A Los Angeles Lakers fan has filed a lawsuit against LeBron James after the King's publicity stunt for a cognac brand, TMZ reports. He is seeking damages.

A marketing ploy that's really not going down well. Since Tuesday, LeBron James has drawn the ire of much of the basketball world for his publicity stunt to promote a brand of Cognac.

While he had promised "the decision of all decisions", letting everyone know that he was going to reveal big information about his future by repeating the codes of the famous announcement of his departure to the Miami Heat in the summer of 2010, the superstar of the Los Angeles Lakers has in fact revealed... his partnership with Hennessy .

Problem: The prospect of the "King" retiring at the end of the season has caused a rush on tickets for his final games.

Prices have skyrocketed, and the cheapest ticket for his final game, on April 12 against Utah, was selling for nearly €380 after the four-time NBA champion's post... whereas it previously cost €72. And it's precisely because of this price surge that LeBron James is now facing legal action, according to TMZ .

"Fraud, deception and misrepresentation"

According to the American media, Andrew Garcia, a 29-year-old Lakers fan, filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Small Claims Court for "fraud, deception, and misrepresentation." The fan had not opted for the Lakers' regular-season finale against the Jazz, but rather for what could have been LeBron James's final game against his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, on March 31, 2026. He purchased two tickets for $432.83 each ($865.66 in total, or approximately €745).

In the absence of a retirement announcement, these tickets have significantly lost their value. Andrew Garcia is therefore simply demanding that LeBron James refund the $865.66. "I wouldn't have bought them if he hadn't planned on retiring. It's as simple as that," the fan complained to TMZ.

On the same subject

1. LeBron James Made Fun of Everyone: The King's "Decision" Was Actually Just a Publicity Ploy
2. The joke that went wrong: LeBron James fans furious after the King's big PR stunt
3. "It's pathetic": Stephen Brun blasts LeBron James after his big PR stunt

Since Tuesday, this big troll has earned LeBron James an endless stream of criticism. "It's pathetic. He's sent the basketball world into a frenzy over an ad that's going to make him even more money," fumed our consultant Stephen Brun on RMC's Super Moscato Show . "When you have an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion, do you really need to offend your audience again for one more ticket? People have bled themselves dry to buy tickets. He's an exceptional player, he's in the top 3 in history, but his PR is zero." And it could cost him a little money, if the efforts of some fans who felt cheated succeed.