• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 2, 2025

LeBron Chides Media for Lack of Attention on Controversial Jerry Jones Photo

  • The Lakers star said he faced many questions on Kyrie Irving backlash.
  • The comments come off of Washington Post report on Little Rock Nine event.
LeBron James throws football while wearing Dallas Cowboys hat
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

When Kyrie Irving promoted antisemitic content and refused to denounce antisemitism, he faced media backlash and lost many of his endorsements.

Now, LeBron James is wondering why Jerry Jones isn’t facing similar scrutiny for a questionable moment in his past.

After the Lakers’ 128-109 win over the Trail Blazers on Wednesday, James concluded his postgame press conference by asking media members why they weren’t asking him about a photo that recently surfaced of Jones being an onlooker at the infamous Little Rock Nine event in Little Rock, Arkansas.

A recent Washington Post story questioned Jones’ contributions to advancing Black people in the NFL, while displaying the photo prominently in the piece.

Artwork portrait of late Los Angeles rapper Nipsey Hussle

LeBron James’ SpringHill Company to Produce Nipsey Hussle Docuseries

It will feature new archival footage, and interviews from over 50 collaborators.
November 16, 2022

Jones defended his presence at the event, saying he was simply curious and did not participate in any discrimination against the Black students at Little Rock Central High.

“I didn’t know at the time the monumental event really that was going on,” Jones added. “I’m sure glad that we’re a long way from that. I am. That would remind me [to] just continue to do everything we can to not have those kinds of things happen.”

All the same, James was quick to point out the hypocrisy to the media.

“When I watch Kyrie talk and he says, ‘I know who I am, but I want to keep the same energy when we’re talking about my people and the things that we’ve been through,’ and that Jerry Jones photo is one of those moments that our people, Black people, have been through in America,” he said. “When [Black people] do something wrong, or something that people don’t agree with, it’s on every single tabloid, every single news coverage, it’s on the bottom ticker. It’s asked about every single day.

“But it seems like to me that the whole Jerry Jones situation, photo — and I know it was years and years ago and we all make mistakes, I get it — but it seems like it’s just been buried under, like, ‘Oh, it happened. OK, we just move on.’ And I was just kind of disappointed that I haven’t received that question from you guys.”

Dallas-Cowboys

NFL Team Values Increase 28% As Cowboys Hit $8B

Forbes unveiled its list of the most valuable NFL teams in 2022.
August 22, 2022

Although the Irving and Jones situations are different, which may give the latter some respite, the Post pointed out that the Cowboys owner has never hired a Black head coach.

James used to be a Cowboys fan — but has since renounced his fandom following the team’s handling of the Colin Kaepernick situation.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Nov 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates a shot in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Malik Beasley’s Messy Offseason Includes $2.25M Suit From Ex-Agency

The former Pistons player is not having a good summer.
exclusive

ESPN, Fox Reluctant to Share Talent With Netflix for Christmas NFL Games

ESPN talents who worked last year’s games include Laura Rutledge and Mina Kimes.
Myles Turner

Pacers Sour on Paying Luxury Tax and Let Myles Turner Walk

The team had seemed willing to cross the threshold for their center.

NBA Salary Cap Up 7% in 2026–27, but Teams Expected More

The 2026–27 salary cap is projected at $165 million.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Leo Messi

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
June 23, 2025

NBA Finals Game 7 Is Most-Watched Since 2019, but Series Drops 9%

Game 7 drew 16.35 million viewers, the most-watched NBA game since 2019.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 19, 2025

Pacers Force Game 7, Could Spark Big Ratings Boost for NBA Finals

Game 7 could boost NBA Finals ratings after a slow start this year.
June 17, 2025

Stanley Cup Final Delivers Drama but Struggles for Eyeballs in U.S.

U.S. viewership fell while Canadian audiences for the event rose slightly.
June 17, 2025

Streaming Tops Linear for First Time, Sports Still Key to TV’s Resilience

Streaming hits another critical milestone in an accelerating media transition.
June 17, 2025

Zaslav Takes Pay Cut, TNT Sports Future Unclear in WBD Shake-Up

The TNT Sports parent company retools its executive pay after shareholder pushback.