LeBron James, 41, says athletes shouldn't retire just because of age

LeBron James, 41, says athletes shouldn't retire just because of age Lebron James says older athletes shouldn't be expected to retire just because of their age. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Fanatics LeBron James, 41, said he doesn't see why athletes should retire if they're still performing at a high level.In a video released Monday from a live "The Shop" podcast panel at Fanatics Fest, the NBA star spoke about what keeps him playing after 23 seasons and why he's not ready to stop."One of the deciding factors, of many, is the younger generation and the kids that have been following my career," James said.Seeing young fans who still look to him as "their superhero," along with inspiring his own children, are among his biggest motivations for continuing to play basketball, he added."And then, me just loving what I do. I love the game," James said.The idea that athletes should be forced to retire just because of their age "needs to stop," he said."You see it with R&B artists and musicians, and things of that nature. You see it with us in sports. There are always conversations like, when is he going to retire? He needs to retire. He's this age. He's that age," James said. "But why? Why are we trying to force people that are still doing what they do at a high level?" James continued.He pointed to Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones as examples of performers who aren't expected to retire simply because of their age."The Stones, they've been on tour for 50, 60 years, and no one's telling them, 'Hey, don't come to our city and go do a tour,'" he added.James said the same logic should apply to athletes. Those who are still dedicated to their craft and continue contributing to the sport shouldn't be expected to retire."We're giving everything that we have to the sport, and we're still driving revenue as well. Why not still play it if you still love it?" James said. "I'm just trying to squeeze as much of the juice out of it as possible."James' comments come just weeks after he became an unrestricted free agent, ending his eight-year stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. If they're any indication, he isn't ready to slow down just yet, even as where he'll play next remains up in the air."We're not going to be rushed," Rich Paul, James' agent, said on Monday's episode of the "Game Over" podcast, which he cohosts with Max Kellerman. "It's his choice to make, and when he makes the choice, he'll make it."James isn't the only public figure to reject the idea that age alone should determine when someone retires.Roger Federer has previously spoken about the retirement speculation that followed him for years.In a press conference after the 2018 US Open, the tennis great said reporters had been asking him about retirement for "nine years," and "almost every interview" included questions about when he would call it quits."Sometimes you wonder why they ask you again because do they not hear what I said yesterday? Do they not listen to what I said two months ago?" Federer said. He ultimately retired in 2022 after struggling with persistent knee injuries.Halle Berry has also said she doesn't understand why people think 60 is the age to stop working."Why should I now sit down and give that all away — and then what?" Berry said during a podcast appearance in July. Read next Amanda is a senior lifestyle reporter at Business Insider's Singapore bureau.Her reporting explores how people navigate major life transitions, including career changes, relocation, and retirement, with a particular focus on the experiences of those living in Asia. She also writes about travel, culture, wellness, and relationships.In 2025, she won the Singapore Press Club's Rising Stars Young Digital Journalist Award.She previously worked as a writer and video producer at a content marketing agency in Singapore. She graduated from the University at Buffalo with a BA (Hons) in Sociology.Got a tip? Reach her at agoh@businessinsider.com.Selected stories:The caregiver giving dementia patients 'their last holiday' in ThailandThey inherited a 200-year-old family home in Japan. After 3 years of work, they turned it into an Airbnb side hustle.Starting over in paradise: What it's like to run a business, find a home, and build a life in Koh Samui, Thailand.The Malaysian city where retirees from around the world are starting overThe art of slowing down in Chiang MaiShe got in trouble as a teen in New York City, but in Bangkok, she became a beauty queenSingapore's 'ice cream uncles' are disappearing. Blame old age and bureaucracy.Singapore's traditional floating fish farms are disappearing. Meet the farmers battling costs and climate to keep the trade alive. NBA LeBron James Basketball More