Like most of you I am so sick of hearing about LeBron James and the scenarios that I actually miss Ed Werder up Brett Favre’s jock.  Since the final second ticked off the clock on the Cleveland Cavaliers’ season as they bowed out ungracefully to Boston in the playoffs ESPN has been wall-to-wall coverage throughout its network.

On Thursday night the network will air a one-hour special at in primetime during which James will make his final decision on where he’ll suit up in 2010 and beyond known to the public.

Really? Is this what sports journalism has become?

The answer is simply yes. In a world where tweets and status updates are more consumed by readers than print newspapers athletes, especially the elite ones, are in control of the story. 

Sources told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard that representatives for James contacted the network, proposing the idea of a dedicated special. The sources said James' representatives requested they be allowed to sell sponsorship for the broadcast, and ESPN agreed.

"Due to the unprecedented attention and interest surrounding LeBron's decision, we have decided to make this announcement on national television," James' business manager, Maverick Carter, said on LebronJames.com. "By doing so we have generated funds that will be given to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. LeBron has a longstanding commitment to giving back to the community, and has worked with the Boys and Girls Clubs in cities across the country."

It is believed that James is down to four teams including the Cavaliers, Bulls, Knicks and the Heat. Miami appears to be the favorite, but at this point it's anybody's guess. ESPN doesn't even know.

The idea of making money for charity is good, but it still amazes me that an athlete can make a TV special out of free agency.  The thing is as sickened as I am by all of this, I must admit that I will be watching along with millions of more.

NBA cleveland cavaliers, espn, lebron james, miami heat, chicago bulls