Lebron James’ ‘Second Decision’ reveal leaves fans disappointed

After setting the basketball world abuzz with a potential big announcement on Tuesday, Lebron James has finally revealed his ‘Second Decision”: a Hennessy advertisement.

The Los Angeles Lakers star’s “decisions of all decisions” turned out to be an announcement for a limited edition bottle of the cognac brand’s V.S.O.P line that features his signature “crowning” taunt. 

James’ event went on to have a playful nod to his iconic “I’m taking my talents to South Beach” line in the original “decision” in 2010.

“In this fall, I’m going to be taking my talents to Hennessy V.S.O.P,” James said in the announcement video posted by Hennessy.

Hennessy also referenced James’ original free-agency decision in its press release, celebrating the legacy of the four-time champion.

“To unveil the collaboration, Hennessy launched a social content campaign titled “The Second Decision” — a bold play on LeBron James’ iconic and viral ‘The Decision’ trade interview. Where the first moment marked a pivotal career move, this second decision celebrates a creative reunion and shared cultural legacy,” Hennessy wrote on a press release.

An anticlimactic announcement

The 40-year-old exercised his $52.6 million player option for the final year in his contract this offseason, leaving fans speculating on what his next move will be after the season.

Fans were left disappointed that the announcement wasn’t related at all to James’ career. Retirement talks ignited after James’ initial tease on Tuesday, and fans began to prepare themselves for what could have been one of the greatest NBA players ever’s plans to leave the court. Instead, what fans got was a social media ploy to promote a cognac brand.

Fans voiced their frustrations on social media with one X user even saying that James is starting to act like a “YouTube influencer.”

“LeBron somehow gets cornier everyday, this man will use fake retirement announcements to market a product. Bro you are a billionaire, please act like it. The dude is acting like a youtube influencer, using cheap tactics for attention,” a user wrote.

LeBron somehow gets cornier everyday, this man will use fake retirement announcements to market a product. Bro you are a billionaire, please act like it. The dude is acting like a youtube influencer, using cheap tactics for attention 🤦🏻‍♂️

— Jacob (@Jacobtheclipper) October 7, 2025

Yet some fans found the humor in the reveal, labelling it as a genius promotion tactic by the Lakers star and Hennessy.

“Bro I am crying- grown ass man we’re making TikToks crying about how they didn’t want him to retire, like having full on meltdowns, & tickets prices skyrocketing… just for LeBron James to drop an Ad for his alcohol 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭,” said a user.

Bro I am crying- grown ass man we’re making TikToks crying about how they didn’t want him to retire, like having full on meltdowns, & tickets prices skyrocketing… just for LeBron James to drop an Ad for his alcohol 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

pic.twitter.com/P9ogOLv2QI

— Krysta (@Krysta____) October 7, 2025

Even Lakers head coach JJ Redick got into the discussions, blasting fans who believed the retirement rumors.

“You guys are idiots… we all knew it was an ad right -– nobody was freaking out,” Redick said.

A compilation of Lakers reactions to LeBron James’ The Decision 2.0:
Rui Hachimura – “He loves to do that type of stuff”
Austin Reaves: “I got a couple calls, like, ‘What is this?’”
JJ Redick – “You guys are idiots” pic.twitter.com/SiujD19E9w

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 7, 2025

James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds to finish sixth in the MVP voting and make it into the All-NBA second team last season, and entering his 23rd season in the NBA, the four-time MVP and fellow star Luka Doncic will look to bring the Lakers back into the NBA mountaintop.

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