This July marks a decade since LeBron James announced “I am taking my talents to South Beach.” The Decision is not only remembered for being the start of “The Heatles,” but also as one of the most controversial moments of LeBron’s NBA career and ESPN’s existence.
With the tenth anniversary of the event just around the corner, ESPN is looking back on the night and offering some new perspective. Don Van Nata Jr’s documentary series Backstory has a special episode all about The Decision set to air next week.
Backstory: The Decision will air on June 28 and feature interviews with former ESPN president John Skipper, Vince Doria, who served as ESPN’s Vice President and director of news at the time, and several ESPN talents past and present. In addition to showing behind the scenes footage and discussing how the TV special came together, Backstory: The Decision will also look at the ripple effects The Decision had on both the NBA and ESPN.
Van Natta said in a press release that the effects The Decision had on James as an individual and a businessman are clear and will also be explored in the episode of Backstory.
“LeBron’s experience on The Decision was the launching pad for his own shows sold to multiple networks and helped him sharpen his voice on a wide array of important issues beyond the basketball court.”
After debuting at 9 pm on June 28, Backstory: The Decision will air at 11 pm that night on ESPN 2 and then be available on demand through the ESPN App before eventually making its way to ESPN+.
