LeBron James punked everyone.
The Lakers star announced an ad with Hennessy on Tuesday after nearly breaking the internet with his “The Second Decision” teaser Monday on social media.
“Well, everyone’s on pins and needles across the country,” an unidentified man says to James while sitting across from him on an empty basketball court. “Ready to go LeBron? Where’s the powder?”
James, who laughed, said, “I left it at home,” referring to his chalk toss pregame ritual.
“Fans want to know where you’re taking your talents this year? What’s your decision?” the man says.
“Man this is tough,” the four-time NBA champ replies. “In this fall, I’m going to be taking my talents to Hennessy VSOP… that was the conclusion I woke up with this morning.
“I feel like it’s going to give me the best opportunity to win at hosting, not only that, win at signature cocktails, win at at a good time, win at impressive guess, win at making memories, win at making it look easy, win at leaving people wanting more… I like my decision.”
James — who’s entering his 23rd season and turning 41 in December — shared the ad on X, including a winking face, a tongue-out emoji and a crown.
The video was a reference to his infamous “Decision,” when he sat across from Jim Gray at the Boys and Girls Club in Greenwich, Conn., on July 8, 2010 to announce he was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers and taking his talents to South Beach, where he won two championships with the Heat alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in 2012 and ’13.
James received significant criticism for making his free-agency plans a broadcast event.
James returned to Cleveland in 2014 and led them to the franchise’s first championship in 2016.
Many believed James was hinting at a career announcement amid retirement rumors and ticket prices for the Lakers’ home finale this season skyrocketed.
“This is nasty work bruh I almost dropped a major bag on tickets thinking my dawg was retiring man. Who tf okay’d this!?” one fan wrote on X.
“This could’ve been an email,” added another.
Questions rose about his playing future after the Lakers’ season-ending loss to Minnesota in May, when he sustained a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee.
James was rumored to want out of the Lakers after his agent, Rich Paul, released a statement regarding the 21-time All-Star accepting his $52.6 million player option that led with “LeBron wants to compete for a championship.”
James has a no-trade clause in his contract.
Hennessy announced that they’re partnering with James to celebrate his 23rd NBA season.
“When the world’s leading cognac-maker meets a basketball icon, the result is a cultural milestone; a limited edition V.S.O.P.,” the website reads.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
