This morning ESPNLA.com published a fascinating ‘night-in-the-life’ piece on LeBron James by ESPN staff writer Arash Markazi. Markazi was apparently granted full access to James and his entourage last Saturday night in Vegas at Tao nightclub.
Markazi is a longtime reporter, formerly of Sports Illustrated, charged with writing ESPNLA.com’s “Velvet Rope” blog. He’s a veteran of the Vegas party scene and is the last person on ESPNLA.com’s staff who would set out to author a hit piece on anyone.
So it was stunning to read Markazi’s reporting of the evening’s proceedings. Proceedings in which James and his manager Maverick Carter come off as immature, cliched posers.
Equally stunning was ESPN’s apparent decision to pull the piece from the ESPNLA.com website just hours after it was posted. Though the story was not gone from the ESPN site until after it had been reprinted on several message boards and sports blogs.
This afternoon ESPN issued a statement about the story being pulled from the site: “The story should have never been published. The draft was inadvertently put on the server before going through the usual editorial process. We are in the midst of looking into the matter.”
From talking to several sources with knowledge of the situation, it appears that a story of that magnitude, though ticketed to appear only on ESPNLA.com, should have been edited by Bristol editorial personnel - and wasn’t.
Unfortunately for ESPN, removing a story that paints LeBron James in a negative light from ESPNLA.com looks bad regardless of the circumstances. Especially when it is authored by someone with the resume and reputation of Markazi.
Darren Rovell of CNBC reported this afternoon:
LeBron’s business team says it had nothing to do with spiking ESPN.com’s Vegas story about him.
I have no doubt that “LeBron’s business team” is saying that publicly, but privately? I wouldn’t be so sure that LeBron’s handlers aren’t calling Markazi’s reporting into question with ESPN personnel in Bristol. I haven’t been told that, but having covered many of these types of stories over ther years, I wouldn’t rule it out.
I’ve been told that ESPN has not ruled out re-posting the story to the ESPNLA.com website after it goes through the company’s “usual editorial process”.
For Bristol’s sake, I hope they do.
With the story already now easily accessible on other sites, I’m reposting it here for your perusal.
3:30 pm on July 28th, 2010
I wouldn’t say he comes off as childish. Reads more like he’s having a muted good time because he’s being paid to do so.
It’s also a strange report in that it doesn’t attempt to present any kind of statement; it merely lists Markazi’s observations of Jame’s activities.
Maybe the velvet rope blog is always like that. But, normally when a writer has that kind of access to a subject, the story would use details about the occasion to support an overt theme about how Lebron has questionable flunkies, or is a kid at heart, or is a consummate pro no mater what he’s getting paid to do, or whatever.
I think the published story really is the “filler” and the writer or editor hadn’t yet decided on the point they wanted to make.
3:40 pm on July 28th, 2010
Brooks, ESPN should pay you for posting that story because I would have never read it without your intro. This story is neither interesting nor does it paint him as a punk.
I guess there’s a niche for these stories but I couldn’t care less what Lebron does at night clubs.
As for ESPN’s concerns about making LeBron look like a punk betch? Well, no need to worry there. He already did that himself by: 1) trying to get the cameraman to erase tapes of Jordan Crawford dunking on him instead of taking him down the court and dunking on him the next 10 trips, 2) by sitting out with his little owwie, 3) joining up with another star because he couldn’t win a championship on his own, and 4) that STOOPID 1 hour show.
3:52 pm on July 28th, 2010
wow what a tool this kid is…wish he could see how stupid he looks whenever he does anything but dribble that little orange ball around
3:54 pm on July 28th, 2010
I THINK LEBRON IS GAY!
3:58 pm on July 28th, 2010
He comes off as a 25-year-old kid with a lot of money and not a lot of social savvy.
In other words, just like any 25-year-old kid would probably be in the same situation.
But it ruins the carefully-constructed persona, so the article had to go…
4:09 pm on July 28th, 2010
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, whoa, sorry…did I miss something?
