Image via Wikipedia(CNN) -- NBA superstar LeBron James announced Thursday night that he will take his high-priced services to the Miami Heat.
James, who has played forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers all his career, announced his decision during a much-ballyhooed ESPN special entitled "The Decision."
The superstar free agent said a conversation with his mother Thursday morning sealed the deal.
I think I decided this morning," James said. "Then I talked with my mom. Once I had that conversation with her I think I was set."
James will be playing with shooting guard Dwyane Wade and power forward Chris Bosh in Miami. "We're going to be a really good team."
'LeBronathon' was a strictly U.S.obsession
Late Thursday, Wade showed his excitement about the news. "I look forward to playing alongside LeBron, Chris Bosh and our teammates, and together representing the great city of Miami. There's magic in the number 3," he said.
James looked at several teams, including New York, Chicago and his own Cleveland.
It came down to one thing.
"The major factor was the best opportunity to win now and to win in the future."
ESPN switched briefly to sports bars in Miami and Cleveland to summarize the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
A few Cavs fans wasted no time in burning James jerseys in a small fire.
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert called James' decision a "cowardly betrayal" and a "shocking act of disloyalty" in a letter posted on the team's website Thursday night. He then added, in all capital letters:
"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE. You can take it to the bank."
Miami fans were elated.
"I think this is the best thing since sliced bread, are you serious," said Christina Onori. "I think this is the most unbelievable thing to happen to Miami, ever."
Besides the Heat, the Boys and Girls Club of America and Twitter were beneficiaries of James' decision.
The club expected to receive about $2.5 million in support from the show and related activities.
"The money will be used to support James' vision to construct basketball courts for youth across the country," the Atlanta-based organization said.
James had more than 345,000 followers, and counting, on his "KingJames" Twitter account Thursday evening.
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