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Basketball fans have been left furious after LeBron James revealed the truth behind his cryptic social media post, which many thought was a retirement announcement.
On Monday, the Lakers star shared a video that teased 'The Second Decision' - a clear nod to the announcement over his move from Cleveland to Miami back in 2010.
Many fans believed that LeBron was preparing to announce the end of his playing career ahead of his 23rd NBA season but, on Tuesday, the truth was revealed.
It turns out that LeBron's post was, in fact, an advert for his new collaboration with Hennessy, having signed a creative partnership with the brand last year.
Though NBA fans will be delighted that LeBron didn't retire - at least for now - there was still a majority who were left incensed by the 40-year-old's misleading teaser.
Taking to X shortly after the video was posted, one fan, who evidently feared a retirement announcement, wrote: 'Don't you EVER pull that stunt again'.
Fans have ripped into LeBron James after he revealed the truth about his announcement
While many believed James was preparing to announce his retirement, in actuality, the post was an advert for his collaboration with Hennessy VSOP
Another wrote: 'LeBron really had half the league holding its breath for an ad. The man knows how to run the internet as well as the court.'
'This is nasty work bruh I almost dropped a major bag on tickets thinking my dawg was retiring man. Who okay’d this!?,' one disgruntled user said.
As a result of fan fears that LeBron could be playing his final season in the NBA, ticket prices for the Lakers' final game of the regular season sky-rocketed.
Meanwhile, in a press release the Lakers star said: 'It's an honor to continue this partnership with Hennessy.
'Our first collection was about a shared pursuit of excellence and boundary pushing, and this new limited edition is another chapter in that story.
'The design features my crowning gesture, which is special for me and stands for celebration and connection. That's what this bottle is made for.'
A statement regarding the bottle's second release claim that it's 'a continuation of the pair’s creative partnership that merges Hennessy’s timeless craftmanship with LeBron’s inspiring style and cultural legacy.
'The bottle presents the image of the athlete’s iconic ‘crowning’ gesture onto a newly designed vibrant orange design – a bold colourway inspired by LeBron’s spirit and energy, along with the celebratory nature of the game'.
The Lakers star is entering his 23rd season in the league and speculation remains that, at the end of the year, he could finally call an end to his illustrious career.
The announcement was confirmed by Hennessy's official social media accounts on Tuesday
Fans were left incensed by LeBron's announcement amid fears that he was going to retire
The bottle presents the image of LeBron's iconic ‘crowning’ gesture onto a new design
James will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2026 season, when he will be 41, leaving many to believe that it could be his final year in the league.
Those fears were only heightened on Monday after James shared a video onto his social media accounts which teased a major announcement.
The caption read: 'The decision of all decisions. October 7th. 12pm EST. #TheSecondDecision'
It was a clear nod to the ESPN special - titled 'The Decision' - which James starred in back in 2010 to announce that he was leaving the Cavaliers for the Miami Heat.
Similarly to that announcement 15 years ago, LeBron began the video by sitting down and being asked where he's going to be 'taking his talents'.
He replied: 'In this fall - man, this is tough - I'm going to be taking my talents to Hennessy VSOP. That was the conclusion I woke up with this morning'.
For some fans, LeBron's teaser drew memories of Snoop Dogg's announcement back in 2023 that he was 'quitting' smoking - which turned out to be an advert for a smokeless fire pit.
