A number of writers and radio personalities joked about the idea of LeBron James having his own ESPN special for his free agency announcement, but it’s for real. James will let the free world know which NBA team he will be playing for on ESPN at 9 PM ET. It will mark the dramatic end to the 2010 free agent sage that has been talked about for over two years. Some of pointed to James choosing a national stage to broadcast his announcement as a sign that the 2010 NBA MVP will stay with the Cavs. LeBron wouldn’t break his hometown’s heart in front of millions of people. Whether your a fan of one of the teams James met with in the past week (Cavs, Bulls, Knicks, Heat, Nets) or not, it’s nearly impossible to not be swept up in the story. Reports out of Miami indicated today that Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will be teammates next season on the Heat, and a three-way conference call was supposedly planned for today involving Wade, Bosh, and James. Will James announce his commitment to Cleveland or is he planning his way out of Ohio? Whatever “The King” decides, ESPN must be salivating over the potential ratings.

The race to find 2010 Wimbledon tickets is heating up now that the French Open is in the rearview mirror. Rafael Nadal reclaimed his title of “Best on Clay” at Roland Garros, but still needs to prove he’s the world’s best when playing on grass. Swedish star Robin Soderling has thrusted himself into the very top of men’s tennis by defeated Roger Federer in the quarterfinals. Francesa Schiavone of Italy won his first Grand Slam title in Paris over first time finalist Aussie Samantha Stosur. The 2009 Wimbledon Championships at All England Lawn and Tennis Club was highlighted by emphatic wins by Roger Federer over Andy Roddick on the Men’s side and Serena Williams over her sister Venus. All eyes will be on Scot Andy Murray in London as he chases Britan’s long Grand Slam draught. Should Murray pull of the victory at Wimbledon it will go down as one of the most historic editions of the celebrated tournament.   

It’s been five years since the once-dominant Atlanta Braves have won the NL East, but Bobby Cox’s men are back on top as of June 4th. The Braves are the hottest team in baseball, winning nine out of the last ten. Troy Glaus has made himeself right at home in Atlanta after leaving the St. Louis Cardinals at the end of 2009. The 6 ft 5 in power hitter has hammered home 51 RBIs thus far in 2010 and maintained a healthy .285 batting average. Right fielder Jason Heyward and second baseman Martin Prado have also hit for power and percision this season. At the mound, the Atlanta Braves pitching staff have benefited from the stellar pitching of Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson. Lowe and Hudson’s combined 14-5 record is a big reason the Braves have a three game lead on the Philadelphia Phillies. Fending off the mighty Phillies will be a season long struggle for the Braves, but the team looks like they could contend for the NL East crown once again in 2010.

Despite being there only being 13 days until South Africa and Mexico kick off in Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, fans can still get their hands on World Cup tickets. The tournament will mark the first time the world’s grandest tournament has been staged on the continent of Africa, giving the worldwide event further significance. In the United States, fans will be able to watch the tournament like never before. ESPN is throwing more resources into their world cup coverage than ever before, broadcasting every game of the tournament in high definition. The favorites to win the tournament have mainly been Brazil and Spain. England, Italy, Argentina, and the Netherlands also are considered possibilities to make it to the World Cup Final on July 11th.

Many sports writers had already written off the Phoenix Suns in the 2010 Western Conference Finals, but Amare Stoudemire and company showed the world that their series with the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers is far from over. On the back of Stoudemire’s 42 points, the Suns fed off the energy Sunday night at the US Airways Center. The Suns rediscovered the team defense that helped them win 54 games this season. Stoudemire had been roundly criticized for his lack of production on both ends of the floor in game 1 and game 2, but last night the power forward looked unstoppable. From the get-go, the 27-year-old attacked the basket with a heightened level of intensity, fought for rebounds, and played staunch defense. Robin Lopez provided the Suns with a much-needed toughness in the paint, scoring 20 points and frustrating Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum. The Suns will try to even up the series at 2-2 on Tuesday night in Phoenix.