4:10 pm on July 28th, 2010
“Lebron James is just as big of a tool as other 25 year olds with too much money.” Lebron James
4:23 pm on July 28th, 2010
Stories like this is why I hate the media. Let’s see a 25 year old millionaire in Vegas is getting knocked because he’s in a club with go go dancers and doing basketball moves on the floor of the casino? Give me a break….follow anyone else around Vegas for three days and im sure you’ll come back with much more juicier dirt then what’s contained here. I guess had he been paying for hookers,doing blow and blowing his kids college scholarships at the poker table…then that would have been the grown up thing to do. He dances and stands on couches in VEGAS and were going to pretend like the rest of us don’t do the same thing. Smh…
4:25 pm on July 28th, 2010
Thats it?….Thats it?….Thats it?
Man if i was 25 with 100 mil, I would have coke flown in from Medellín from Pablo escobars bi-racial step niece individually wrapped in the skin of dyslexic Cambodian new borns, and i would wash it down with a $700,000 bottle of old Swedish models liquifide into a Nordic cognac liqueur.
4:38 pm on July 28th, 2010
What’s so bad about that article? Just sounds like he is partying in Vegas. Is it cause he wished girls were not wearing underwear?
Over protecting his image. This was nothing compared to how bad he looked on that stupid decision show.
4:47 pm on July 28th, 2010
He is just a poor imitator of me ! I hope he tears his ACL !
5:35 pm on July 28th, 2010
I echo most everyone else here, as I really don’t see what is so damning here. Sure, Lebron’s pantomimed basketball moves while walking through the casino is a bit weird, but most everything else in this article is rather boring.
6:09 pm on July 28th, 2010
I was bangin’ out LeBron’s mom FROM THE BACK while he was clubbin’ it up in Vegas. Didn’t even wear a condom…..
6:51 pm on July 28th, 2010
This was much ado about nothing! Ridiculous that that article was written, posted and removed by ESPN AND then that posting and removal being reported by you! I guess even the good sites have slow days.
7:20 pm on July 28th, 2010
Best part of the article is the dance off with Lamar Odom and the Glenn Davis sighting. I don’t know why the article was pulled but i suspect it was ESPN overreacting as usual. When will some billionaire put up some dough and take ESPN on. We need another 24/7 sports network to call ESPN out on TV. Blogs do good work but not nearly enough exposure to make ESPN repent. War more articles like this one about LeBron.
7:22 pm on July 28th, 2010
The important thing is that he spend his money and not collect welfare.
7:59 pm on July 28th, 2010
Look, it’s all muscle memory with these guys… if you check upstairs, all the rooms are empty..
8:44 pm on July 28th, 2010
thank you for giving me something pointless to read while this joke of a baseball game is on (Indians v Yankees).
9:32 pm on July 28th, 2010
So it’s official. ESPN is basically acting as part of his PR department.
9:35 pm on July 28th, 2010
LRMR is the worse idea since Sonny Corleone was made the acting Don.
9:39 pm on July 28th, 2010
LeBron’s missteps:
The Hummer in HS.
The throwback jerseys, also HS.
The failure to shake the Magic’s hands after Game 6 2009 Conference Finals.
Getting dunked on at his camp and confiscating the tape.
Game 5 vs Celtics.
The Decision.
And now this.
He was in Vegas but unable to play for the US team.
Czabe was onto this fraud last year.
9:39 pm on July 28th, 2010
Maverick Carter, the gift the keeps giving.
12:07 am on July 29th, 2010
“It’s also a strange report in that it doesn’t attempt to present any kind of statement; it merely lists Markazi’s observations of Jame’s activities.”
“I think the published story really is the “filler” and the writer or editor hadn’t yet decided on the point they wanted to make.”
It’s not the reporter’s job to inject his point of view or make any point. He’s a professional reporter writing a feature. That means he has to present an unbiased story. It’s facts only here, no editorializing with his opinion or a specific slant. He observed and wrote what he saw. He did his job. It’s a feature on LeBron James in Las Vegas. There is no conflict, so quotes really aren’t required here. It’s not a hard news piece. It’s a feature. The reporter blankly reported what he saw without bias so as to allow readers to come to their own conclusions. Mission accomplished.
