In Defense of LeBron James and ESPN

The media coverage and reaction that has surfaced regarding LeBron James' move to Miami, "The Decision" television special, and ESPN's handling of the situation has as ESPN might explain "been the greatest single media, sports, and entertainment story" in the history of mankind.

Criticism has been that LeBron has damaged his brand, ESPN has tarnished its image, and that the show was bad idea from the outset.

But do ESPN and LeBron James deserve all of the criticism or was ESPN delivering on expectations and did LeBron simply take control of the situation?

Should critics be upset with LeBron or did LeBron simply turn the tables?

LeBron's every move for two years became headlines and people endlessly talked about his next team. Any word or reaction he had to a question received exhaustive coverage. His words, expressions, or laughter became the day's top story and the media reported all of it with bated breath.

Speculation was rampant about his next team. If LeBron wore a Yankees hat, it was proclaimed he would be a Knick. LeBron likes Jay-Z and his music, so surely he will be a Net. LeBron built a house in Ohio, so Cleveland is the place. LeBron grew up liking Michael Jordan, so Chicago will be his destination. LeBron wants to shine in the bright lights of Los Angeles like Kobe Bryant, so he must play for the Clippers. LeBron may or may not have had lunch with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, so Miami will be his choice.

If LeBron wanted to win, he must go to Chicago, if he wanted to be a global icon, he needed to move to New York, if LeBron wanted to be loyal, then he must choose Ohio.

LeBron's off-the-court activities often received more attention than his basketball skills as rumors swirled about where free agency would take him. He kept many of his current media critics in business as they had something to talk and write about. Suddenly, when LeBron took control of the situation and dictated terms of his announcement, the media struck a sour note because they had lost control. They had lost the ability to present LeBron and his actions in a way that benefited them.

How dare LeBron not call a press conference or present his information in front of an "objective" journalist who could ask whatever questions he or she wanted.

No longer were media outlets in the business of speculating about LeBron with countless minutes devoted to his every move. Each member of the media was denied the chance to grill him about his decision because a press conference wasn't used. Their opportunity at the spotlight had been denied. The media had been using LeBron's every action to cast a light on themselves with rampant speculation and commentary.

The media is now calling him selfish, egotistical, and only caring about self-promotion. But how many media outlets used his every move to bolster their reputation as investigative reporters or journalists as they commented on how he reacted to his reception at Madison Square Garden or where he spent his time in the offseason?

There is no longer purity in sports journalism.

Some of the outcry has been that LeBron and ESPN have suddenly damaged the purity of sports journalism. Newsflash: the purity of sports journalism has been long gone. It is hard to believe that the same journalists who were giving in-depth reports about LeBron's Yankee hat and therefore his imminent choice of being a Knickerbocker believe there was some kind of purity in sports journalism in 2010. Sports reporting jumped the shark a long time ago.

For years, ESPN has been explaining to its viewership and the rest of the sports media that sports and entertainment have merged. Vince McMahon and the WWE may have started the model with Hulkamania, but ESPN has perfected it with "The Decision."

The build-up of the merger of sports and entertainment has included, but is not limited to: "Playmakers," "The ESPYs," "Pros vs. Joes," the NFL's opening weekend concerts, and all of the top 40 music played under highlights.

ESPN brought the world the biggest sports and entertainment story in a format that combined the best and worst of sports and entertainment. Essentially, they delivered on their promise and outrage about it is years too late.

If viewers and the media didn't like the result, then they have been insanely blind to the past several years of sports television programming. ESPN has been telling the viewing public for years that sports and entertainment have merged and they were leading the way.

People who are purists and who want sports without the entertainment are called "old-fashioned" and out of touch with reality. But suddenly, after "The Decision," being a purist it seems is back in fashion.

For those who were disappointed, they should revaluate the phrase "combining sports and entertainment." Of course the real question is, "where have you been for the last 10 years?" Giving leagues and stars controlled environments and presenting them as entertainment is nothing new to ESPN and sports journalism in general.

Did LeBron go too far in creating "The Decision?" A different perspective might be that he is the first professional athlete to take control of the situation. LeBron negotiated the terms of his announcement and ESPN acquiesced. ESPN wanted the story. When an entertainer, newsmaker, or politician breaks news, it is often in a controlled environment with their choice of interviewer.

Yes, LeBron had control of the ad inventory and where the proceeds went. The proceeds went to charity. LeBron is not only guilty of wanting to control where and how he made an announcement, he is guilty of forcing a company to give money to a charity. Two crimes that when compared to the acts of other athletes don't seem to be too bad.

As for making an entire television show about his decision, there are countless media outlets dedicated to the decisions of high school prep stars choosing college schools. ESPN currently dedicates days of coverage to high school athletes picking up hats and making decisions on national signing days.

The NBA, the fans, and the media created LeBron and it is time to reap what you sow.

The NBA has embarked on a strategy since Larry Bird and Magic Johnson to emphasize stars. The league eras have been marked by names and not teams. LeBron didn't hijack the league, the league created a system, nurtured LeBron, and he is the first star to take full advantage of it.

Nike and the Cleveland Cavaliers told us to "Witness" LeBron and told us to endorse him as King James. Just about everyone did and now that LeBron has had made us witness his decision on his terms, people want to dethrone their chosen king.

He fulfilled his contract in Cleveland and he has now decided to go elsewhere.

Since high school, LeBron has been told he is the next era of basketball by the NBA, by sponsors, and by fans. He was given the keys to the NBA and global sports kingdom a long time ago.

As one of the premier sports icons of the world, yes, he may have taken a few liberties on July 8, but for over seven years, the media, city of Cleveland, NBA, and fans put him in this position. In the end, he took control of the situation and with all he has been told and given over the years he ultimately did it his way.

ESPN made the decision to air "The Decision" because LeBron and his team negotiated terms that were agreeable to both sides. The structure of the show adhered to the promises and expectations ESPN gave its viewing public and the direction of sports and journalism have been headed.

Entertainment and sports have officially merged and soon "The Decision" will look like serious investigative journalism compared to what will be done by ESPN, other athletes, and other media outlets.