LeBron James' viral 'decision' turns out to be an ad, not retirement
LeBron James fans, exhale. "The King" is not stepping down.
The NBA icon, 40, did not announce his retirement in a much-anticipated "decision" teased by James in a video posted to social media.
In fact, "the decision of all decisions," as James called it in his caption, was revealed Tuesday to instead be an advertisement for Hennessy.
"The decision of all decisions. October 7th. 12pm EST. 🫡👑 #TheSecondDecision," James wrote in an Instagram post on Monday, along with a video showing James walking into an interview setting on a basketball court, with a man sitting in a chair waiting for him.
"The Second Decision" flashed across the screen before the clip ended.
The tease, was a nod to James' 2010 live television announcement that he would be leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat.
Immediately after the teaser, speculation that James would be announcing his retirement swept the internet. James' post on Instagram was flooded with comments reacting to the tease, some pleading with him not to retire.
On Tuesday, it was revealed the tease was part of an ad campaign for Hennessy.
In a video dropping before the promised noon announcement, James mimicked his 2010 announcement, queuing up the advertisement with, "This fall I'm going to be taking my talents ..." before revealing the Hennessy plug.
"Cheers to year 23," read the caption of the post, alluding to his upcoming season.
Fans and followers reacted to the non-announcement in the comments, with one writing, "You know what!! 😭 had me on the edge of my seat 🤣."
The tease inspired another fan to comment, "i set my alarm for this!?"
James -- a four-time MVP, four-time NBA champion and the league's all-time leading scorer -- will become the first to play a 23rd season in the NBA when he takes to the court for the Lakers' opener on Oct. 21 against the Warriors.
