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HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- LeBron James and his manager say they believe race played a factor in how the two-time reigning NBA MVP's decision to join the Miami Heat was covered this summer.
Neither James nor his manager, Maverick Carter, cited specifics when talking to CNN for a story that aired Wednesday night.
In the interview, CNN correspondent Soledad O'Brien asked about "The Decision," the one-hour special on ESPN in which James announced that he would play for the Heat, and some of the negative headlines it generated.
"It's just about control and not doing it the way it's always been done or not looking the way that it always looks," Carter said.
O'Brien asked if race played a role.
"I think so at times," James said. "It's always, you know, a race factor."
Said Carter: "It definitely played a role in some of the stuff coming out of the media, things that were written for sure."
James turned down a chance to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers and ultimately decided to join the Heat in the oft-criticized televised special that raised $3 million for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
James was expected to talk to the media Thursday and an e-mail to his representatives requesting comment was not immediately answered.
Neither James nor his manager, Maverick Carter, cited specifics when talking to CNN for a story that aired Wednesday night.
In the interview, CNN correspondent Soledad O'Brien asked about "The Decision," the one-hour special on ESPN in which James announced that he would play for the Heat, and some of the negative headlines it generated.
"It's just about control and not doing it the way it's always been done or not looking the way that it always looks," Carter said.
O'Brien asked if race played a role.
"I think so at times," James said. "It's always, you know, a race factor."
Said Carter: "It definitely played a role in some of the stuff coming out of the media, things that were written for sure."
James turned down a chance to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers and ultimately decided to join the Heat in the oft-criticized televised special that raised $3 million for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
James was expected to talk to the media Thursday and an e-mail to his representatives requesting comment was not immediately answered.
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