LeBron James' 'The Decision' was surprisingly a fan's idea, confirms ESPN documentary

Few moves have caught as much attention over years in NBA as LeBron James' decision to leave Cleveland Cavaliers, in what has since been regarded as one of greatest sports stories of all time. news was delivered during 'LeBron James Decision', which was brocast via a television special in 2010. Ten years after special, reports revealed that special was actually a fan's idea. 

Also re | LeBron James, Tom Bry to co-produce sports documentary 'Greatness Code' with Apple: LeBron James documentary

LeBron James Decision was actually a fan's idea

In a recent report, ESPN revealed that James' show was actually idea of a fan. As per ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr, inspiration was taken from a fan's question sent to n-ESPN writer Bill Simmons. ESPN reported that fan, Drew Wagner, suggested idea in question he asked – What if LeBron anunces he will pick his 2010-11 team live on ABC on a certain date for a show called 'LeBron's Choice? What of crazy ratings would that get?

reports ded that during All-Star Game weekend in February 2010, Simmons pitched idea of LeBron James Decision to James' business partner Maverick Carter, n-nt Leon Rose and James' visor William Wesley. In an email, Simmons wrote that Rose and Wesley has loved idea. After ir approval, Simmons pitched idea to senior ESPN executives.

At time, Simmons suggested a 90-minute documentary which free ncy recruitment tour called ' Courting of King' along with 'LeBron's Decision' where LeBron James would choose his new team in free ncy on live show. Both shows were to be aired on ABC. show was finalised that year in June when Maverick Carter spoke with Hollywood nt Ari Emanuel and brocaster Jim Grey, who hosted show. 

In end, n-ESPN president John Skipper gave James and Carter an hour of brocast time on July 8. LeBron James Family Foundation n donated $2 million to national Boys and Girls Clubs of America. While talking to Van Natta, Wagner revealed that he used to enjoy Simmons' mailbag 'quite a bit' and thought that James would anunce where he would go like same way ' kids do and anunce it live on TV'. Wagner recently found out about him being inspiration behind show and h believed it to be an 'odd coincidence' before that. He told ESPN that he was t aware of how things worked and always believed 'in back of his mind' that maybe he gave birth to idea somehow, but did t think he deserved anything in return. 

Also re | LeBron James believed that losing to Celtics in 2012 would have broken up Heat's 'Big 3': LeBron James Decision, LeBron James tre, LeBron James documentary

James' reaction received massive backlash from  Cleveland Cavaliers fans as he decided to move to South Beach. However, James returned to Cavaliers, winning a championship in 2016 along with four back-to-back finals appearances. While with Heat, James won m two consecutive championships (2012, 2013). In 2018, James left Cavaliers for second time to join Los Angeles Lakers. 

Also re | LeBron James' media company to produce docu-series on infamous Astros cheating scandal: LeBron James documentary

LeBron James Decision 

Also re | From Cavaliers to Lakers, here is a look at 'King James' legacy: LeBron James Decision, LeBron James tre and LeBron James Miami Heat, LeBron James documentary

(Im source: NBA stats official Twitter)