With the MLB All-Star Game around the corner, sports apparel company ’47 is teaming up with Sarcone’s Bakery for an exclusive pop-up inside the South Philadelphia staple.
The event will run Monday and Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The bakery will offer a special ’47 menu that boasts their famous bread and tomato pie. More importantly, guests who purchase food will receive an exclusive Sarcone’s T-shirt and hat, produced in partnership with ’47.
“When you think of Philly, you think of the passionate sports fans, and you also think of the food scene,” bakery owner Louis Sarcone III said. “The main thing of the food scene in Philly is the Philly cheesesteaks, and our bread is a staple in the city of Philly cheesesteaks. And when you go into a stadium, you see the iconic ‘47 logo everywhere. I think we’re two similar companies that have been around for generations.”
Patrick Cassidy, the vice president of marketing at ’47, helped launch the search for a Philadelphia-based business to partner with. Cassidy, who was born in the city and grew up in Delaware County, felt a bit of pressure to pick the right one.
“We’re going into Philly, and I’m from Philly,” Cassidy recalled. “It’s important to me to get this right in a very real way. I’ve got plenty of cousins and aunts and uncles to answer to if I don’t do it right.”
The front of the T-shirt (left) and a black snapback hat from Sarcone’s collab with ’47.
Sarcone’s was eventually brought up as an option. To Cassidy, the partnership made perfect sense. Sarcone’s was opened in 1918 by Sarcone III’s great-great grandfather, an immigrant from Italy. Five generations later, the bakery is still family-owned. Similarly, Boston-based ‘47 was owned and operated by two families until it was sold to New Era in 2024.
“Sarcone’s, much like us, started as a family business,” Cassidy said. “Heart, history, heritage, a crazy attention to detail. The same amount of detail with how they make their bread, we’ve barely touched the ingredients in our headwear for almost eighty years.”
Sarcone III and the rest of his family are just as excited.
“We get to give something back to our existing customers,” he said. “But also we get a reach that we normally wouldn’t get because of how big [‘47 is], get a bump. And for all the people that are coming in for the All-Star Game, we’re going to be able to reach out to new customers and show them what we’re about as well.”
Guests who purchase an item from the ‘47 menu will not only receive a shirt and hat, but they’ll also be able to customize their new gear with a heat-press station on site. The MLB All-Star Game takes place Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park, with the Home Run Derby taking place one night earlier.
After a month of World Cup festivities, baseball is taking over Philadelphia for Major League Baseball All-Star Week. The biggest event — outside of the All-Star Game itself on Tuesday — will be Monday night’s Home Run Derby headlined by Phillies star Bryce Harper — and soon maybe Kyle Schwarber? — at Citizens Bank Park.
The derby begins at 8 p.m. and streams for the first time on Netflix. This year, instead of each batter having an unlimited amount of swings in a designated time period, participants will be capped at 20 attempts in the first round and 15 in the semifinals and final.
Eight hitters are slated to compete, but just six have signed on so far. Schwarber has not made his decision whether he will join his teammate Harper and participate. Schwarber’s 32 home runs lead the majors. Harper announced on Thursday that he will be competing.
Here’s what you need to know about the six confirmed participants with two more to come:
Bryce Harper, Phillies
Home Run Derby appearances: Three
2026 power numbers: 20 home runs, .509 slugging percentage
What to know: In Harper’s second Home Run Derby in 2018, then wearing a Nationals uniform, he beat out future teammates Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins on his way to winning. He finished with 45 home runs. Harper has 12 seasons with at least 20 home runs, and is on pace to finish with the season with 397 for his career.
Junior Caminero, Rays
Home Run Derby appearances: Two
2026 power numbers: 26 home runs, .541 slugging percentage
What to know: At 22 years old, Caminero almost became the youngest player to win the Derby last year, losing out to Cal Raleigh in the finals. He hit 45 home runs last season and is tied for fourth in baseball with 26 in 2026.
Ben Rice, Yankees
Home Run Derby appearances: First
2026 power numbers: 26 home runs, .573 slugging percentage
What to know: The 27-year old Rice is leading the Yankees in home runs. He has 59 since being called up to the majors three seasons ago.
Jac Caglianone, Royals
Home Run Derby appearances: First
2026 power numbers: 14 home runs, .455 slugging percentage
What to know: Caglianone’s numbers may seem a bit underwhelming compared to his competition. However, the 23-year-old Royals right fielder is coming off a month in which he was one of the best power hitters in baseball. In June, Caglianone hit nine home runs, tied for the second most in the American League in the month.
