Dan Patrick mocks ESPN, LeBron James over return announcement: ‘Who thought that he might retire?’

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

LeBron James announced his return for a 21st NBA season on Wednesday, surprising no one in the sports world. 

James made his announcement while at the ESPYs after accepting the award for the Best Record-Breaking Performance of the last year. 

Professional NBA basketball player, LeBron James, of the Los Angeles Lakers, from left, accepts the award for best record-breaking performance from Bronny James, Bryce James, Savannah James, and Zhuri James at the ESPY awards on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark Terrill)

While his announcement made headlines, one sports radio host took issue with it being treated like breaking news. 

LEBRON JAMES ANNOUNCES RETURN FOR 21ST NBA SEASON AFTER CONTEMPLATING RETIREMENT

Dan Patrick, host of "The Dan Patrick Show," questioned how James and ESPN approached the news. 

"I wasn’t waiting for an announcement. I got one, and then ESPN's treating it like it’s breaking news," Patrick said Thursday. "And I went, ‘You know what’s breaking news? If he retired. Not that he’s coming back.’ Who thought that he might retire?" 

"Nobody," Patrick and the rest of the show said in unison. 

"It just is needy," Patrick continued. "And you don’t need it. ‘I want publicity. Don’t forget about me. I don't want to cheat the game.' Play. Just play." 

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, #6, dunks against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals series, Thursday, May 18, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

James and the Los Angeles Lakers were swept by the Denver Nuggets, the eventual NBA champions, in the Western