LeBron James stood on the pitch next to his son Bronny and couldn’t help but look over at him to enjoy the moment. The duo wore matching Los Angeles Lakers jerseys with “James” and “James Jr.” They are embroidered on the back in large purple letters.

“It was like the Matrix or something,” LeBron said afterward. “It just didn’t feel real.”

The Lakers helped James, 39, realize a years-long dream of playing alongside his son when they signed Bronny the 55th overall victory in June, making them the first father-son pair to play in an NBA game together in a preseason matchup on Oct. 6.

Rob Pelinka, general manager of the Lakers has described The draft pick has been called “magical” while his organization has drawn criticism over whether Bronny would have deserved the opportunity if his father hadn’t been one of the sport’s best players. These objections, while sparking great enthusiasm among the James family, reignited discussions about nepotism in sports and how powerful figures exploit their influence, while underscoring the stigmatization of children following in the footsteps of a successful parent or family member .

“There will always be people who say things are nepotism,” said Alice Leppert, an associate professor of media and communications studies at Ursinus College in Pennsylvania. “There will be a cynical assumption that the strings have been pulled and that things are fundamentally not fair.”

That’s often based on people’s desire to believe in a meritocracy, Leppert said, referring to the system in which someone gains status or rewards based on their abilities, not their wealth or social status.

“In general, we don’t live in a meritocracy,” added Leppert. “We want to live in a meritocracy, and that’s why such debates exist.”

For centuries, children from rich and powerful families have inherited businesses, fame and endless resources for success – a conspicuous display of power in Hollywood, politics and sports.

Critics of nepotism argue that those who do not have equal access to resources – producers and directors in the entertainment industry, scouts and training facilities in sports – are at a significant disadvantage in their opportunities.

Others wonder why a practice so deeply rooted in society is even mentioned.

“I don’t want to hear these accusations, people talk about nepotism,” former ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski said during the NBA draft. “The NBA is full of nepotism. The ownership level, front offices, coaching. I don’t want to suddenly hear it because Bronny James’ father plays for the Lakers. It’s very common in this league.”

There have been about 100 cases in NBA history where players joined the league after their fathers played. These young men entered the league after their father’s career ended, but they include Stephen and Dell Curry, Kobe and Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, Bill and Luke Walton, among others.

Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. played together with the Seattle Mariners during parts of the 1990 and 1991 MLB seasons. Hockey great Gordie Howe played with his sons Marty and Mark for the Houston Eros in the WHA and the New England/Hartford Whalers in the WHA and NHL.

According to the Associated Press, the 65 schools that compete in major college football have at least 25 family members on the same coaching staff Review of trainer plans in 2022. In the NFL, 16 of the league’s 32 owners inherited their teams from family, according to a USA Today study.

“I think we’ve come to terms in this country with the fact that if you own it, you can do whatever you want with it,” said David Grenardo, a law professor and sports law expert at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. “So I’m the owner. I can pass it on to my children… And that’s somewhat acceptable because that person has the right to do whatever they want with their property.”

This acceptance changes when it comes to athletes, said Grenardo.

“We are completely uncomfortable with the idea of ​​someone getting a chance that they don’t deserve,” he said, referring to the fascination of seeing the best in sport compete against the best.

“So when you have a situation where someone who may not be perceived as the best is given a chance over someone else, and sometimes it’s not a meritocracy, sometimes it’s become political, sometimes the question is, ‘Whose child Is that?” Grenardo said.

This is where nepotism conversations have arisen around Bronny, with critics arguing that he was unproven before he was drafted and deserved more attention than almost any other late second-round pick in NBA history.

After recovering from Cardiac arrest over a year agoBronny played one season in Southern California before entering the draft. He was praised for his athleticism, defensive skills and work ethic, but averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in six of 25 games for the Trojans.

“Part of this discourse with LeBron and his son Bronny is that he is a visible African-American athlete,” said C. Keith Harrison, a professor of sport and business leadership at the University of Central Florida. “And for some reason it is assumed that he will not take advantage of the power and privilege that he has as an American, as an American Black, as a successful athlete, entrepreneur or businessman.”

Harrison pointed to numerous examples of athletes exercising their influence through nepotism: the Buss family’s ownership of the Lakers; the Harbaugh family, which has an extensive tradition of football coaching.

“If we have these nicknames or these approaches and these realities of nepotism and hiring people that they’re comfortable with … when it comes to (LeBron) and his son Bronny, why does this come up?” Harrison said.

Grenardo independently came to his own conclusion.

“Some of this could very well just be racist,” he said. “This is a black man who is one of the few black billionaires, and this is an American. And he uses his power as others have used their power, but ‘I don’t like that he’s so powerful now.'”

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