Willson Contreras, Red Sox
Home Run Derby appearances: First
2026 power numbers: 20 home runs, .541 slugging percentage
What to know: Contreras, who is on pace for a career high in home runs this season, still has tremendous bat speed at age 34, ranking in the 96th percentile (77 mph). He will have his brother William, himself an All-Star as a catcher with the Brewers, there to support him.
Jordan Walker, Cardinals
Home Run Derby appearances: First
2026 power numbers: 21 home runs, .534 slugging percentage
What to know: Walker, also a first-time All-Star, is looking to become the first Cardinal to win the derby. After being demoted to triple-A last year, the 24-year-old Walker is having a breakout season after retooling his swing in the offseason. His 92.4 mph exit velocity when he makes contact is fifth-highest in the league.
For the Palestra’s 100th anniversary, Penn State is returning to the storied arena to face a Keystone State rival, Pittsburgh.
The matchup will be Nov. 8, and it’s the second straight season in which the programs have played at a neutral site — they faced off at the Giant Center in Hershey on Dec. 21, 2025. Penn State holds an 76-73 advantage all-time over Pitt.
This is also the fifth consecutive season in which the Nittany Lions will play at the Palestra.
— Penn State Men’s Basketball (@PennStateMBB) July 9, 2026
“Games like this are what college basketball is all about,” Penn State coach Mike Rhoades wrote in a release. “Great history, passionate fan bases, and high-level competition. The Palestra is one of the most iconic venues in college basketball, and the opportunity to celebrate its 100th anniversary while renewing an in-state rivalry for the 150th time makes this a special event for everyone connected to our program.
Pitt coach Jeff Capel added: “Every basketball player and coach in this country understands the significance of playing at the Palestra. It’s one of the great venues in the history of the sport, and to play Penn State there in its 100th Anniversary year is a truly unique opportunity. Our players will be walking into a building with a century of history behind it, and after the atmosphere we saw in Hershey last year, I can’t wait to see the energy our fans bring to a place like the Palestra.”
The matchup is the second major addition to the Palestra’s 100th anniversary slate announced this week. On Tuesday, Penn announced that its annual Cathedral Classic will expand from four to five teams, ditching its round-robin format. The event, which is Nov. 27-28, will feature host Penn, La Salle, Bucknell, Buffalo, and Towson.
Penn announced in January that the Palestra’s anniversary celebration will begin in late August.
When Eastern Regional’s track and field coach Mike Tangeman is asked about star senior runner Natalie Dumas, he will not call attention to the more than 20 program records she’s broken. Instead, he will mention that she does not own any of the program’s freshman records.
Before becoming one of the most accomplished runners in New Jersey history, Dumas first got involved with the sport as a freshman to bond with her sister, Kadence, who was then a senior.
As a junior, at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions, Natalie became the first girl in state history to place first in three events — the 400 meters, 400-meter hurdles, and 800 meters. A few weeks later, she placed first in the same three events at the New Balance Nationals held at Penn’s Franklin Field. Her accomplishment at both meets made Dumas a prominent name in national track circles and won the attention of the University of Arkansas, where she will be running next year.
This past year was no different. At June’s Meet of Champions in Pennsauken, Dumas placed first again in three events to cap her outdoor scholastic season. She clocked in at 57.04 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles, 52.14 in the 400 meter, and 2 minutes, 03.46 seconds in the 800 meter.
“With track, you have to trust the process because you work up into becoming better time wise,” Dumas said. “Obviously, you’re really out of shape at the beginning, and then you get better and better.
“At the end of the day I’m not afraid to lose.”
A ‘minor celebrity’
Last month, Dumas flew to Eugene, Ore., to compete in the USATF U20s and the Nike Nationals. To combat potential jetlag and the difference in climate, she arrived on the West Coast a few days before she was slated to race at University of Oregon’s Hayward Field.
In the U20s, she won a spot on the U.S. World team after a first-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles, running a season-best 56.13. The next day, she returned to the same track to compete in the 400-meter dash at the Nike Nationals and placed first at 52.21 to claim her eighth national title.
“It was a lot of races,” Dumas said. “But honestly, I didn’t even mind racing that much.”
Dumas’ participation in the Nike Nationals was possible because of the event’s intentional geography and calendar proximity to the U20s. It was also a sign of the ever-evolving nature of high school sports. Dumas is one of 20 female high school track and field athletes signed to Nike Elite. The program, which includes a coveted name, image, and likeness deal with the world’s largest supplier of athletic attire, has increased Dumas’ national appeal. It has also improved her performance on the track.
Natalie Dumas started running track as a freshman at Eastern Regional.
The partnership offers support from Nike’s team of trainers. Since signing with the company, Dumas has revamped her strength training regimen in line with Nike’s guidance and learned more about injury management. Through the program, she also connected with other Nike athletes and Nike Elite’s personal training staff.
