LeBron James, 41, says athletes shouldn't retire just because of age
NBA star LeBron James argues that professional athletes should not be pressured to retire based solely on their age if they remain high-performing. He cited musicians like Bruce Springsteen as examples of professionals who continue to work successfully into their later years.
Why it matters
The comments challenge traditional career longevity norms in professional sports and reflect a broader cultural conversation about aging in high-pressure industries.
Lebron James says older athletes shouldn't be expected to retire just because of their age. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Fanatics LeBron James, 41, says he doesn't think athletes should be forced to retire simply because of their age. After all, Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones are still touring well into their later years, he said. "I'm just trying to squeeze as much of the juice out of it as possible," James said. LeBron James , 41, said he doesn't see why athletes should retire if they're still performing at a high level. In a video released Monday from a live "The Shop" podcast panel at Fanatics Fest, the NBA star spoke about what keeps him playing after 23 seasons and why he's not ready to stop. "One of the deciding factors, of many, is the younger generation and the kids that have been following my career," James said.
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