LeBron James fires a warning shot to the NFL about Christmas Day games

On By Littum

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Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James had a message for the NFL after the team’s close win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.

James scored 31 points and dished out 10 assists as Austin Reaves’ go-ahead layup gave the Lakers a 115-113 victory. But as the NFL crept up on what was the NBA’s most exciting day of the regular season, James sent a warning shot to the league.

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LeBron James is smiling

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James during the game against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)

“I love the NFL. I love the NFL. But Christmas is our day,” he declared.

Last year, the NFL scheduled three games on Christmas Day when it fell on a Monday. This year, two games were planned for Christmas. In 2022, the regular season games fell on Christmas Day.

NFL officials said last year that the league would not schedule any games for Christmas if it fell outside a normally scheduled day.

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Steph Curry rides LeBron James

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry dribbles against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)

“We’ve seen the opportunity with Thanksgiving and some of the audiences that we’ve continued to build there,” NFL executive vice president of media distribution Hans Schroeder said. The Wall Street Journal then. “We think there is an opportunity when the calendar allows for Christmas now, when we know our fans will be together.”

It was only four months later when the league turned around.

“The fans spoke clearly,” Schroeder said The Wall Street Journal in March. “There is a huge demand.”

The report noted that the NFL would usually give the day away to the NBA and other programming and even moved the old NFL Championship out of Christmas if it fell on that day.

This year, NFL games were watched on Netflix. When the ratings come out, everyone will get to see if James is right.

Chiefs stars eat cake

Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce talk after the Steelers game Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

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The NFL aired the first round of the College Football Playoff last week in their rare head-to-head matchup.

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