LeBron James’s confidence had powered the Cleveland Cavaliers to a two-games-to-one lead in the NBA finals.
His cockiness during Thursday night’s Game 4 could cost ABC a bundle.
Moments before Thursday’s tip-off, James inadvertently exposed himself to a national television audience while adjusting his black compression shorts, prompting an uproar on social media.
The first three games of this year’s NBA finals have averaged roughly 18.5m viewers.
In 2004, Justin Timberlake momentarily exposed Janet Jackson’s breast during the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime performance on CBS, prompting a record $550,000 fine from the FCC that was later voided by the Supreme Court.
The drama on Thursday didn’t end there. James cut his head while tumbling into a courtside television camera following a foul by Golden State’s Andrew Bogut midway through the second quarter. He returned to the game immediately after getting the cuts tended to, prompting questions about the NBA’s concussion protocol.
The Warriors won 103-82 over the Cavaliers to even the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. Game 5 is Sunday in Oakland.