“It’s just great overall,” Dumas said. “I feel like high school athletes tend to be more on the lazy side than everyone else, because they kind of don’t have anyone like kicking their butt into gear.”
“Sometimes being called out is embarrassing. [The Nike trainers] will say something like, ‘Hey, you didn’t finish this last set, go do it.’ But they definitely stay on top of you. … They all help us push to be our greatest.”
NIL is not the only change in Dumas’ life. After coming onto the national scene last year, Dumas’ popularity in the track world skyrocketed. The 17-year old currently has nearly 14,000 followers on Instagram.
“Coming into this year, she was a minor celebrity,” Tangeman said. “Dealing with all the attention and everyone knowing her. Other athletes from other schools saying hi to her, wanting to take pictures at meets and just all that other stuff. It was definitely a lot different.”
Dumas had to get used to the constant noise around her — which she admits has been “hard to handle” at times.
“At the end of the day, you shouldn’t worry about making sure everyone’s responded to and everyone’s answered to,” Dumas said. “If they’re closest to you and if they know you, they’ll kind of understand. [They will] be like, ‘Well, I know Natalie. I know the type of person she is, and she wouldn’t do that to me.’ It’s kind of just hard to keep up with it.”
‘Shape me into a better runner’
As one of the top talents in the country, Dumas had her pick of the upper-echelon of college programs, which was a blessing and a curse.
“It’s kind of like when you go to a restaurant and there’s a huge menu,” said Tangeman, laughing.
Dumas spent most of this past year scheduling and taking recruitment visits. In order to woo her, she said several programs pulled out all the stops. One treated her to an outing at Topgolf. Another pitched their school to her on a boat. Ultimately, it was the last school she visited that won her over.
Natalie Dumas runs the 400 meters, 800 meters, and 400-meter hurdles.
“[Arkansas] just set my goals in front of me,” Dumas recalled. “They said, ‘These are your goals, this is what you want to do. If that’s what you want to do, we will make an attempt to reach them.’
Arkansas has won three NCAA women’s outdoor track and field team titles since 2015, and another five in indoor track over that span.
“There’s not too much to be said about Arkansas. You look at the program, you look at the athletes that they have produced, and you see what they have done. I put my trust in them. I’m not afraid to run the workouts that they’re running, lift the workouts that they’re lifting. I’m not afraid to go out there and try something new, and I’m definitely excited for them to kind of just shape me into a better runner.”
While Dumas is looking forward to running at one of the best collegiate programs in the country, she is also mourning the end of her high school career. She graduated last month, cutting her Nike Nationals appearance a day early to make the ceremony. In the weeks since, she has found it “weird” to have a summer away from the track where she first learned to run.
“She brought a lot of positive attention our way,” Tangeman said. “Going forward, the kids coming up throughout our school system will say, ‘Hey, you know this Natalie Dumas? She ran track and field at Eastern, maybe that’s something I want to do too.’”
Major League Baseball is pulling out all the stops for next week’s All-Star Game — including employing some of Philadelphia’s own to get the party started.
On Tuesday, MLB announced the slate of entertainment for its midsummer classic at Citizens Bank Park (July 14, 8 p.m., Fox29). Philly native and “Godmother of Soul” Patti LaBelle will perform the national anthem, while EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson is slated to sing “America the Beautiful.” Philadelphia R&B group Boyz II Men and Top Gun: Maverick star Miles Teller, a Downingtown native, also headline the game’s entertainers.
“As we gather to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, Philadelphia is the perfect stage to bring this milestone to life,” MLB chief marketing officer Uzma Rawn Dowler said in a statement. “… This lineup captures the unique energy of the city while honoring how baseball has been a part of the American spirit for 250 years.”
The 2026 All-Star Game entertainment lineup has been announced 🔥
-Jennifer Hudson to perform "America the Beautiful" -Philadelphia's Patti LaBelle to sing national anthem -Pennsylvania natives Miles Teller and Boyz II Men to participate in All-Star presentation features pic.twitter.com/NMdIgBGFpc
LaBelle will be accompanied by the Military District of Washington Joint Chorus and West Point Band for her rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” LaBelle, 82, was born in Southwest Philadelphia, attended Bartram High School, and resides in Villanova. In 2019, the city honored the two-time Grammy winner by renaming a block of Broad Street between Spruce and Locust “Patti LaBelle Way.”
“I’m a Philadelphia girl,” LaBalle told The Inquirer in February. “It’s laid back, comfortable. … How I like it.”
