Decision Day: LeBron James confirms on his website he’ll make announcement on TV

LeBron to announce decision on TV

AKRON, Ohio — LeBron James has confirmed on his relaunched website that he will end his free agency with an announcement Thursday night on ESPN.

James’ business manager, Maverick Carter, said Wednesday that James will say where he’s playing next season and beyond at 9 p.m. on the cable network.

“Due to the unprecedented attention and interest surrounding LeBron’s decision, we have decided to make this announcement on national television,” Carter said on lebronjames.com. “By doing so we have generated funds that will be given to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. LeBron has a longstanding commitment to giving back to the community, and has worked with the Boys and Girls Clubs in cities across the country.”

James also updated his new Twitter account with a link to his site.

It is not yet known where James will make the announcement. On big occasions in the past, he has gone to his alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. That’s where he said he was turning pro and where he accepted his first MVP trophy last year.

In May, he accepted his second straight MVP at Rhodes Arena on the University of Akron’s campus.

One day before announcing his plans, James rolled out of bed and went to his basketball camp. He arrived at Rhodes at 10 a.m., wearing his signature New York Yankees’ cap, T-shirt and shots. He plopped down on a courtside chair alongside former teammate Damon Jones and within minutes the back-to-back MVP was talking on his cell phone and sending text messages.

On Tuesday night, ESPN, citing “independent sources” said James had approached the network about the announcement, which will end a free-agent summer unlike any in NBA history.