sports
LeBron James Hands Over The Shop Hosting Duties at Fanatics Fest Without Announcing Free Agency
LeBron James completed his fourth and final Fanatics Fest appearance on July 17 without disclosing his plans. He handed over co-hosting duties of The Shop after eight years and reiterated his focus on competing at a high level.
Jul 17, 6:45 PM·1m read1 source
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LeBron James completed his fourth and final scheduled public appearance at Fanatics Fest on Friday at the Javits Center in New York without announcing his free agency decision. James appeared on stage for a live taping of The Shop that featured guests Novak Djokovic and Folarin Balogun.
He and Maverick Carter handed over hosting duties to Travis Bennett and Steelo Brim, ending an eight-year run as the show's main co-hosts.
Bennett responded, "The whole world is waiting on this. " NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said at a separate Fanatics Fest event on July 16 that James' choice would affect the league schedule, including opening week and Christmas Day. "Where LeBron plays will affect the schedule," Silver said.
James said his priority remains competing at a high level with a franchise that practices championship habits. He repeated the phrase "trust the process," which drew cheers from some Philadelphia 76ers fans in the audience of about 5,000. "I've been saying 'trust the process' since I was drafted in like 2003," he said.
James also noted the NBA's recent pattern of eight straight years with different champions. Multiple sources familiar with his thinking told ESPN that he is close to a decision, with many hoping it will come next week.
