Did Lebron James just announce retirement date? NBA icon ‘Second Decision’ post sparks ticket frenzy for Lakers

LeBron James' cryptic 'The Second Decision' post led to a surge in ticket prices for the Lakers' final home game, jumping from $82 to $580.

Published on: Oct 7, 2025, 20:05:38 IST

By Shweta Kukreti

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

LeBron James' mysterious “The Second Decision” social media post on Monday caused ticket sales for the Los Angeles Lakers' final home game of the 2025-26 regular season to rise significantly.

LeBron James tweeted a 10-second video dubbed "The Second Decision" with the caption "coming soo". (Getty Images via AFP)

Prior to James' post, the cheapest ticket for the April 12, 2026, game versus the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena cost $82.

On Monday evening, James tweeted a 10-second video dubbed "The Second Decision" with the caption "coming soo".

James is seen entering a gym, making his way to a chair beneath a basketball hoop, and then settling down next to an unidentified individual over a table.

‘The Second Decision’

After that, the caption verified the announcement's time and date: “The decision of all decisions. Oct. 7, 12 p.m. EST. (crown emoji) (saluting emoji) #TheSecondDecision.”

The video brought up memories of James' first statement regarding his move from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Miami Heat as a free agency on July 8, 2010, during a televised program called “The Decision.”

During an interview with Jim Gray, James famously declared, “I'm going to take my talents to South Beach.”

Also Read: LeBron James posts nostalgic video amid retirement rumors, 'Where do I start'

Is next NBA season would be LeBron James final one?

James, 40, has not yet stated if the next NBA season would be his final one. The “Second Decision” has sparked rumors that the four-time MVP will announce his plans to leave the league, but some have suggested that it is only a publicity stunt to advertise one of his numerous businesses.

“I'm excited about the opportunity to be able to play the game that I love for another season. However the journey lays out this year, I'm super invested, because I don't know when the end is. I know it's a lot sooner than later,” James had stated.

Lakers ticket price sees surge

Vivid Seats reports that single tickets for the Lakers' game against the Utah Jazz on April 12, 2026, increased from $82 to $580 each as fans rushed to reserve a spot at the Staples Center for a possible farewell game. The total cost of two tickets is $760.

If the Lakers make it to the postseason, James might continue playing in the play-in tournament, which is scheduled for April 14–17, 2026. In contrast, the NBA Finals begin on June 4 and might have a game seven on June 21.

The Lakers will face the Golden State Warriors on October 21 to kick off the season.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shweta Kukreti
Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More

Catch all the latest Sports News, scores, and highlights in one place. Stay updated with real-time coverage of your favorite games and athletes along with Lionel Messi latest updates.