TV

ESPN analyst Chris Broussard reported yesterday that he learned through “independent sources” that people associated with LeBron James contacted ESPN about airing a one-hour TV special tomorrow night to showcase the free agent’s impending decision. In case you’re keeping score, ESPN.com published an article about one of its reporters using “sources” to scoop company programming news. *face palm* James’ people suggested to the Worldwide Leader that they can sell sponsorships to advertisers and donate all proceeds to the Boys and Girls Club, and at approximately 9:55 p.m. ET the man who calls himself King will announce which team he will sign with.

James is the first free agent player presumably in any sport to announce his free agency decision via TV special, and it’s hardly a surprise that he would do something so grandstanding. Now it’s just a matter of which team the two-time MVP will play for. With all signs indicating that Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade will sign in Miami, it remains a toss-up between the Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, LA Clippers, Heat and, of course, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Clearly, Stephen A. Smith and his source are pulling for Miami.

You’re on in five, King James Gospel:

If I had to make a guess, I would say that LeBron is staying. He may be doing this to launch sort of new company or to help his friends failing marketing venture. I don’t know. He may go on ESPN Thursday and announce some great charity initiative he is starting in Cleveland. Maybe he is actually doing this to benefit someone other than himself.

He might be. He better be.

The decision to make his announcement via TV special has become an indicator to some NBA analysts, who haven’t learned a thing this past month, that LeBron will remain in Cleveland. However, if Bosh and Wade are indeed signing with the Heat, then the Cavs will be left with very few moves to accommodate James with another big name player. The Knicks, who have a $100 million agreement with Amar’e Stoudemire in place, and the Bulls with Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah already in place would seem to have an advantage.

Regardless, the TV special will either be feast or famine for the Cavaliers organization and Cleveland sports fans, as there’s a good chance it could be an hour-long goodbye to his hometown team. In which case, this will clearly make up for no new episodes of 30 Rock.