The uproar here is that the facts are outlandish. A waiter on a wire in an Indiana Jones getup? Nude women in a bathtub? James acts like he’s shooting jumpers in a casino? This is insane. And the real problem for James is that the side of him portrayed in this piece is not like what is seen in commercials, so it is a problem. He reveals a lack of authenticity here. That could be a problem for James down the line when companies are looking for an endorser. This will cost him money. It won’t be very noticable, but he has damaged himself with his behavior once again.
3:46 am on July 29th, 2010
Wow, that was good reading.
I’m just glad for all the folks who work for tips in my home town that another NBA all-star weekend didn’t breakout with all the cling-ons and wannabes.
From all the descriptions given, it doesn’t sound like many of the fans/cling-ons even got a taste of Lebron hand shakes or knuckles.
Nice promo, party with Lebron!
Didn’t hear of casino diners being stiffed with the bills or visitors being robbed like happened multiple times during the all-star week.
7:24 am on July 29th, 2010
This is quite sad, that people decided to make something negative out of this, are we so pitiful as a people that we can only react with jealousy and negative words, just because someone enjoys themselves?
He was not depicted as drunk, out of control, using drugs, touching women inappropriately or anything else….so why the hate?
Why is not all of the hate directed at the owners who hired him, he did not give himself a contract? He did not give Bosh a contract, he did not give Wade a contract…..if there is rage should it not be directed at the people who caused it?
9:42 am on July 29th, 2010
“roundball nailed it
In-and-itself this article is nothing,, but, as posted earlier,, add it to countless other oddities and it paints a not-so-flattering portrait of Joker James. Representing the pinnacle of complete excess and influencing the youth of America is the real train-wreck. It’s sad that some people emulate egomaniacs like James, Tiger, and any other gifted athlete who think that they live in the real world. ,, no jealously here,, It’s way to empty of a life… how many kids does this dude have? .. hmmmm look at the picture again,, yes,,, I see a loving father… NOT !!!
10:55 am on July 29th, 2010
I would expect to find this article on TMZ and not ESPN. How is this sports reporting? Anything LeBron is what ESPN is all about. Reporting on LeBron doing fake bball moves is all the sports they need to make it an official sports article. Now we see why he had no time to join USA team in Vegas this summer. He rather party with his entourage and an empty niteclub.
11:38 am on July 29th, 2010
I’m kind of shocked Markazi would write something like this since he is “behind the velvet ropes”. Who is going to let him hang out anymore. If he can try and make Lebron look bad, no one is safe. Doesn’t seem like a solid career move if that is to be his moniker. To be an insider, you have to have the trust of those allowing access.
12:44 pm on July 29th, 2010
BORING … don’t worry guys he is going to learn to party here in Miami.
Next time in Vegas he will go straight to the Spearmint Rhino… Tao what a pussy.
1:38 pm on July 29th, 2010
Yawn. That is news?
2:32 pm on July 29th, 2010
Really Robert C? THIS is going to go noticed? This is “damaging” to himself? Companies want names people know and recognize to spread their own name and make money. Everyone knows LeBron. He gets the word out. If you honestly think this is going to bring a negative connotation to his name, you are just slow, sir. This is how I think the majority of professional athletes are. They are young and have more money than they know what to do with, so they enjoy their life the only way they know how. Vegas brings out the worst in people and personally, like so many other people have mentioned, this is nothing compared to how bad it actually could have been.
As for “F1.” Just because you say “no jealously here” doesn’t give validity to that statement, since you obviously are in fact jealous. He is young and happy and doing what he loves most in this world as a profession. I only wish I could be blessed with the talent and size he has and could do what I want for the rest of my life. Instead, we get pissed at him because he is a “traitor” for wanting to win some championships. He wants to achieve the #1 goal every single other professional athlete wants to achieve, but not for our team, so let’s hate him. Ridiculous. Sit there in your cubicle reading articles about LeBron and his life and be jealous, since it seems like you are way ahead of me on that one.
