NBA

Former Disney CEO Bob Iger and venture capitalist Josh Kushner have agreed to purchase the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter for approximately $12.5 billion, the highest price ever for a U.S. sports franchise. The deal, pending NBA Board of Governors approval, values the team 21% above the $10 billion Walter paid for a controlling stake just 14 months ago. The acquisition reflects surging sports franchise valuations and billionaire investment trends.

35 reports · 10 sources · Updated Aug 24, 10:51 PM UTC

LeBron James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, announced on July 24, 2026, that he will join the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million contract for his record-extending 24th season. The 41-year-old superstar, previously with the Los Angeles Lakers, aims to end the 76ers' 43-year championship drought. He will team up with Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey. James cited his love for competition and winning as motivation for the move.

20 reports · 5 sources · Updated Jul 31, 10:00 AM UTC

Draymond Green has agreed to a $27.7 million contract with the Golden State Warriors for the 2026-27 season, the same deal he declined before free agency. The move gave the team flexibility to pursue LeBron James, who ultimately signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. Green, a four-time NBA champion and former Defensive Player of the Year, is entering his 15th season with the Warriors. If he plays 51 games, he will join Stephen Curry as the only players in franchise history to appear in 1,000 games. Last season, Green averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, but the Warriors finished 37-45 and missed the playoffs after losing in the Play-In Tournament. The team re-signed several free agents, including Charles Bassey, Al Horford, De'Anthony Melton, and Kristaps Porziņģis. The Warriors were also plagued by injuries, including season-ending knee injuries to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, and Curry missing 27 games with a knee injury. The team will be led by head coach Steve Kerr, who signed a two-year extension.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 01:50 PM UTC

Russian supermodel Irina Shayk, 40, is reportedly dating NBA star Devin Booker, 29, according to celebrity gossip account DeuxMoi and confirmed by a source to People magazine. The two were introduced by mutual friends a few months ago and are in the early stages of their relationship. An insider says they admire each other and hope to spend more time together before the new NBA season starts. Shayk may attend Booker's games in the future. Booker previously dated Kendall Jenner, while Shayk was in a relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo and has a daughter with actor Bradley Cooper, from whom she split in 2019.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 06:00 AM UTC

Following LeBron James's announcement that he will join the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal, secondary ticket marketplace TickPick reports that the 'get-in' price for his preseason home debut against the Boston Celtics on October 16 has reached $165. This is 142% higher than the average $68 purchase price for 76ers regular season home games in the 2025-26 season. Some non-premium tickets have hit $589. TickPick co-CEO Brett Goldberg attributes the spike to the 'LeBron Effect,' noting that fans recognize limited opportunities to see the 23-year NBA veteran. The article also notes that other preseason games remain well below $100, and predicts the average purchase price for 76ers home games this season will be 40% higher than last season.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 07:06 PM UTC

LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers will play a league-maximum 34 nationally televised games across ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, and Prime Video during the 2026-27 NBA season. The announcement came after the 41-year-old James signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers, his fourth team. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had delayed the schedule release pending James' decision, which influenced opening week and Christmas Day matchups. The 76ers' new starting five includes James, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid. Key matchups include games against the reigning champion New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat (with Giannis Antetokounmpo), Cleveland Cavaliers, L.A. Lakers, and Golden State Warriors. Following James' move, the 76ers became the third favorite to win the NBA title, behind the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 06:48 PM UTC

The WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago set a new attendance record of 19,783 fans, surpassing the NBA's All-Star Game attendance for the first time in history. The event highlighted a historic first half of the 2026 season, with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert declaring it the most-watched season ever, reaching over 73 million unique viewers through 117 national broadcasts—up from 63 million all of last season. League-wide attendance rose 16%, and 29 games averaged over a million viewers before the All-Star break, compared to 11 all of last season. The game itself saw Team Spoon defeat Team Coop 129-122, with Jonquel Jones earning MVP honors. The growth is attributed to increased investment, marketing, and a record 216 national television games in the league's 30th season.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 03:38 PM UTC

U.S. President Donald Trump sparked controversy by calling NBA star LeBron James "maybe a racist" during a GOAT debate in the Oval Office, praising Michael Jordan instead. The remarks came after James, 41, announced his move to the Philadelphia 76ers for the upcoming season. Trump’s comments continue his long-running feud with James, who has criticized Trump’s policies and supported Democratic opponents. The incident highlights the intersection of sports and politics.

