A lifelong Los Angeles Lakers fan has sued LeBron James over the NBA legend’s ‘The Second Decision’ announcement, alleging that it duped him out of hundreds of dollars, according to a report.
Andrew Garcia, 29, filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County, claiming that he believed that the Lakers icon had hinted that he would be retiring when he teased the incoming big announcement.
On Monday, James shared a video that teased ‘The Second Decision’ – a clear nod to the announcement over his move from Cleveland to Miami back in 2010, convincing many basketball fans that the 40-year-old was preparing to announce the end of his playing career ahead of his 23rd NBA season.
However, when the news eventually broke on Tuesday, it was revealed that James’s post was, in fact, an advert for his new collaboration with Hennessy, having signed a creative partnership with the brand last year.
Now, Garcia claims that James owes him $865.66 after he raced to Ticketmaster following Monday’s teaser to snatch up tickets to what he believed would be the basketball star’s final matchup against his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to TMZ.
Garcia says that he purchased two tickets worth $432.83 for the matchup, which is slated for March 31, 2026.
A lifelong Los Angeles Lakers fan has sued LeBron James over ‘The Second Decision’
Fans have ripped into LeBron James after he revealed the truth about his announcement
He has now accused James of ‘fraud, deception, misrepresentation, and any and all basis of legal recovery.’
‘I wouldn’t have purchased it if he wasn’t going to retire. Plain and simple,’ Garcia told TMZ.
Representatives for James were not immediately available for comment. James has yet to publicly comment on the backlash.
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’
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.
According to ESPN, prior to James’ post, the cheapest ticket for their game against the Utah Jazz on April 12th – their final game of the season – was priced at $82.
While many believed James was preparing to announce his retirement, in actuality, the post was an advert for his collaboration with Hennessy VSOP
However, after his teaser, the cheapest single ticket was priced at $580, amid fears that it could be Lebron’s final outing as a Laker – or in the NBA at all.
Instead, James announced his partnership with Hennessy, which he described as an ‘honor’ in a press release.
The misleading teaser had left many fans incensed, however, so far, Garcia is the only one to have taken his ire to court.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick fired back at the ‘idiots’ who believed the rumors of James’s retirement.
‘You guys are idiots,’ the coach said on Tuesday as he laughed off the claims. ‘We all knew it was an ad, right? I’m sure I got some texts. … I think most people that text me are also aware that it was probably an ad. Nobody was freaking out.’
James has been with the Lakers since 2018, winning an NBA Championship in 2020.
The team has inserted his good friend Redick as Los Angeles’ head coach and drafted son Bronny James to the team last year.
James has held a contract at the NBA’s maximum since 2014, with that figure likely coming to an end at the end of this season no matter what.
