Savannah James, the wife of NBA icon LeBron James, says she was denied entry at an Hermès boutique in Italy even though she had a scheduled appointment.
The 39-year-old entrepreneur, who married the Los Angeles Lakers superstar in 2013, said she was joined by her close friend and business partner April McDaniel when the alleged incident unfolded. According to the pair, the episode ultimately led to a sales associate losing her job.
James and McDaniel shared the account during an appearance this week on Danielle Robay’s Question Everything podcast. While reflecting on shopping experiences from their travels, McDaniel brought up what she described as a mishandled visit to Hermès.
The Daily Mail said it contacted representatives for both James and Hermès seeking comment, but had not received a response.
“We be hustling,” McDaniel said as she described their efforts to secure luxury purchases abroad. But at the Italian store, she claimed staff members “treated us like s**t.”
McDaniel said the women escalated their complaint to senior staff, adding, “They closed down that whole motherf*****g store.”
Savannah James, wife of LeBron James, said she was refused service at an Hermès store in Italy despite having an appointment
The 39-year-old entrepreneur has been married to the NBA superstar since 2013; pictured in May 2025
‘They did,’ Savannah corroborated before McDaniel added that the fashion house ‘fired the lady,’ after she told the woman, ‘We’ll be back for you. I’ll be right back.’
‘We had an appointment,’ Savannah cut in, adding, ‘And they tried to act like it was…’
A visibly worked up McDaniel then interjected, ‘I said, baby, you caught the wrong one today.’
She noted that her friend was ‘very nice,’ but she was not as patient with the staff regarding the slight, and her frustration led to a full-on shopping spree.
‘We’ll be back here. The whole store is closing down. We’re bringing out [crocodile leather] and everything,’ she said she demanded.
She joked, ‘You want some smoke? You done caught one. I am crazy like that.’
Later, McDaniel shared, ‘We [were] in the private room with champagne and macarons.’
‘They brought out everything,’ Savannah confirmed about the wild occurrence.
The 39-year-old entrepreneur was with her friend and business partner April McDaniel during the alleged incident, which they said resulted in a saleswoman being fired; An Hermes store in Amsterdam in March 2023
L-R LeBron, Bryce James, Savannah, Zhuri James, Gloria Marie James, and Bronny James pictured in 2023
‘I said I’ll take bathing suits, I’m buying silverware,’ McDaniel trailed on. ‘I was living my best life.’
Savannah’s podcast appearance comes weeks after her husband announced he has signed an $8 million, two-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The sports icon, 41, previously played for the Los Angeles Lakers for eight seasons.
In a lengthy statement on X, he said he strongly considered retiring but believes he still has ‘more to give.’
Savannah and LeBron share sons Bronny, 21, Bryce, 19, and daughter Zhuri, 11.
Asked by Robay what advice the mom of three would give other wives and girlfriends of athletes, she answered: ‘Pay attention to yourself as much as you’re paying attention to your partner.’
She added, ‘Don’t lose yourself in the babies, if they come. Don’t lose yourself in the facade of what all of this looks like. Try to stay grounded, try to stay authentic to who you are, and what this connection was from the very beginning.’