Hudson also will have some backup and will perform “America the Beautiful” alongside the Philly Pops and the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. In 2022, Hudson, then 40, became the third-youngest person, and youngest woman, to have won each of entertainment’s biggest awards — an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. The Chicago native is the only All-Star performer who does not boast direct Philadelphia ties, but she is no stranger to playing in the city — just last month, her tour with Josh Groban stopped at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Most notably, the “Spotlight” singer headlined the Wawa Welcome America Festival in 2019.
It is unclear if Boyz II Men will be diving into its extensive discography during its performance. After the fifth inning, the group will provide the soundtrack to the league’s Stand Up To Cancer placard moment — in which fans will hold up signs for their loved ones who have been affected by cancer. MLB first started the tradition in Philadelphia during the 2009 World Series.
Miles Teller, the only nonmusician on the list, will be lending his voice to a “stirring tribute of baseball’s impact on American life,” according to MLB. The task is fitting for the actor, who has made his Phillies fandom known over the years. During the 2022 World Series, in which the Phillies fell to the Houston Astros in six games, Teller was a mainstay at Citizens Bank Park. He told The Inquirer he had befriended Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola and then-first baseman Rhys Hoskins. The Whiplash actor even texts with play-by-play announcer Tom McCarthy.
“It’s a pretty big year,” Teller said in 2022. “Top Gun. Also, I turned 35, which feels like a number. [I] hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time. And the Phillies, man. I’ve always lived and died with the Phillies, dude. That’s always been the most important thing to me.”
Storm clouds and a looming threat of rain did not stop fans of the U.S. men’s national team from packing FIFA World Cup watch parties across the area on Monday evening for America’s round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle.
Fans clad in red, white, and blue packed the FIFA Fan Festival in Lemon Hill and Union Yards outside Subaru Park in Chester. The storms held off, but a deluge of Belgian goals led to a 4-1 loss for the U.S., disappointing much of both crowds.
The fan fest in Lemon Hill was sparsely populated after the first match of the day between Spain and Portugal, but by the time the U.S. men kicked off at 8 p.m., the crowd at the festival’s main stage stretched all the way back to the corporate activations set up in the middle of the festival.
That packed crowd was disappointed early, as forward Charles De Ketelaere gave Belgium a 1-0 lead with a strike in the ninth minute. To make matters worse for the U.S. supporters, the stage at Lemon Hill lit up red and yellow as the Belgians celebrated in Seattle.
They did red and yellow strobes at Fan Fest for Belgium’s first goal. The crowd seems less than amused
But the celebration didn’t last long, as De Ketelaere reclaimed the lead just two minutes later. It was all Belgium from there, as it added to its lead in the 57th minute, leaving both crowds in shock.
Fan Fest can’t believe what Matt Freese just did either:
Romelu Lukaku added a fourth to seal the win for Belgium in the 93rd minute, and as U.S. fans headed for the exits in Lemon Hill, a small group of Belgian supporters celebrated their country’s win at the center of the festival.
One of the few Belgians on hand for the match was Bertrand Colla, who traveled to Philadelphia from his home country to visit family and watch France’s win over Paraguay on Saturday at Philadelphia Stadium.
Bertrand Colla celebrates at FIFA Fan Festival after Belgium’s 4-1 win over the U.S.
While Belgium’s close win over Senegal in the round of 32 worried him, he had renewed confidence in his team after its 4-1 thrashing of the U.S.
“I didn’t expect it at all,” Colla said. “This game proves it all. We’re going to go there.”
U.S. fans, meanwhile, were let down after a second consecutive exit in the round of 16 by the U.S. men at the World Cup.
“It’s disappointing. They looked like they didn’t have it from the beginning,” U.S. fan J.P. Hochschwender said as he left Union Yards. “They looked slow. The defense looked a little disorganized, and, ultimately, [Belgium] just capitalized on the opportunities they got, but I had a bad feeling from the get-go.”
Ruben Mendoza holds a replica World Cup trophy while watching the USMNT face Belgium in a round of 16 game.
Lasting effects
Like the FIFA Fan Festival,the Union’s watch party in Chester was free to enter. Team chief revenue officer Charlie Slonaker hopes the event and the area’s World Cup-powered soccer fever will drive more Philadelphians to their MLS team once the tournament is over.
“Soccer is the world’s game, it’s a beautiful game, and there’s no bigger event than the World Cup,” Slonaker said. “We’re excited to hopefully capture that, capture that fan excitement and enthusiasm by [having them] come down to these soccer celebrations.
“We hope they fall in love with the game, as so many of us have, and over the long term, they ultimately want to come out to Subaru Park to watch Philadelphia Union games.”
The Union looked to take advantage of the World Cup’s draw quickly after North America was awarded the tournament in 2018. Once FIFA approved MLS franchises hosting watch parties, Slonaker’s team sprung into action to gather partners for events. On Monday, that included food trucks Mister Softee, Dos Hermanos Taqueria, and Humpty’s Dumplings as well as Michelob Ultra.
