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LeBron James Will Announce His Free-Agent Decision on ESPN Prime Time

In a move that probably rewrites the laws of journalism the world over, NBA superstar free-agent LeBron James will announce his much-anticipated signing decision Thursday... during a live hour-long telecast on ESPN. And you thought American Idol dragged things out!

The Worldwide Leader in Sports "broke" the news late Tuesday night -- which means that someone checked the program guide -- but now what: Do they report on the story if they find out where LeBron is signing (favorites include staying put in Cleveland or heading off to New York, Chicago or Miami), or do they hold any information to insure that their 9 p.m. broadcast gets the highest ratings possible? Likely the latter, but who cares!? This is like The Bachelor but with a bag full of money instead of a bimbo. Or, wait -- since Stephen A. Smith is going to be there, this is just like The Bachelor. Now if only ESPN can get Chris Harrison to host.

ยท James Will Reveal His Decision on Live TV [NYT]