All you need to know about the LeBron James’ TV Show, The Decision
More than ten years ago, “The Decision,” an extraordinary ESPN special that put an end to one of the craziest free-agency periods in the league history, was immediately perceived as a complete PR disaster. LeBron James and the Heat will play the greatest villains in the league this season, thanks in large part to the criticism LeBron and ESPN received for the awful organisation of the show, The Decision, from both fans and critics.
With a few simple words on July 8, 2010, LeBron James forever altered the NBA landscape: “I’m going to take my talents to South Beach.”
Despite its inadequacies, “The Decision” did have a significant impact that LeBron James’ NBA teammates profited from. Superstars could now take charge of their careers, ushering in the era of player empowerment.
Some unknown facts about LeBron James’ show, The Decision
No one in LeBron James’ circle of friends or a TV producer came up with the initial concept for “The Decision.” Actually, Bill Simmons’ mailbag had a fan request. David Stern, a former NBA commissioner, fiercely opposed “The Decision.” He urged ESPN to call it off. John Skipper, a former ESPN executive, said to Van Natta: “I think [he didn’t like it] probably because the player was in charge here.”
ESPN didn’t initially choose Jim Gray to host “The Decision.” There was no opportunity for bargaining, even though he didn’t even work for ESPN at the time.
Van Natta said that studio executives wanted anyone like Stuart Scott or Bob Ley to sit next to James at the Greenwich Boys and Girls Club. Gray, who had spoken to Carter and agent Ari Emanuel about creating a TV special and interrogated James while he was in high school, was required to participate in the show by James’ team.
