Cleveland ? Gov. Ted Strickland wants state transportation officials to back off any threat of removing a 10-story banner featuring Cavaliers star LeBron James.

The massive banner – an ad for shoemaker Nike Inc. – hangs on the side of a building near Quicken Loans Arena and violates federal highway beautification standards, said Lindsay Komlanc, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Komlanc said the banner is too big – federal rules require it to be under 1,200-square feet.

Strickland said the state should make allowances for art.

“I’d say it’s an impressive, emotive display,” Strickland said.