Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James whipped social media into a mild frenzy Monday when he teased an announcement on Tuesday with the caption “The decision of all decisions.”
Amid speculation that James could be announcing his retirement or revealing his plans for his future in basketball, the decision was unveiled Tuesday morning — and it is that James will be selling a “limited edition” collaboration with Hennessy beginning in October.
The announcement was made essentially as a parody of “The Decision,” a widely criticized television event James and his team produced in 2010 during which he announced he would sign with the Miami Heat after having spent the first seven years of his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers. (James’ subsequent two free agent decisions came via a letter in Sports Illustrated and a news release by his agency, making many dubious that he would announce his retirement in the same manner as 2010.)
Those who did believe James could be retiring after this season paid the price — literally. Ticket prices for the Lakers’ last game of the season spiked after his initial post teasing the announcement.
The average price of tickets for Lakers games increased from $250 to $500 in the hour following James’ post, according to the ticket reseller StubHub.
James, who will turn 41 in December, is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. He is in the final year of his contract with the Lakers.
