Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro made a direct recruiting pitch to NBA superstar LeBron James in an effort to bring the four-time league MVP to the Philadelphia 76ers before the player finalized his most recent free-agency decision, the New York Post reported on July 24, 2026.
According to the report, Shapiro contacted James ahead of the announcement of the forward’s next team, hoping to convince him to relocate to Philadelphia. Specifics of the outreach were not disclosed, but the governor confirmed that the attempt was made before James publicly revealed his plans for the 2026-27 season.
Shapiro, 52, has frequently voiced support for Philadelphia sports franchises and described himself as a long-time 76ers fan. His approach marks a rare instance of a sitting governor personally engaging in NBA free-agency recruitment.
James, 41, ultimately chose a different destination, ending any possibility of a move to the 76ers for the upcoming season.
Source: New York Post
