LeBron James teased 'the decision of all decisions' announcement. It was an ad

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James had another “decision” to announce. Turns out, it was an ad.

The Los Angeles Lakers star teased that he would have something to say Tuesday. The “decision” reference is a nod to how he announced in July 2010 that he was joining the Miami Heat.

It was supposed to come out at noon Eastern, but Hennessy — the cognac brand that James has been partners with for some time — made the announcement public about 90 minutes ahead of schedule. James' training schedule for the day changed, the brand said, necessitating the change in release plans.

“This fall, I'm going to be taking my talents to Hennessy V.S.O.P,” James said in the clip. Even the wording he used in that announcement mirrored how he announced that he was joining the Heat 15 years ago with his infamous “take my talents to South Beach” line.

Hennessy announced that it would be releasing a limited edition orange bottle featuring James' name on the label and his signature “crowning” gesture — a nod to his “King James” moniker. “Where the first moment marked a pivotal career move, this second decision celebrates a creative reunion and shared cultural legacy,” Hennessy said in the release announcing the move.

James teased the campaign by posting on X that he would be making “the decision of all decisions." The short video shows him walking toward a chair, then taking a seat opposite another man seated a few feet away — mildly reminiscent of the setup for his first “decision” when he sat opposite broadcaster Jim Gray for a televised announcement of the news that he was joining the Heat.

Social media went wild with speculation after the Monday post, as would be expected. James — the NBA's all-time leading scorer — turns 41 in December and is not only the NBA's oldest current player but also is about to set a record by appearing in his 23rd season in the league. He is not under contract past this season, which prompted obvious wondering if this would be how he announces a retirement plan.

Ticket prices for the Lakers’ final regular season game in April soared on Monday on secondary markets, with fans willing to spend big money just in case James does decide that this season is his last.

There were also many guesses on social media — correct ones, it turned out — that the latest “decision” would be James participating in an ad campaign of some sort.

“I like my decision,” James says at the end of the ad.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) and Bronny James (9) pose for photos during the NBA basketball team's media day in El Segundo, Calif., Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James shares a laugh with a reporter during the NBA basketball team's media day in El Segundo, Calif., Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, talks with assistant coach Scott Brooks during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, in Palm Desert, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers' Lebron James stands on the court before an NBA basketball preseason game against the Golden State Warriors, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

MOSCOW (AP) — A court in Moscow on Friday began considering a lawsuit filed by the central bank against Euroclear, the Brussels-based clearing house that holds the bulk of Russian assets frozen by the European Union.

The lawsuit seeks to recover 18.2 trillion rubles ($232 billion) in damages incurred when Russia was barred from managing and disposing of its Euroclear funds and securities, the bank said. The case is being heard behind closed doors.

The EU has frozen 210 billion euros ($244 billion) worth of Russian assets as part of the sanctions imposed on Moscow after it sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. Euroclear holds around 193 billion euros of the seized funds.

Moscow's Arbitration Court picked up the case even though the EU last month set aside its initial plan to use frozen Russian assets to assist Ukraine after failing to convince Belgium that it would be protected from Russia's retaliation. The bloc opted instead for borrowing 90 billion euros on capital markers to provide an interest-free loan to Ukraine to meet its military and economic needs for the next two years.

Russia's Central Bank has condemned the use of frozen assets to aid Ukraine as “illegal, contrary to international law,” arguing that they violated “the principles of sovereign immunity of assets.”

Participants gather in Moscow's Arbitration Court to hold a hearing to consider a lawsuit by Russia's Central Bank against Belgium-based financial clearinghouse Euroclear in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)

Participants gather in Moscow's Arbitration Court to hold a hearing to consider a lawsuit by Russia's Central Bank against Belgium-based financial clearinghouse Euroclear in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)

Participants gather in Moscow's Arbitration Court to hold a hearing to consider a lawsuit by Russia's Central Bank against the Euroclear Group in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)

Participants gather in Moscow's Arbitration Court to hold a hearing to consider a lawsuit by Russia's Central Bank against Belgium-based financial clearinghouse Euroclear in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)