Can you imagine how much boxing tickets for Pacquiao-Mayweather would cost? If Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather ever get in the ring together it will unquestionably be the most lucrative fight in history. People have wanted to see these two fight for years now and this coming November it might actually happen. Promoters of both fighters are supposedly warming up negoations for a fight that would take place November 13th in either New York or Dallas. Pacquiao, who was recently elected to congress in the Philippines, has defeated the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, and Juan Manuel Marquez. Mayweather, who just defeated Sugar Shane Mosley, has never lost a match in his entire career. It would certainly be one for the ages if these fighters can strike a deal.

The 2010-11 NFL season might be little less than five months, but that doesn’t mean us sports fans are banned from talking some pigskin. Right now is the perfect time to plan your season, shop for off price gear, and lock down NFL season tickets for next season. A lot of transpired in the off season from free agent signing like Julius Peppers in Chicago to big names trades including Donovan McNabb and Brandon Marshall to off-the-field controversies involving Steelers Ben Rothlisberger and Santonio Holmes. The New Orleans Saints are coming off one of the most memorable Super Bowls of all-time and will be expected to be in the running to repeat this season. Next Thursday’s 2010 NFL Draft will defiantly play an important part in the future of NFL teams. There is also a lot of players floating around free agency still waiting to be picked up by teams, so it’s bit to early to make too many predictions. Three is so much too look forward to in the coming weeks and month that will help us wrap our minds around next season. Oh yeah, and there still is some guy named Farve who hasn’t made up his mind up yet about something.

The Buffalo Sabres have made 28 playoff appearances in their franchise’s history, but have never come away with Lord Stanley’s Cup. Upstate New York has long been a hotbed for the sport of hockey in America. Center Tim Connolly, who hails from Syracuse, NY, has been the creative force in the Sabres’ attack all season, notching 48 assists this season. The Sabres are currently sitting in the third spot in the Eastern Conference and have been picking up steam the last half of the season. Much of the credit is due to the out-of-this-world goalkeeping of Ryan Miller. The 29-year-old keeper out of Lansing, MI earned himself the right to be called the world’s best goalkeeper at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. A deep Stanley Cup run for the Sabres would only sweet what has already been an amazing year for Miller. The Sabres and the city of Buffalo deserve a Stanley Cup for being such solid support hockey in the United States. This year the Sabres have a shot and that might be all they need.

Churchill Downs is the setting for one of the most historic sporting events in the United States, the Kentucky Derby. Enjoy a day of Mint Juleps, a warm bowl of burgo, women in over-sized hats, of course ” The Run for the Roses” when you purchase Kentucky Derby tickets. Called “the most exciting two minutes in sports” the thoroughbred horse race might only be 1 1/4 miles long, but fans from around the country and beyond wage bets on which horse will cross the finish line first. Ulysses S. Grant was the president of the United States when the inaugural Kentucky Derby was held in 1875. Through the years the race has become the most celebrated horse race in America with legendary horses like Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Barbaro have been winners at Churchill Downs. Over 150,000 congregate at Churchhill Downs for the race on May 1st. Everyone should experience the storied tradition that is the Kentucky Derby at least once in their lifetime. Why not make it this year?

For over twenty years, Mike Modano has been donning the Stars emblem on his chest. At 39 years old, in the twilight of his career, Modano was in danger of leaving the team he’s played his entire career with. Around the trade deadline teams were interested in Modano’s services, but Modano elected to stay in Dallas. When Modano came into the league the Stars were in Minnesota and he was playing in league full of few Americans. The speedy left handed goal scorer quickly become a force in the league. He’s led the Stars to the Stanley Cup Finals on three separate occasions, winning it all in 1999. Modano told the media had he not ever won a Stanley Cup he might have considered moving to a different team. After hockey, Modano has expressed interest in moving into a job in the Stars’ front office.