Stephen A. Smith tore into LeBron James after the pro baller revealed his cognac ad after much built-up hype.
Bron’s decision was touted as a “Second Decision,” but after the ad was revealed, Smith had plenty to say about it when asked by Peter Schrager during yesterday’s First Take.
“If you look at The Decision (in 2010, when James revealed his decision to join the Miami Heat) and the manner in which that was handled and the way it served to alienate folks back at that time,” said Smith.
"I don't understand why the second-greatest player who ever lived … would stoop to try and garner attention for himself with something other than trying to win a damn championship."@stephenasmith shares his thoughts regarding LeBron James' "Second Decision" pic.twitter.com/nJbCF336LA
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 8, 2025
“You would think that he wouldn’t want to remind people of that considering the heat he took from that and unfortunately, he was tone-deaf and that’s not the decision, that’s not the path that he took. This was corny as hell, it was cringy. It was all of that. We know this. You’re promoting an alcoholic beverage and trying to give people that this could be your final season, that you might end up retiring.”
Bron’s “Second Decision” stunt has earned him a lawsuit from fan Andrew Garcia, a 29-year-old Lakers fan, who is suing him in a small claims court for “fraud, deception, misrepresentation, and any and all basis of legal recovery.”
The decision of all decisions. October 7th. 12pm EST. #TheSecondDecision pic.twitter.com/1uop8sIU25
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 6, 2025
According to Garcia, he believed Bron was retiring from the Lakers, so he bought two tickets to the March 31, 2026, game between the Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers, believing it would be Bron’s final game.
The tickets cost him $865.66 for the two tickets, but after the reveal was just an ad, he says he was overcharged.