FIRST Take’s graphics department was criticized by viewers for a hilarious on-air error.
Eagle-eyed ESPN viewers were quick to spot the error within minutes of Thursday’s broadcast.
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The show kicked off a busy sports schedule by discussing LeBron James’ new contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Analyst Courtney Cronin was asked if she believed next season would be “LeBron’s last” in the NBA.
As Cronin made his play, a series of statistics appeared on the screen alongside a highlight reel of LeBron’s plays.
One of the graphics declared that James had played in the NBA for “39 seasons.”
“@FirstTake don’t you have people for that? The guy isn’t that old,” laughed a spectator on X.
“Dude y’all trying to say @KingJames is OLD @FirstTake He’s 39, hasn’t played in 39 years,” said another.
“Is @FirstTake already preparing its charts for 2041?” joked a third.
“39 seasons? That’s pretty impressive @KingJames,” a fourth added.
James recently signed a new two-year contract with the Lakers worth $104 million.
At 39 years old, he is currently the oldest active player in the league.
He will be drafted next season alongside his 19-year-old son Bronny, who was selected by LA at No. 55 in last week’s draft.
Meanwhile, the First Take dashboard underwent a radical transformation this week.
Lead analyst Stephen A. Smith and host Molly Qerim are both on summer vacation.
Cronin replaced Smith on Thursday’s show, with ESPN Radio’s Chris Carlin also on the panel.
Smith is known for his epic on-air rants, but recently admitted he was burnt out because of a hectic broadcast schedule.
Time for LeBron to retire?
“At the end of the day, I hate to say it, but I believe it in my soul right now: I wish LeBron James would retire.
“Not because I don’t want to see more LeBron James, not because I don’t appreciate LeBron James.
“But I honestly believe that deep down, the longer LeBron James continues to play basketball, the more it will hurt his legacy and the more it will continue to hurt his GOAT argument.
“As long as he steps on that floor, every season, there will be expectations that he will win a championship.
“And when he doesn’t, we’ll be looking at him and saying, ‘Well, what happened now?’”
ESPN star Kendrick Perkins speaking on First Take about LeBron James’ future in the NBA
The 56-year-old is also eyeing a new contract with ESPN.
His current contract runs until the end of 2025.
But Stephen A. is confident he can become the network’s highest earner, for Puck.news.
Smith is seeking about $25 million annually, per Fox Sports.
Smith’s First Take co-star Shannon Sharpe recently wrote her own multi-year extension with the network.
Sharpe joined the show last September after leaving Fox Sports’ Undisputed.
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