A viral message about LeBron James on X (formerly Twitter) recently made waves across social media in the United States. The buzz had little to do with his athletic prowess but instead revolved around a humorous play on words. LeBron James, one of the most followed and scrutinised athletes, frequently finds himself at the centre of public attention, whether from his loyal fans or those eager to criticise him.

The viral message in question claimed, “LeBron James has been found to be sleeping with his new teammate’s mother.” In a country where sports stars are treated like celebrities and their off-court activities are closely monitored, such a statement inevitably raised eyebrows. The reference became even more noteworthy given the setting: Los Angeles, home of Hollywood and the ever-watchful paparazzi.

However, the punchline became apparent when one considered the details of LeBron’s new “teammate.” His son, Bronny James, had recently been signed by the Lakers, selected with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Indeed, 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 message into perspective, adding a light-hearted tone to what initially seemed like a scandalous rumour.

LeBron and Savannah, who have been together since their high school days, tied the knot on September 14, 2013. The couple has three children: Bronny, Bryce, and Zhuri. While Savannah may have envisioned a happy future with LeBron, she likely never imagined that one day her husband and eldest son would be playing together in the NBA. When that historic moment arrives, Savannah is sure to be one of the proudest women in the arena.

After the viral message gained traction online, Savannah reacted with two emojis: one covering its mouth and another laughing. Her lighthearted response reflected her amusement at the playful comment, acknowledging the humour in the situation.

Savannah has offered insights into her personal life with LeBron through her podcast, Everybody’s Crazy. In one episode, she revealed a surprising dislike for the term “wife.” Before they were married, she expressed her frustration with LeBron for introducing her as his wife, insisting she deserved that title only once they were officially married.

“I hate, I detest, the term ‘wife’ with all my soul,” Savannah explained. “I had to tell LeBron, ‘Please don’t introduce me like that. I ain’t your wife yet.’” She felt strongly about preserving the significance of that title until they were married.

Savannah’s influence on LeBron extends far beyond their personal relationship. She plays a vital role in his professional life, particularly when it comes to major decisions. For instance, LeBron’s involvement in leading Team USA for the upcoming Paris Olympics was significantly influenced by Savannah’s input. According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, LeBron only fully committed to playing once Savannah gave him her blessing to forgo their summer vacation.

In the end, this lighthearted story serves as a reminder of the James family’s strong bond and how they navigate the spotlight together.