8 reports · 4 sources · Updated Jul 28, 03:27 PM UTC

Portuguese NBA center Neemias Queta expressed optimism about Portugal's chances of qualifying for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time in history. Speaking at his training camp in Paço de Arcos, the 27-year-old Boston Celtics player emphasized hard work and determination, stating that 'someday it will have to be the first time.' Portugal faces Spain on August 28 and Georgia on August 31 in the second qualifying phase. Currently fourth in Group I with nine points, the top three from each European group advance to the World Cup in Qatar (August 27-September 12, 2027). Queta, who recently signed a $56 million contract extension with the Celtics, is among 16 players called up by coach Mário Gomes. He also highlighted the value of his training camp for young Portuguese players, featuring NBA-experienced coaches.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 01:51 PM UTC

Following his blockbuster transfer from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Philadelphia 76ers, NBA superstar LeBron James reportedly plans to live in New York City and commute to Philadelphia by helicopter, a strategy compared to former German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. Lehmann, during his time at VfB Stuttgart, lived near Munich and flew by helicopter to training to save time and be with family. The 150-kilometer flight between New York and Philadelphia takes about 45 minutes, versus 90 minutes by car. James would not be the first Sixers player to do this; J.J. Redick commuted from Brooklyn during his tenure, and Wilt Chamberlain also lived in New York while playing for Philadelphia. NBA insider Shams Charania noted that this commuting option made Philadelphia more attractive to James.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 09:11 AM UTC

Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta confirmed on Sunday that he will represent the Portuguese national basketball team in the upcoming FIBA World Cup qualifying games, after missing the previous international window due to contract renegotiation with the NBA team. Queta made the announcement during his appearance at the Estoril Open tennis tournament, where he was invited to toss the coin for the doubles final. He will join the Portuguese team for the start of the second qualifying phase, with games against Spain in Zaragoza on August 28 and against Georgia in Matosinhos three days later. Queta expressed confidence in the team's chances, stating that each game is a fresh opportunity and that Portugal can surprise favored Spain. He emphasized the goal of reaching the World Cup and being competitive.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 03:30 PM UTC

During his summer break, French basketball star Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs played an amateur football match at the Katy Sports Complex in Houston, Texas. Wearing a Paris Saint-Germain jersey, he joined local youths in a friendly game, scoring two goals and celebrating in the style of Kylian Mbappé. The event was filmed by surprised internet users, and he left to cheers. Additionally, Wembanyama participated in a training session with NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon at his academy. This is not the first time the Frenchman has joined a football match, having done so in Japan last summer.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 09:28 PM UTC

During his summer break, French basketball star Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs played an amateur football match at the Katy Sports Complex in Houston, Texas. Wearing a Paris Saint-Germain jersey, he joined local youths in a friendly game, scoring two goals and celebrating in the style of Kylian Mbappé before leaving to cheers. The 7'4" center, recently called up for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, also participated in a special training session with NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon at his academy. This is not the first time Wembanyama has played football during his travels, having done the same in Japan last summer.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 09:28 PM UTC

Mario Hezonja announced he will pay the €850,000 buyout clause to leave Real Madrid and return to the NBA. The move initially raised suspicions at Real Madrid as his destination was unknown. However, after LeBron James chose the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors—who missed out on James—emerged as the main candidates to sign Hezonja, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Both teams face salary cap constraints and see the 31-year-old Croatian as a budget-friendly, experienced option. Hezonja played 335 NBA games with the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers before returning to Europe, where he won the EuroLeague with Madrid in 2023 and was named MVP of the season. His departure was also influenced by coach Sergio Scariolo's exit.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 02:37 PM UTC

Mario Hezonja announced he would pay the €850,000 buyout clause to leave Real Madrid for the NBA, sparking initial suspicion as his destination was unknown. Following LeBron James' decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, who missed out on James, are now emerging as the main candidates to sign Hezonja, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Both teams face salary cap constraints and see the 31-year-old Croatian as a budget-friendly, experienced option. Hezonja, who played 335 NBA games with the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers, won the EuroLeague with Madrid in 2023 and was named MVP of the season. His departure was also influenced by coach Sergio Scariolo's exit. Hezonja's return to the NBA appears imminent, ending speculation that the move was a ploy to escape his Madrid contract.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 02:37 PM UTC

Mario Hezonja announced he will pay the €850,000 buyout clause to leave Real Madrid and return to the NBA. The move initially raised suspicions at Madrid as his destination was unknown. However, after LeBron James chose the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors—who missed out on James—emerged as the main candidates to sign Hezonja. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that both teams face salary cap issues and see the Croatian as a budget-friendly, experienced option. Hezonja, 31, played 335 NBA games with Orlando, New York, and Portland before returning to Europe, where he won the EuroLeague with Madrid in 2023 and was named MVP of the season. His departure was also influenced by the exit of coach Sergio Scariolo. Hezonja's decision appears genuine, ending speculation it was a ploy to evade his Madrid contract.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 02:37 PM UTC