I am not a Miami fan, nor am I a LeBron fan. The fact that everyone is stressing over this little shit just shows how much you are jealous, whether you want to admit it or not. The first step is acceptance everyone. Good luck.
2:34 pm on July 29th, 2010
The most telling part of the article was the bit about Glen Davis. In that part alone, Markazi is giving you the “editorial content”.
4:43 pm on July 29th, 2010
Lebron lost his reigh as KING when h took a trip to miami.And no he isn’t married BUT he does has 2 kids.One thing for sure have fun lebron.You won’t get a ring and you won’t get a father of the year award.WTG LOSER
9:47 pm on July 29th, 2010
BORING … don’t worry guys he is going to learn to party here in Miami.
Next time in Vegas he will go straight to the Spearmint Rhino… Tao what a pussy.
12:48 am on July 30th, 2010
Lebron…..is a freaking jerk!!!!! That piece of garbage destroyed his image and HOPEFULLY his market has been destroyed!!! Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas, Patrick (my draft card was bent) Ewing, fans…..can all sigh a collective relief…..this MiniPad has had his day…..who cares what he puts up in stats from now on….doesn’t matter…PIECE OF $HIT!!!!
1:21 pm on July 30th, 2010
That was a great article…I have no clue why ESPN would pull it or why Lebron would be even be offended by it (Word is he liked the story)…I thought the way the story was written really infused the visual aspect of the ordeal instead of making claims on James character…It was a very visceral article that really had me seeing this whole night through my mind’s eye…There was nothing even remotely incriminating mentioned…Dude is doing dribble moves vs. slot machines? I fake-dribble when I’m walking the halls at work from time to time, hardly a small deal let alone a BIG one…This article was much ado about nothing, but a very enjoyable article nonetheless…At it’s conclusion whatever it was I thought about Lebron (and happen to still like him), nothing was change…
2:48 pm on July 30th, 2010
Who gives a shi* what the idiot does ?
2:51 pm on July 30th, 2010
LeBron Tyson, the next self proclaimed King of Nothing
5:45 pm on July 30th, 2010
is there nothing else to report but everything dat LB does? i hope y’all realize soon dat he’s only human…dis sh*t is gettin real old
6:48 pm on July 30th, 2010
It’ll be interesting to see how well LBJ’s “boys” manage his finances - no offense, but with all that $$, I think I’d pick someone with a little more financial planning experience. THumbs up on the party planning though….
6:53 pm on July 30th, 2010
The point of THIS article isn’t that Lebron was partying in Vegas - it was the PULLING OF THE LEBRON ARTICLE BY ESPN based on what was said in the article. Some of the quotes are a clue MAYBE into James’ thinking,”I wish they’d have one of those girls with no panties do that instead of the guy”. I can agree with him, but to say that when you have a REPORTER with you is just dumb and immature even dumber is having a reporter when you are hangin in a place that essentially seems like a strip club when your image is being endorsed to CHILDREN. But that’s besides the point. It was a boring article (the ESPN article) that shouldn’t have been pulled, thereby creating a bigger problem than if they had just let it be.
6:57 pm on July 30th, 2010
We all know he’s human, just didn’t think he’d be this dumb…if ur gonna be human don’t bring a reporter with you to RECORD everything you do when you do it. He has a public image to uphold and needs better management than his homeboy, period.
2:17 am on July 31st, 2010
Why do we all judge each other? Use that time to do something posive for your self, family members, others or the planet. Basketball is just a game people that has winners and losers.
9:26 am on July 31st, 2010
What, no snorting cocaine off of nude women? Nobody got shot in the general area? Lebron left without being carried out or arrested? I may not like the guy but it sounds like he was just out having a good time. It’s called freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Censorship is a dangerous thing, there’s nothing wrong with the original story.
8:50 pm on August 31st, 2010
MJ and LJ is my favourite star