos if the team ever won a championship.
With the team’s victory on Sunday, Griggs plans to follow through with his promise — and to offer the same opportunity to other stalwart fans.
Griggs, who owns Assassin Tattoo Studio in West Akron, is offering free tattoos from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. He is, however, asking for a donation of at least $23 — an homage to James’ jersey number — with the proceeds going to the LeBron James Family Foundation.
“Hopefully, some kid goes through there and it helps them out,” Griggs said, referring to the foundation’s pledge, along with the University of Akron, to provide college help to 2,300 Akron kids. “Then, we’ll have another championship in Cleveland one day.”
The studio is among at least three in Northeast Ohio — with the others in Willoughby and Cleveland — that have offered free tattoos to mark the Cavs’ victory that ended Cleveland’s 52-year championship drought. James, an Akron native, was crowned the Most Valuable Player of the Finals on Sunday night.
Griggs said his studio’s five artists will ink one of five simple Cavs designs, with one being a ‘C’ with a sword through it. He is still working on two of the designs.
For fans who want a more elaborate Cavs tattoo, Griggs will allow them to set an appointment for a later date and throw in a 23 percent discount.
The free tattoos will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with fans signing a sheet when they arrive at the 1947 W. Market St. studio that is in the plaza behind CVS in the Wallhaven neighborhood. The studio moved to its present location about a year and a half ago after being displaced by the new Taco Bell at West Market and Frank Boulevard.
Griggs plans to ask other nearby merchants to offer food and drink discounts for fans to enjoy while they wait.
Griggs and his friend will be among the fans who get Cavs tattoos, though Griggs has one small dilemma: where to put it. Griggs, 34, lost count of his many tattoos at 50.
“I’ve got to find a little spot,” he said, chuckling. “I have a ‘330’ on my left arm. I might get it next to that.”
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @swarsmithabj and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/swarsmith.