James retirement is still a hot commodity! Major media will start a battle: Comment on the same stage with Jordan?

On June 21, according to Sports Business Magazine, the growing business partnership between James and Amazon, the largest U.S. retailer, could lead him to eventually joining Amazon's upcoming NBA event coverage. Major media are expected to start a battle for him, and James may play on the same stage with Jordan in the future. In a new "What's going to happen next?" theme advertisement for Amazon Prime Member Day in 2025, 40-year-old James humorously teased the topic of retirement. James told the Hollywood Reporter that Prime's new NBA team members "get it, appreciate it, and talk about it in a positive way." "So, I think Amazon will do a great job of showing off our sports; (those talents) love our sports. They have outstanding intelligence, great reviews and profound insights - I'm really looking forward to it. Like I said, those who sign up, they'll do great things." The podcast of James' collaboration with Nash aired on the Wondery platform, which was acquired by Amazon in 2020 for $300 million. The 21-time All-Star player, who is estimated to have a net worth of $1.2 billion, sells products on Prime.

Only James himself knows when he will retire after playing for 22 seasons in the NBA. He has a $52.2 million player option in the 2025 season. Famous media person Flanagan predicts that when James announces his retirement, the league's media partners - Prime, NBC and ESPN - will have "great" interest.

"Based on my source, Prime, NBC and ESPN will talk to James," said an executive who asked not to be named. "This is a meeting you have to attend, just to see what he wants to do." But given the grudge between James and A-Smith, ESPN may face the biggest difficulty in recruiting James. In March, James clashed with A-Smith over comments about his son Brownie. A-Smith told Rolling Stone that there is still a grudge between them. “I don’t like him, nor do he like me,” A-Smith said.

There are other factors at work here. Flanagan said that Tom Brady's huge 10-year, $375 million contract to broadcast the NFL games with Fox Sports actually resets the industry's standards. This also allowed some superstars to see the money-making opportunities in the sports media field. Even Jordan will appear as a "special contributor" this season in NBC's NBA coverage (previously, reports that the report of Jordan earning $40 million a year is fake). Warriors star Curry is also interested in engaging in related jobs after retirement.

"I would compare him (James) to Brady in the rugby. I think James has shown a greater interest in the media from early in his career than Brady," Flanagan said. "Oh my God, I have such a legendary experience. Can you imagine Michael Jordan and LeBron James playing NBA live broadcasts?"