Wondery Presents: New Heights

Summary

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard: Episode Summary – "Wondery Presents: New Heights"

Release Date: January 30, 2025
Host: Armchair Umbrella
Featured Guests: Jason Kelce, Travis Kelce, LeBron James

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Introduction

In the latest episode of Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, hosts Jason and Travis Kelce delve into the illustrious career of NBA superstar LeBron James. Titled "Wondery Presents: New Heights," the episode offers listeners an intimate look into LeBron's early life, pivotal moments, and the decisions that shaped his path to greatness. The conversation is enriched with personal anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stories, and profound insights into the world of professional sports.

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Meeting with Michael Jordan: An Unforgettable Pickup Game

The episode opens with Jason and Travis Kelce setting the stage for an exclusive discussion with LeBron James. One of the standout moments is LeBron's recounting of an infamous pickup game he participated in during his high school years.

• LeBron James (02:00):
  "I was on the court with Michael Jordan, Antoine Walker, Penny Hardaway... I was unguardable."

LeBron shares the challenge of joining seasoned NBA players like Michael Jordan at just 16 years old. Despite the intimidating presence of NBA legends, his determination and skill allowed him to hold his ground, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.

• Travis Kelce (03:12):
  "That's awesome, man."

This anecdote not only highlights LeBron's early prowess but also underscores the respect he garnered from established athletes at a young age.

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Sneaker Culture and Brand Loyalty

Transitioning from basketball to personal style, the conversation shifts to LeBron's sneaker preferences during his formative years.

• Travis Kelce (03:14):
  "Was it always Nike, Trav?"

LeBron elaborates on his evolving relationship with major sneaker brands:

• LeBron James (03:33):
  "When I was a young kid... it was Nike. Once I got into the AAU program, Adidas took us over... then Reebok came in."

He details how his involvement in competitive basketball exposed him to various brands, leading to affiliations with Adidas and Reebok before his eventual partnership with Nike. This journey reflects the broader dynamics of athlete endorsements and brand negotiations.

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The Crucial Sponsorship Decision: Reebok's $10 Million Offer

A pivotal segment of the episode focuses on a life-altering decision LeBron faced regarding sponsorship deals during his senior year of high school.

• LeBron James (05:53):
  "They flew me in... and he says, if you don't go talk to any other companies, this is yours. And I look at it... 10 million fucking dollars."

LeBron recounts being offered a $10 million deal by Reebok, under the condition that he forgoes pitches from other companies. This moment of financial temptation was a crossroads in his career.

• Travis Kelce (05:58):
  "As an 18-year-old, I was still stealing change out of my dad's piggy bank to go get some candy."

Faced with this offer, LeBron sought guidance from his mother, whose wisdom was instrumental in his decision-making process.

• LeBron James (06:33):
  "My mom looked at me, she said, 'Son, trust your gut.'"

Her pragmatic approach emphasized the importance of considering long-term potential over immediate financial gain. Ultimately, LeBron chose to explore other sponsorship opportunities, believing that maintaining his options would serve him better in the future.

• LeBron James (07:10):
  "I could have bought the building that me and my mom was living in with that goddamn easily."

This decision, though emotionally challenging, underscored LeBron's commitment to his career and personal integrity.

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Emotional Reflections and Personal Growth

The episode doesn't shy away from the emotional weight of such decisions. LeBron reflects on the internal conflict he experienced when turning down the lucrative offer.

• LeBron James (06:53):
  "I may have cried on the way home because I had to leave the job."

This vulnerability adds depth to the conversation, showcasing the human side of professional athletes and the personal sacrifices they make for their careers.

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Conclusion

"Wondery Presents: New Heights" offers a comprehensive and heartfelt exploration of LeBron James' journey from a talented high school athlete to an NBA legend. Through candid conversations with the Kelce brothers, listeners gain valuable insights into the challenges, decisions, and triumphs that define LeBron's life both on and off the court. The episode serves as an inspiring testament to resilience, strategic thinking, and the profound impact of supportive relationships.

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Notable Quotes:

• LeBron James (02:00): "I was unguardable."
• LeBron James (05:53): "10 million fucking dollars."
• LeBron James (06:33): "Son, trust your gut."
• LeBron James (07:10): "I could have bought the building that me and my mom was living in with that goddamn easily."

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Transcript

[Podcast Host]

Calling all 92 percenters, Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce are football's funniest family duo and every week they provide next level access to life in the league as it unfolds. In New Heights. The two brothers and super bowl champions drop weekly insights about their games and share unique perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. Plus entertaining stories from a combined 21 years in the league. Off field interests and engaging conversations with incredible guests like LeBron James, Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler and Caitlin Clark, just to name a few. Here's a clip of New Heights. Follow New Heights on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new and exclusive episodes early and ad free on Wondery. Join Wondery in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

[Jason Kelce]

Joining us today, the six nine born from Akron, Ohio, the number one pick of 2003 NBA Draft, 2004 Rookie of the Year, NBA All Star, four time MVP, four time NBA Champion, three time gold medalist and the NBA all time leader in career points. That's right, 92 percenters. Please welcome Northeast Ohio's finest, Mr. LeBron J.

[Travis Kelce]

Let's go.

[LeBron James]

Oh, my God. Yo, yo, Jason. That might. Yo, Jason. That might be the greatest introduction of all time. Followed at the end with the powder. Oh, my goodness. You guys are unbelievable.

[Travis Kelce]

This dude is just wearing the powder. Right? Right. Who's gonna clean that up now?