Outside of watching the game — one many U.S. fans will want to forget — the area offered plenty to do for a family-heavy crowd. Before and during the game, kids played soccer scrimmages alongside a plethora of lawn games. Unlike the festivities in Lemon Hill, which drew many young adults, the Union looked to engage the next generation of soccer fans.
Slonaker is not the only one hoping the buzz around soccer is here to stay in Philadelphia. Some of the Union’s longtime fans are hoping they will have reinforcements in the stands when the team’s season resumes at the end of the month.
“You see all the international fans mixing with the local fans, and it’s heartwarming,” said Shane Wittkop, a member of Union supporters group Doopin Delinquents. “I hope we have more Union supporters out of this.”
Soccer fans at Union Yards in Chester watch the USMNT face Belgium in the World Cup.
Did Philadelphia just get a spoiler on the MLB All-Star selections?
On Friday, banners boasting some of baseball’s biggest stars were spotted by The Inquirer around town. The banners, first noted by user @gerawaycar on X, appear to be in place for the MLB All-Star Game, which is July 14 at Citizens Bank Park. Many banners are clustered near Market Street, leading up to City Hall.
The Minnesota Twins’ Byron Buxton is getting a banner, too.
The only issue? The MLB has not yet announced the game’s rosters.
The league is scheduled to name starters and reserves on Saturday (7:30 p.m., Fox29). If the banners do correspond with the league’s selections, Philadelphians got a sneak peak. The Inquirer has reached out to the city of Philadelphia for comment.
The banners also could just be promotional material. In 2019, Phillies star Bryce Harper was featured prominently on multiple banners Cleveland, which was hosting that year, despite not being selected to participate.
Bryce Harper and Mookie Betts signs ahead of the 2019 All-Star Game in Cleveland. Harper was not named to that year’s National League roster.
In 2021, when the game was in Colorado, a sign was spotted featuring Harper alongside Chicago White Sox catcher Yermin Mercedes and Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon.
Not necessarily true! Here’s a sign in Colorado during the 2021 All-Star Game featuring Yermin Mercedes, Bryce Harper and Charlie Blackmon. All three were not All-Stars 😂 pic.twitter.com/dgOVHgIjd4
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 3, 2026
Players that are featured on Philadelphia’s banners include the Washington Nationals’ James Wood, New York Yankees’ Cam Schlittler, Atlanta Braves’ Chris Sale, the Athletics’ Shea Langeliers, Pittsburgh Pirates’ Paul Skenes, and Minnesota Twins’ Byron Buxton.
Other banners also have been spotted on social media. Players that were spotted include the Phillies’ Cristopher Sánchez and Kyle Schwarber, Milwaukee Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski, Atlanta Braves’ Matt Olson, Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout, Mets’ Juan Soto, Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong, Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, St. Louis Cardinals’ Jordan Walker, Cleveland Guardians’ Cade Smith, Toronto Blue Jays’ Louis Varland, Houston Astros’ Yordan Alvarez, San Diego Padres’ Mason Miller, Arizona Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll, Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr., and Athletics’ Nick Kurtz.
A banner depicting the Washington Nationals’ James Wood is seen near 15th Street and JFK Boulevard.
Rumors no more. LeBron James is officially considering the 76ers as his next team.
On Friday, James’ agent and Klutch Sports head Rich Paul confirmed Philadelphia as a possible destination for the four-time NBA champion on Paul’s Game Over podcast. Paul, who hosts the show alongside Max Kellerman, wheeled out a white board filled with the various teams James is considering. The Sixers, one of 10 teams listed, were discussed at length.
Rich Paul’s white board for LeBron’s next team with realistic destinations 👀
“Philadelphia, everything changed,” Paul opened up the conversation with, seemingly referring to the 76ers’ trade for former Celtics star Jaylen Brown.
On Thursday, ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst linked James to Philadelphia, referring to Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey, who is also a client of Klutch Sports, as “basically a part of LeBron’s extended family.” Kellerman looked to clarify whether the Sixers had gained James’ attention.
“How could you not have the attention when you have Maxey, [VJ] Edgecombe, Brown and [Joel] Embiid?” Paul replied.
“[James] loves Maxey so we don’t even have to talk about that,” Paul added. “I think VJ, he helps VJ understand really how to play the game. [Edgecombe is] already super talented, plays both ends of the floor, plays hard every night. The benefit that he gets, I mean, it would be ridiculous. Obviously, Jaylen Brown.”
Tyrese Maxey (left) and Lebron James are represented by the same agency: Klutch Sports.
