ESPN: LeBron to announce plans at top of show

An ESPN executive says LeBron James will announce his future NBA plans within the first 10 minutes of Thursday night's hourlong broadcast.

Norby Williamson, the cable network's vice president of production, says sportscaster Jim Gray, will handle the introduction, announcement and questions. Williamson says Gray was hand-picked by James' team, who approached the network last week about the special.

ESPN says Gray and James will be in one location. A person familiar with the plans, however, tells The Associated Press the interview will take place at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, Conn.

The broadcast also will include a long-form interview with ESPN personality Mike Wilbon and others via satellite from ESPN's studios in Bristol, Conn.