Why is LeBron James quitting social media?

LeBron James announced on Wednesday via his X (Twitter) account that he intends to leave social media. The Lakers player explained that he prefers to focus on his final years of basketball rather than distractions such as interacting with fans.

James replied to a message from businessman Rich Kleiman, the right-hand man in business and manager of fellow superstar Kevin Durant: “With so much hate and negativity in the world today, it confuses me why some of the national media still believe the best way to cover sports is through negative takes.

We can all acknowledge that sports is the last part of society that brings people together. So why can’t the coverage do the same?

It’s only click bait when you say it. I for one find it all a waste of breath. The Olympocs and JJ and Bron’s show was the future of what this can and should all be”.

LeBron James is in his 22nd season in the best league in the world, having spent two separate spells with the Heat and Cavaliers before joining the Lakers. He has won four championship rings and is the all-time leading scorer in the NBA.

LeBron added in another message: “And with that I send my regards to you all. Take care of yourselves” which appears to be his final post on the platform.

James joined Twitter in March 2009 and his feed has attracted almost 53 million followers. He also has an Instagram account (kingjames) on which he has published 2,665 posts to his 159,721,095 followers.

James alluded to his unhappiness with social media and it toxicity after the Lakers' 118-124 win over Utah on Tuesday in which ex-Tennessee Volunteers forward Dalton Knecht hit 37 points with nine three-pointers.

When asked about the rookie, James said: “Everybody on the internet calls me a liar all the time. They say I lie about everything. So what am I now? I’ve been said it. I watched him. I watched Tennessee a lot.”