If James were to join Philadelphia, it is expected that he would complement the scoring prowess of Maxey, Brown, and — when healthy — Joel Embiid. Last season, James’ Los Angeles teammate Luka Dončić led the league in points per game while James still put up near All-Star numbers. In 60 appearances, the 41-year old averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists. Meanwhile, Brown and Maxey finished near the top of the NBA scoring ranks last season, finishing fourth and fifth in points per game, respectively.
However, Embiid’s health seems to loom over James’ decision — as it does over most Sixers conversations. When discussing Philadelphia’s roster, Kellerman pointed out that Embiid is the team’s best player when “on the floor.” This has become a rarity in recent years. The Sixers big man has dealt with a slew of injuries since coming into the league. He has played in just 96 games in the three seasons since his MVP campaign. Paul added that Embiid’s “health and habits” are vital.
Later in the conversation, after discussing Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Miami Heat as a possible option for James, Paul circled back to the Sixers. This time, Paul pointed to the Sixers’ revamped front office as an enticing factor, singling out general manager Jameer Nelson and president of basketball operations Mike Gansey.
“X-factor about the Sixers though, we forgot about something” Paul said. “Jameer Nelson is a part of the front office — ex-player. Mike Gansey, you know Mike Gansey is [an] Ohio guy, played against us in high school.”
Nelson, a native of Chester, starred at Saint Joseph’s before putting together a 14-year NBA career. Nelson, who is just three years older than James, played against the four-time MVP 35 times in the league.
Gansey and James go back even further. As Paul pointed out, the two Ohioans competed in high school with Gansey finishing behind just James in the 2001 Mr. Ohio Basketball race. On Wednesday, Gansey’s brother, Steven, posted a photograph of Gansey and James in high school on X. Paul saw the photograph, referencing it on Game Time.
“Does LeBron remember guys like Gansey?” Kellerman asked.
“Absolutely,” Paul responded.
Along with the Sixers and the Heat, eight other teams were listed on Paul’s white board of possible destinations: the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets.
What Sixers fans are saying
Paul’s comments about James’ likelihood of landing in Philadelphia sent ripples through Sixers social media — which was already on high alert following multiple reports and speculation on the subject Thursday.
My insane "Here's why LeBron to Philly could happen" take is that the post-Jaylen Brown trade Sixers are probably the best team he could go to where the narrative would still be"LeBron put them over the top" if they won instead of "LeBron tagged himself on to ring chase”
— one dozen rats at a keyboard (@PanasonicDX4500) July 2, 2026
Bro if I’m Lebron I’m looking at Philly and I’m salivating. Because Brown, VJ, Embiid and Maxey. Plus they got Angelos and Dalessandros kinda a no brainer if you ask me.
Meanwhile, some are not buying the speculation or are experiencing flashbacks to 2018 free agency. Then, James was linked to the Sixers and the city launched a campaign to sign the all-time great. Sixers representatives, headlined by then-coach and interim general manager Brett Brown, met with Klutch Sports but James did not attend the meeting. Soon after, he opted for the bright lights of Los Angeles instead.
LeBron said he wants this last run to be about happiness and you want him to live in philadelphia
LeBron may go there for the roster as a bball move
It’s not gonna be because he met the GM in high school
Stars care stars not GM’s. Sixers need to pitch the talent. If it’s, “hey buddy we go way back remember it’s me Gansey!” Then LeBron will be outta that meeting in minutes https://t.co/5xCuxL9CLH
Historically, Philadelphia has a rocky relationship with kings. That could change.
Following the team’s blockbuster trade for Jaylen Brown, it seems the 76ers could be a legit candidate to land LeBron James, who will not be returning to the Los Angeles Lakers for his 24th season. Here’s why the proposition is not as far-fetched as it may seem …
What is Mike Gansey’s connection to LeBron?
The prospect of James coming Philadelphia was already picking up steam on social media following the Brown trade. Then, Steven Gansey, the younger brother of new Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, added fuel to the fire.
On Wednesday, Steven posted a throwback photo of his brother (far right) alongside James (second from the right) in high school on X. He captioned the post with the eyeballs emoji, insinuating a connection.
As the photo shows, Gansey and James have crossed paths. The two Ohio natives competed in high school. Gansey, who went to have a memorable collegiate career at West Virginia, finished as the runner-up to James in the 2001 Mr. Ohio Basketball race.
Would Gansey make another splashy move?
Over a decade after facing LeBron on the court, Gansey served in a variety of roles in Cleveland during James’ second stint with the Cavaliers. In 2016, when James willed the team to a 3-1 comeback over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, Gansey received a ring as the team’s director of development league operations.
