LeBron James is taking a break from social media, mentioning the alarming negativity he’s experienced online. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar made the announcement shortly after sharing a post on X from Rich Kleiman, CEO of Boardroom and business partner to Kevin Durant.
Kleiman criticized the current state of sports media for prioritizing negativity over constructive coverage. His post called out the industry’s tendency to gravitate toward controversy, urging a shift toward positive or educational content like the collaborative Mind the Game podcast featuring James and Lakers head coach JJ Redick and uplifting Olympic coverage that celebrated American athletes.
“With so much hate and negativity in the world today, it confuses me why some of national sports media still think that the best way to cover sports is through negative takes,” wrote Kleiman. “We can all acknowledge that sports is the last part of society that universally brings people together.”
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“So why can’t the coverage do the same? It’s only clickbait when you say it. When the platform is so big, you can make the change and allow us all an escape from real-life negativity. I, for one, find it all a waste of breath,” he continued. “The Olympics and JJ and Bron’s show was the future of what this can and should all be.”
James clearly agreed with the post and shared it to his account, adding “Amen” as his response. Five minutes later, he informed his followers of his decision to log off, writing, “And with that said I’ll holla at y’all! Getting off social media for the time being. Y’all take care.”
LeBron’s announcement comes after increasing conversations surrounding the internet’s ruthless nepotism comments on his son Bronny James. The 20-year-old was assigned to the South Bay Lakers and has been criticized for getting special treatment in the NBA G-League for only home games and not traveling with the team on the road.
LeBron and Bronny James became the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA game (
Getty Images)
Bronny has been handling double roles between the NBA and the G League. He was sidelined for the team’s next game against the Utah Jazz due to a left heel contusion.
James has averaged 0.7 points and 0.3 assists per game in his first six NBA appearances, shooting 16.7 percent from the field. His next chance to play could be on Thursday when the Lakers face off against the Orlando Magic.
Former NFL player and current host of “The Pivot” podcast, Ryan Clark, has joined the vocal internet group questioning the special treatment James appears to be receiving. The ex-Steelers safety said, “Professional sports is about how well you can contribute, and you don’t get treated differently because of your parents.”
