Overview
Lebron Opts Out refers to professional basketball player LeBron James’ announcement in June 2014 that he would be opting out of the final year of his contract with the Miami Heat in order to become a free agent. Following the revelation, many Internet users reacted by posting image macros joking about the news.
Background
On June 24th, 2014, ESPN sportswriter Chris Broussard[1] tweeted that James’ agent had informed the Miami Heat that LeBron would be opting out of his contract. Within 72 hours, the tweet gained over 6,000 retweets and 1,400 favorites.
Notable Developments
Online Reaction
Immediately after Broussard’s tweet, Twitter users began posting image macro reactions to the news, many of which joked how Heat fans would shift their loyalties to LeBron’s new team (shown below).
On Reddit, several posts about James’ exercising his termination option reached the front page,[2][3][4] including an image macro mocking fans of LeBron who aren’t sure what team they will back next (shown below).
News Media Coverage
In the coming days, several news sites published articles about the social media response to termination news, including the Miami Herald,[5] Sportige,[6] Complex,[7] Ball is Life,[8] Gossip on This[9] and Fox Sports.[10]
Notable Examples
Search Interest
External References
[1]Twitter – @Chris_Broussard
[2]Reddit – Lebron Fans
[3]Reddit – ESPN since LeBron opted out
[4]Reddit – LeBron Opting Out
[5]Miami Herald – Social media lights up
[6]Sportige – 31 Best memes of Lebron
[7]Complex – LeBron James Inspired the Internet to Create a Bunch of Opt Out Memes
[8]BallisLife – Best of Lebron Opt Out Memes
[9]Gossip On This – Twitter Reacts to Lebron James Opting to Become Free Agent
[10]Fox Sports – Lebron James Opts Out Memes