Signing James would also be in line with the Sixers president’s resume. Gansey has previously shown that he is not scared of making splashy moves — and bringing in one of the NBA’s all-time greats is a cannonball.
As the Cavaliers general manager, Gansey was part of a front office that traded for stars Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. Now, during his first offseason leading the Sixers, he executed a trade for Brown — another top-tier player. So it wouldn’t appear Gansey is too risk-adverse to add another star to the roster.
New Sixers president Mike Gansey has been known to make splashy moves.
Are the Sixers actually in the mix?
On Wednesday, Rich Paul, James’ agent and longtime friend, told Game Over podcast host Max Kellerman that between 12 and 14 teams have reached out about his client. With the Sixers appearing to be all-in this season, it would make sense that the team has interest.
And on Thursday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Sixers are “trying to make a pitch” to James.
"I'm told the Sixers are also trying to make a pitch to LeBron James… Include the Sixers & maybe 1 or 2 other teams in due time in that mix. The Sixers get Anfernee Simons & they’re obviously trying to continue to add to this team.”
Shortly after, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst also linked James to the Sixers, pointing to Tyrese Maxey’s connection through Paul and Klutch Sports.
“A key factor in any sort of Philadelphia pursuit of LeBron is Tyrese Maxey. That is not only because of his talent, which is awesome, but he’s one of Klutch’s core clients,” Windhorst said. “He’s basically a part of LeBron’s extended family, so you would not only have Jaylen Brown as the addition, you would have Tyrese Maxey as your drawing card.”
The Philadelphia 76ers are expected to emerge as a strong suitor for LeBron James due to the Tyrese Maxey connection, per @WindhorstESPN
Maxey, who shares the same Klutch Sports agency as LeBron, is viewed as a major recruiting tool for Philly. pic.twitter.com/6GCoUHgl9y
James has also been linked to the Heat, the Cavaliers, and the Warriors since becoming a free agent.
How would LeBron fit with the Sixers?
James’ time-proven versatility makes him a good fit on most NBA rosters, and the Sixers are no exception.
James could easily slide into the four-spot over presumptive starter Dean Wade, a free-agent acquisition from Cleveland. Even if Joel Embiid is banged up during the regular season, the Sixers have two high volume scorers to take the load off James in Brown and Maxey. Last season, Brown and Maxey finished fourth and fifth in points per game, respectively.
The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer is more than willing to take the backseat in the twilight of his career. Last year, Lakers guard Luke Dončić led the league in points per game as James served as the team’s secondary ballhandler. James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in 60 games last season. With the Sixers, he would be asked to do even less.
The Sixers, after signing former New York Knicks center Ariel Hukporti on Wednesday and guard Anfernee Simons on Thursday, are now over the luxury tax and $3.2 million under the first apron, where they are hard-capped. They are now limited to veteran minimum contracts, meaning they could sign James if he is willing to play on a low-cost deal.
Joel Embiid (right) tried recruiting LeBron the last time he was a free agent.
Have the Sixers ever been close before?
The last time James was seeking a new team, as a free-agent in 2018, he gave Philadelphia a look.
Although many considered James to Los Angeles to be a done deal at the time, he did consider joining the Sixers. In an interview with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols after signing with the Lakers, James mentioned that he chose the Lakers over the likes of the Sixers and the Houston Rockets — two teams that boasted more talent than LA at the time — to help cement his legacy as a great.
“I definitely thought long and hard about the possibilities of lining up alongside Ben [Simmons] and [Joel] Embiid, or lining up alongside [James] Harden and Chris [Paul],” James told ESPN in 2018. “I felt like at this point in my career, the ultimate for me — just like when I went to Miami, everyone kind of looks at me joining a super team.”
“I like the challenge of being able to help a team get to some places they haven’t been in a while, and obviously the Lakers haven’t made the playoffs in a few years,” he added.
Representatives from Philadelphia met with James’ camp but James did not attend the meeting. The meeting was led by then-Sixers head coach Brett Brown, who was also serving as the team’s interim president following the resignation of Bryan Colangelo.
Leading up to that free agency, Philadelphia made an all-out push for James with Embiid taking to social media to pitch his team to James. The then-24-year-old center made a plea on Twitter (now X), and even took a shot at Colangelo by referencing a now infamous line he used on one of the burner accounts that led to his exit.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia-based company Power Home Remodeling purchased three billboards outside of Cleveland to court James, who played for the Cavaliers at the time. Two of the billboards read “Philly Wants LeBron” and “Complete The Process” — referring to the Sixers’ motto spearheaded by former president Sam Hinkie. The third billboard featured LeBron’s number on the court alongside the numbers of the Sixers’ starting lineup.