[Jason Kelce]

Kylie is not going to be happy about this. We got a list of questions. Again, you do not have to answer. But we do have to answer. Ask him. There's a story about you playing in an infamous pickup game with Michael Jordan when you were 16 years old. What was it like? Is that true? Like, you tell us how you played. Yeah.

[LeBron James]

So when I finally was able to get on the court, first of all, mj, Antoine Walker and the rest of those guys did not let young guys get on the court at all. And I was 16 years old. I was sophomore in high school. And it takes a while to get on the court. It's usually when the older guys, they get tired and they don't want to play no more. They like, whatever. But I did and I was able to get on the court alongside. I was on the court with Michael Jordan, Antoine Walker, Penny Hardaway.

[Travis Kelce]

Legend, Legend.

[LeBron James]

Michael Finley, all these guys who guarded you? Nobody. I was, I was unguardable. Listen, I was 16. There's a. You, there's, you know, 16.

[Travis Kelce]

The baby bro.

[LeBron James]

Yep, that was the baby fro. I was in Chicago at MJ's court. It was called Hoops. There's a clip right now of actually Metta World Peace, talking about that moment as well. Like, man, I gotta check it out. When I finally got out there, I was like, I'm busting ass, man. I was nervous as hell, like, being out there with MJ and the rest of those guys. But I'm like, are you kidding me? I was like, oh, I, I, I'm, I'm, I'm about to go crazy. And I, and I did. I did, man.

[Travis Kelce]

That's awesome, man.

[LeBron James]

I did.

[Jason Kelce]

That's awesome, man.

[Travis Kelce]

I wish I was in that gym that day. That's crazy stuff, man. Well, you see all these shoes behind me, man? You already know I'm a sneaker head. I collected them over the years, man. Um, was it always Nike? I. You used to wear the T Max at St. Vincent St. Mary.

[LeBron James]

I see.

[Travis Kelce]

I think I've seen you wear the, the old Iversons. Was it always Nike, Trav?

[LeBron James]

No, it was not. It was not always Nike. It was Nike. When I was a young kid, when I was a young lad, obviously, you know, you, you know, I've been in love with Michael Jordan my whole life.

[Travis Kelce]

So come on now.

[LeBron James]

You know, I saw him, Penny Hardaway, you know, Ken Griffey Jr. Bo Jackson. I watched all these unbelievable sports figures. So as a kid growing up, it was Nike. Once I got into the AAU program, started playing basketball, Adidas took us over, you know, and it became Adidas. It was Adidas, like, from seventh, eighth grade to pretty much my junior senior year. They sponsored us every year. We played in all the Adidas tournaments. Big time tournament in Vegas and all over the United States of America. So it was, it was Adidas. And then my senior year, the process began. The recruitments, the, the Nikes came in. The Adidas was still there. Reebok came in.

[Travis Kelce]

Yeah.

[LeBron James]

And one, you know, all these companies came in, and I took on three pitches. I did Adidas pitch, I did a Reebok pitch. I did a Nike pitch. The best pitch that I got, where I thought I was going to end up was actually Reebok at one point.

[Travis Kelce]

Reebok.

[LeBron James]

I went to their meeting. I went to their meeting and I sat down across from their CEO and the guys that was running basketball at the time. I don't know if you guys remember this, but Reebok had the NFL as well.

[Travis Kelce]

Yes, that's what it was when I.

[Jason Kelce]

First got into the league.

[LeBron James]

Yeah, they had the NFL as well. So they, you know, they knew, they knew my love for Football as well. So they had all the NFL jerseys, all the Pro bowl looking jerseys. That was going to be the next year. And I'm sitting across from the table. I'm a senior in high school. I actually have to have. I actually. I'm going back to class the next day. They flew me in. I'm going back to St. Vincent St. Mary the next day, my senior year. And the guy slides over a check to me at the end of the table. It's me and my mom and Maverick Carter at the end of the table. And he says, if. If you don't go talk to any other companies, this is yours. And I look at it, I look at it. 10 million fucking dollars.

[Jason Kelce]

Oh.

[LeBron James]

10 million right there.

[Travis Kelce]

As an 18 year old, I was still stealing change out of my dad's fucking piggy bank to go get some candy.

[LeBron James]

I was a high school senior, man. They gave me a check for $10 million if I promise not to go see anybody else. I told him, I need a break. They stepped out. I need to believe that, right?

[Jason Kelce]

I need a timeout.

[LeBron James]

My mom looked at it. My mom were living in an apartment and, you know, Section 8 housing in Akron. I'm going back. I don't have shit. Whatever. And my mom looked at me, she said, son, trust your gut. If they're offering you this, then who knows what the other companies may offer you?

[Jason Kelce]

Okay, Mom.

[Travis Kelce]

Yeah, Ma, she's composed.

[LeBron James]

Yeah, she's super composed. She's like, we ain't got shit already. So it's not like, you know, it changes our life at this moment. Yes, maybe in the future. But I want you to trust your gut and do what you think is right.

[Travis Kelce]

That's awesome advice, man.

[LeBron James]

So they came back in. Boom. I said, thank you. I would, you know, I would definitely like to continue our conversation, but I would be remiss if I did not take those other pitches from the other companies. I may have cried on the way home because I had to leave the job.

[Jason Kelce]

You're questioning, man, I hope I just made the right decision.

[LeBron James]

I was like, I could have bought the building that me and my mom was living in with that goddamn easily. You already know.

[Podcast Host]

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