ESPN analyst and former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins declared the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics the 'biggest losers' after LeBron James signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. Perkins argued the Cavaliers failed to make a move to attract James, while the Celtics 'gift wrapped' Jaylen Brown to the Sixers in a trade involving Paul George and four draft picks. James, a fan of Brown, will now join him alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia. The Sixers became the third betting favorite to win the NBA title, behind the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. Meanwhile, Charles Barkley criticized James for consistently stacking his teams, referencing his stints in Miami, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and now Philadelphia. Perkins also noted that Jayson Tatum faces immense pressure to deliver for the Celtics this season.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 11:17 AM UTC

On July 25, 2026, US President Donald Trump made a shocking statement directed at NBA star LeBron James, suggesting 'Maybe he's a racist.' The comment, reported by German tabloid BILD Sport, has sparked controversy and drawn widespread attention. The article highlights Trump's unexpected attack on the basketball icon, though it provides limited context or direct quotes beyond the headline statement. The incident adds to a history of tensions between Trump and prominent Black athletes, particularly LeBron James, who has been outspoken on social and political issues. The report comes amid other breaking news in Germany, but the core focus remains on Trump's inflammatory remark and its potential implications for public discourse.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 08:02 AM UTC

Renowned football transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano posted on Chinese social media that LeBron James will join the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year contract, using his trademark 'Here We Go!' phrase. Romano stated the news came from his friend, NBA insider Shams, and joked that as a football journalist he had to do this too. He later asked his Chinese followers to suggest what football transfer this NBA move would equate to. The post is a lighthearted crossover between football and basketball transfer news, riding on the popularity of Romano's catchphrase in Chinese sports fan culture.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 11:42 PM UTC

LeBron James, at age 41, has signed a two-season contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, joining the team of his childhood idol Julius Erving. The article reviews his substantial net worth, estimated at $1.4 billion, making him the only billionaire basketball player. His wealth includes real estate holdings in Beverly Hills ($36.75 million), Brentwood ($23 million), and Akron ($9.2 million), as well as past property sales. He has lucrative advertising contracts, notably a lifetime deal with Nike, and investments in sports teams like Liverpool FC, Málaga, Boston Red Sox, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Other investments span entertainment (SpringHill Company, YES Network), telecommunications (AT&T), food (Pepsi, Pizza Blaze), and Beats By Dre. Despite earning $52.6 million in his last Lakers season, he will sign a low $8 million two-year deal with the Sixers to facilitate team building for a championship run.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 06:23 PM UTC

Spanish basketball team Valencia Basket has announced a deal to add forward Mouhamadou Gueye to its roster. Gueye, 28, technically remains under contract with the Charlotte Hornets but is expected to be waived soon to finalize the move. Gueye went undrafted out of Pitt in 2022 and has spent most of his career in the G League, playing for Texas Legends, Raptors 905, Capital City Go-Go, and Windy City Bulls. Last season with Windy City, he averaged 14.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks in 29.2 minutes per game. He earned a two-year contract with the Chicago Bulls in the 2025/26 season and was later traded to Charlotte as part of a four-team deal involving the Bulls, Timberwolves, Nets, and Hornets. Valencia Basket finished second in the EuroLeague regular season in 2025/26 but is undergoing significant roster changes, with key players like Jean Montero and Sergio de Larrea departing.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 06:53 PM UTC

On July 23, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club officially welcomed NBA San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The club shared photos on social media showing Barnes holding a Tottenham jersey with his name and the number 40 printed on it. Tottenham's official caption highlighted the cross-sport connection between the two 'Spurs' teams, writing: 'Spurs 🤝 Spurs, delighted to welcome NBA star Harrison Barnes to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium!' The visit underscores a friendly collaboration between the NBA franchise and the Premier League club, both nicknamed the Spurs. Barnes, a veteran NBA player, was traded to the San Antonio Spurs earlier this month.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 05:48 PM UTC

Comcast reported second-quarter earnings on July 23, 2026, highlighting strong performance at NBCUniversal ahead of the planned split of its media and broadband businesses into two separate publicly traded companies. NBCUniversal's streaming service Peacock achieved profitability for the first time since its 2020 launch, boosted by live sports including the FIFA World Cup and NBA postseason. Revenue in the content and experiences division rose nearly 23% year-over-year to $10.73 billion. In contrast, Comcast's traditional cable and broadband business continued to struggle, losing 167,000 broadband residential customers and 280,000 cable TV subscribers. Connectivity and platforms segment revenue fell 3% to $19.8 billion, with EBITDA dropping nearly 6%. Mobile service remained a bright spot, adding a record number of lines to reach 10.2 million total. Overall revenue was down 1.2%, but adjusted earnings per share of $1.04 beat Wall Street estimates of 97 cents. Co-CEOs Brian Roberts and Mike Cavanagh described the planned split as an important step toward creating two focused companies.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 11:14 AM UTC