The rumor mill around James joining the Sixers mainly revolved around his well-known relationship with Simmons, who was known to workout with James on occasion. Both former first overall picks, the two (like Maxey and James) shared an agency in Klutch Sports. Coming out of the draft and early in his career, Simmons, a 6-foot-10 point guard, also received a hefty comparison to James because of his playmaking ability and size.
After a slow start, the 76ers‘ first move of free agency came late Thursday night as they signed Dean Wade, formerly of the Cleveland Cavaliers, to a four-year, $39 million deal.
Last season, the 6-foot-9 forward played 59 games (38 starts) and averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 22.3 minutes. With Kelly Oubre Jr. on the move to the Indiana Pacers, Wade could shift into the starting lineup come October.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Sixers’ new signing:
Gansey’s guy
New Sixers president of basketball Mike Gansey has a long history with Wade, so it is quite fitting the former Cavalier is his first free agent acquisition.
As the Cavaliers assistant general manager, Gansey helped bring Wade in as an undrafted free agent on a two-way deal in 2019. After a year playing mostly for the Canton Charge, the team’s G League affiliate, Wade cracked the Cavs’ rotation in the 2020-21 season. Since then, the Kansas State product has been a key contributor for the Cavaliers, whose role players included Max Strus, Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, and Tyrese Proctor.
New Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey has a preexisting relationship with Dean Wade.
Though the Cavaliers boasted stars Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and, later, James Harden, they relied heavily on “glue guys” like Wade under Gansey’s watch. Cleveland won 64 games in 2024-25 and 52 games last season. Meanwhile, the Sixers have struggled to roster role players who fit around the team’s stars in recent years, something Gansey is hoping Wade can change.
“It’s not a championship-caliber team right now, but we’re going to work on that,” Gansey said at his introductory news conference. “Obviously get those four, get the big four [Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and VJ Edgecombe] together on the floor, but we’re going to do everything we can to bring players in here that fit and that obviously can help.”
In Cleveland, Wade was best known for his defense.
With the Cavs, Wade was tasked with defending players at all positions. During the playoffs, Cleveland dominated defensively with Wade on the court, outscoring opponents by 16.2 points per 100 possessions. Additionally, just five players gave up fewer points per drive than Wade last season, according to the ALL NBA Podcast.
Wade’s defensive prowess was noticeable against the Raptors in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, when he was the primary defender on Brandon Ingram. Through the first four games of the series, Wade held the Raptors’ leading scorer to 3 of 14 from the floor.
“As much as y’all talk about us three, me, [Harden], and Evan [Mobley], Dean Wade deserves a bunch of credit tonight,” Mitchell told the Athletic after the Cavaliers’ 115-105 win over Toronto in Game 2. “On both ends of the floor. He’s rolling. He’s screening. He’s defending. He’s doing everything. I know he only had three points, but his impact is extremely high outside of just the scoring.”
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (right) acknowledged Dean Wade’s contributions during their time as teammates.
Mitchell was not the only teammate to take note of Wade’s pestering defense. Former Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson nicknamed Wade the “White Blanket.”
“For me, it’s easy,” Wade told Cleveland.com in January. “I just get out of their way and let them do their thing. I’m out there focusing on defense, trying to bring some energy, bring an edge, fly around and make the extra effort. Evan [Mobley] and [Jarrett Allen] make it stupid easy to be a good defender.”
Rural roots
Wade’s hometown of St. John, Kan. is a bit different from his landing spot in Philadelphia. The rural town is home to roughly 1,200 residents. For reference, Xfinity Mobile Arena has a capacity of 21,000 for Sixers games.
“It’s a small little farming community, but it’s filled with great people who care,” Wade told Abilene-RC.com in 2018. “Everyone loves each other. If you go there, you really understand what it means to have a family environment. It’s a great little town.”
Added his father, Jay Wade: “It’s rural America. When we need something, we don’t just hop in the car and go down to the Home Depot. We’re 25 miles away from the nearest Walmart.”
Before carving out a role in the NBA, Dean Wade (left), here defending a pass from Kennesaw State guard Tyler Hooker, had a solid career at Kansas State.
Wade led St. John to three state titles. During his senior campaign in 2014-15, he was named Mr. Kansas Basketball and the Gatorade Kansas Boys Basketball Player of the Year. That season, Wade averaged 24.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.7 steals, and 3.4 assists as St. John went 26-0. Wade was a finalist for national Gatorade Player of the Year but lost out to Ben Simmons.
When Wade arrived at K-State, his hometown followed him.
“There are die-hard [Kansas] fans in this town that have bought season tickets to K-State just to keep watching Dean,” Jay Wade told Abilene-RC.com. “They drive to Manhattan for every game and wear purple.”
