A viral message about LeBron James on X (formerly Twitter) recently made waves on social media in the US. It was less about his athletic ability and more about a humorous play on words. One of the most followed and scrutinized athletes, LeBron James is often the center of public attention, be it from his loyal fans or those who like to criticize him.
The viral message read: “LeBron James is sleeping with his new teammate's mother.” In a country where sports stars are treated like celebrities and their off-field activities are closely monitored, such a statement was bound to raise eyebrows. The allusion was even more remarkable given the setting: Los Angeles, home of Hollywood and the ever-watchful paparazzi.
However, the punch line became clear when looking at the details of LeBron's new “teammate.” His son, Bronny James, was recently signed by the Lakers and selected 55th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. In fact, LeBron is sleeping with his new teammate's mother – his wife Savannah James, who is also Bronny's mother. This humorous twist put the viral news into perspective and gave a light-hearted tone to what initially seemed like a scandalous rumor.
LeBron and Savannah, who have been together since high school, were married on September 14, 2013. The couple has three children: Bronny, Bryce and Zhuri. Even though Savannah envisioned a happy future with LeBron, she probably never imagined that her husband and eldest son would one day play together in the NBA. When that historic moment comes, Savannah will surely be one of the proudest women in the arena.
After the viral message gained traction online, Savannah responded with two emojis: one covering her mouth and another laughing. Her lighthearted response reflected her amusement at the playful comment and acknowledged the humor of the situation.
Savannah gave insights into her private life with LeBron in her podcast. Everyone is crazy. In one episode, she revealed a surprising aversion to the term “wife.” Before her wedding, she expressed frustration with LeBron introducing her as his wife, insisting that she didn't deserve that title until they were officially married.
“I hate and despise the term 'wife' with all my heart,” Savannah explained. “I had to tell LeBron, 'Please don't introduce me like that. I'm not your wife yet.'” It was very important to her to maintain the meaning of that title until her wedding.
Savannah's influence on LeBron goes far beyond their personal relationship. She plays a major role in his professional life, especially when making important decisions. For example, LeBron's involvement in leading the U.S. team for the upcoming Paris Olympics was significantly influenced by Savannah's input. According to ESPN's Tim Bontemps, LeBron didn't fully commit to playing until Savannah gave him her blessing to forgo her summer vacation.
Ultimately, this lighthearted story serves as a reminder of the James family's strong bond and how they operate together in the spotlight.