2K Games has officially announced NBA 2K27, the next installment in its basketball franchise, with Victor Wembanyama as the cover athlete for the Standard Edition. The San Antonio Spurs center represents the present and future of the NBA. Caitlin Clark will appear on the Deluxe Edition cover, symbolizing the growth of women's basketball, while Derrick Rose, the youngest MVP in NBA history, will be featured on the Ultra Edition cover, contributing legacy. The game aims to reflect the evolution of the sport and the impact of a new generation of stars. Wembanyama emphasized the importance of the franchise for basketball fans worldwide. NBA 2K27 is set for release on September 4, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, with early access for Deluxe and Ultra editions starting August 28. A gameplay trailer is scheduled for July 28.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 03:39 PM UTC

2K has officially announced NBA 2K27, the next installment in its popular basketball franchise, with Victor Wembanyama as the cover athlete for the Standard Edition. The San Antonio Spurs center represents the present and future of the NBA. Caitlin Clark will appear on the Deluxe Edition cover, symbolizing the international growth of women's basketball, while Derrick Rose, the youngest MVP in NBA history, will be featured on the Ultra Edition cover, contributing a legacy element. The game aims to reflect the evolution of the sport and the impact of a new generation of stars. NBA 2K27 is set for release on September 4, 2026, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Deluxe and Ultra editions offer early access from August 28, with a gameplay trailer premiering on July 28. Wembanyama highlighted the game's role in allowing fans to live basketball 24/7.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 03:39 PM UTC

Forbes reports on Project B, a women's basketball venture reshaping the sport by expanding women's ownership, leadership, and investment while granting players equity and long-term wealth. The article highlights the persistent gender and racial gaps in sports leadership: women hold only 32% of executive positions in international federations, and just 10% of president/CEO roles. In the U.S., women lead only 11% of Fortune 500 companies, and Black women hold just 7% of C-suite roles. Project B's investor board deliberately counters these trends, featuring prominent women such as former athletes Cheryl Miller, Candace Parker, and Lauren Jackson, alongside business leaders like Robin Washington, Merline Saintil, and Sloane Stephens. The venture aims to shift who creates wealth and influences strategy in the sport economy, moving beyond simply backing another basketball venture to intentionally structuring the organization to reflect the diversity of its players and the sport.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 03:21 PM UTC

The Miami Heat mistakenly posted and deleted a YouTube livestream titled "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference" scheduled for July 27, 2025. The team called it a social media error, explaining the video was pre-prepared for a possible free agency outcome. LeBron James, 41, left the Los Angeles Lakers and is considering offers from the Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Golden State Warriors. His agent Rich Paul said no decision is imminent.

7 reports · 5 sources · Updated Jul 23, 06:06 AM UTC

The article reports on the ongoing NBA courtship of LeBron James, who is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons. A deleted YouTube video from the Miami Heat titled 'LeBron James Introductory Press Conference | July 27, 2026' sparked speculation about his next team. The Heat denied an agreement, calling it a social media error. Miami is now the betting favorite, ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. The Heat's pitch includes star teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo, center Bam Adebayo, a golf course, good weather, and no state income tax in Florida. James previously played for Miami from 2010 to 2014, winning two NBA championships. He enters his 24th season, the longest in NBA history, and holds records for most points and games played.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 07:53 AM UTC

LeBron James, at age 41, has publicly rejected the notion that athletes should retire solely because of their age. In a video released from a live 'The Shop' podcast panel at Fanatics Fest, the NBA star explained that his motivations to continue playing include inspiring the younger generation, his own children, and his deep love for the game. He argued that the pressure on aging athletes to retire 'needs to stop,' drawing parallels to musicians like Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones, who continue performing without such scrutiny. James emphasized that as long as he performs at a high level and contributes to the sport, he sees no reason to stop. His comments come shortly after he became an unrestricted free agent, ending his eight-year stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. His agent, Rich Paul, stated that James will not be rushed into a decision. The article also notes similar sentiments from retired tennis star Roger Federer and actress Halle Berry regarding age and retirement.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 05:07 AM UTC

Under new owner Tom Dundon, the Portland Trail Blazers are making significant cuts to their broadcasting team, following earlier layoffs of 70 front office employees. TV analyst Michael Holton (19 seasons), statistician Tom Haberstroh, and hosts Neil Everett and Jamie Hudson have been let go or had contracts not renewed. Several other broadcasters face deep pay cuts. The TV production crew has also been reduced, losing its producer Greg Fonseca to NBA Broadcasting. The status of play-by-play announcers Kevin Calabro and Travis Demers is uncertain. The team may adopt a TV simulcast for radio broadcasts, a move Dundon previously made with the Carolina Hurricanes. No NBA team currently uses a TV simulcast.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 02:13 AM UTC