Twitter CEO Elon Musk finally dropped the hammer and removed all verified checkmarks from accounts not registering for Twitter Blue.
Although many notable athletes lost their blue checkmarks, there was one player in particular whose still-verified account stood out following the purge on Thursday: Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James.
Last month, LeBron tweeted “If you know me, I ain’t paying the 5 [dollars].”
Several other pro athletes, including Super Bowl MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes, also said they would rather lose their checkmarks than subscribe to Twitter Blue.
Did Bron change his mind? 😂
(h/t @OldTakesExposed) pic.twitter.com/RNBEsvXp87
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 20, 2023
But it didn’t take long to notice LeBron still has a verified account.
Did he think people wouldn’t notice? Or is it something even more petty than that?
It is entirely possible Twitter comped LeBron and Stephen King for the premium service after both said they would not subscribe to make it look like they changed their mind.
LeBron and Stephen King still having checks makes me think they didn't pay and that Elon specifically preserved theirs because they publicly embarrassed him.
— Barry Petchesky (@barry) April 20, 2023
That theory is even more likely when recalling that the leaked Twitter algorithm gives a boost to LeBron’s account.
But whether he personally pays for it or not, using some light detective work from a Google Chrome plugin called Eight Dollars, we can confirm LeBron
account is at least subscribed to Twitter Blue:
LeBron isn’t the only NBA player to still have a blue check.
Others include just Carmelo Anthony, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kristaps Porzingis, Klay Thompson, Brandon Clarke, Marc Gasol, Frank Kaminsky, RJ Hampton and Enes Freedom.
UPDATE: Per The Verge‘s Alex Heath, while Musk said he’s “paying for a few” Twitter Blue subscriptions:
NEW: Have confirmed that LeBron, who has 52 million followers and has said he won’t pay for verification, was emailed by a Twitter employee with the offer to have his sub comped “on behalf of Elon Musk.”
James did not accept but his account is showing that he paid anyway.
— Alex Heath (@alexeheath) April 20, 2023
I’m paying for a few personally
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 20, 2023
Prior to the update, LeBron was roasted for potentially not sticking to his word.
https://t.co/Yfgpe02MCT pic.twitter.com/WBZdjJOnDH
— Andrew Joseph (@AndyJ0seph) April 20, 2023
Next on First Take: Does LeBron paying for a Twitter blue check spell doom for the #Lakers’ championship hopes? https://t.co/no3oPlPiIs
— Shlomo Sprung (@SprungOnSports) April 20, 2023
LeBron needs to get his priorities in check, you can't pay for Twitter Blue and not for Spotify, you just can't
— Brady Klopfer (@BradyKlopferNBA) April 20, 2023
“Will you LeBron James pay for Twitter blue?” https://t.co/LC6x0W7JSj pic.twitter.com/uzKlL6iDET
— Nihilist Bucks (@nihilist_bucks) April 20, 2023
No one even asked Lebron about the blue check. he just went ahead and blatantly lied that he wouldn't pay for it when he actually did
— Le5-6 (@deepyy_) April 20, 2023
LeBron paying $8 for Twitter Blue🤣 pic.twitter.com/lZabtB0PVu
— Frank J. Dyevoich, Esq. (@Fantasy_Giant) April 20, 2023
LeBron James apparently feels the need to pay for a blue checkmark. pic.twitter.com/Avrev8yFGw
— Jason Ounpraseuth (@JasonOun95) April 20, 2023
“I won’t pay for my checkmark” right up there with “I called Kobe having 80” on the funniest LeBron lies list
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) April 20, 2023
Lebron James got caught lying again & he bought the twitter verified badge 😭 pic.twitter.com/qkexjm1T4u
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) April 20, 2023
lebron james always lying for no reason😭 pic.twitter.com/DzVyuEHABy
— kira 👾 (@kirawontmiss) April 20, 2023
I wonder if LeBron actually paid for his blue check or if Twitter just left it because he's LeBron
— Steve Jail (@Biyombonesaw) April 20, 2023
LeBron still has his blue check after saying he wouldn't pay for it and I'm like 99% sure Elon manually did this because that's some petty nonsense Elon would do
— Bayek of Sowa (@SowaTheArrogant) April 20, 2023
