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LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and four-time NBA champion, agreed to a two-year deal worth $8 million last week. It will be a record 24th season for the NBA great. “I think for what he represents in sports and sports culture, it’s huge — and it’s huge for the city of Philadelphia,” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said. “It’ll be exciting to have a figure like that in the city, what he’s done, one of the greatest to ever do it. I’m excited to be a part of that.”
Eagles star wide receiver DeVonta Smith, a noted Celtics fan, might feel conflicted: “Looks like the Sixers are trying to go win one. Can’t be mad at that.” The Eagles might have helped recruit James to Philadelphia indirectly. Running back Saquon Barkley, who said before James signed with the 76ers that you’re “remembered forever” if you win a title in Philadelphia, added that “the city of Philadelphia is a super cool place to be for sports in how involved the fans are, and having LeBron here is great for the culture.”
Former NBA shooting guard Cuttino Mobley, a Philly legend at Cardinal Dougherty, the same school Kyle Lowry attended, went on Instagram and promised he would be flying home for more games this season. Philadelphia Eagles legend Jason Kelce, filming live, was stunned into silence. In South New Jersey, Camden High School’s football team celebrated in unison. “It’s one of the biggest moments in the history of the city,” Williams said — which is saying something for a city known for history.
Among those caught up in the excitement of James’ decision? Saquon Barkley, the Eagles’ superstar running back who welcomed James to Philadelphia on Friday afternoon. “Welcome to the city!” Barkley wrote on social media. “Let me know when you tryna tee it up.” Barkley is an avid golfer, and James has just recently gotten into it. Surely, they’ll be playing together in the near future.
Knicks championship gear has become the top seller across all sports within the first 24 hours of a title in Fanatics history, the company said, breaking a record previously held by the 2025 Philadelphia Eagles just after beating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. The Knicks are also on pace to become the top championship team for total sales in Fanatics history, surpassing the sales record set when the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series in 2016.
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The Warriors won four titles and reached the championship six times in eight years. (It’s also a culture that Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has said he admired.) “I was really interested in Steve Kerr’s, and one of the things he talked about in his culture that I’ve read about …was just joy,” Sirianni said last season. “One thing I read: He made it a point of putting up pictures of the guys in the building, of that current team celebrating and really talking about their core values. … There are a ton of pictures and video boards of our guys doing those things. That’s inspired by Coach Kerr there.
Austin Krell: Per the NBA, Dec. 26 game between Philadelphia and Chicago game will now be televised by Prime Video, with game time changed to 7:30 PM ET. The Boston at Indiana game will no longer be televised by Prime Video, with game time changed to 7:00 PM ET.
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum surprised the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) men's basketball team with a full set of his new JT 4 sneakers. The Eagles, expecting a team meeting, were instead greeted by a video message from Tatum. "Best of luck to the season starting up," Tatum said. "I got a special gift from myself to y'all-new JT 4s for everybody on the team. Just wanted to show some love to the squad. I'm a check y'all out this year, best of luck."
The Serbian national team arrived in Riga yesterday, with their first practice held at 9 p.m. The “Eagles” had special guests at the session. Denver Nuggets staff members Ben Tenzer and John Wallace attended Serbia’s training. Tenzer serves as the Nuggets’ vice president of basketball operations, after previously being the interim general manager, while Wallace is the vice president of player development. Their main focus, of course, is on monitoring Nikola Jokić, who is expected to lead Serbia at EuroBasket. In addition, the Colorado team will have another representative at the continental championship: Jonas Valančiūnas, who will join Jokić next season to form Denver’s center duo.
During the NFL season, we saw a huge uptick in the trend of players wearing customized sneakers-turned-cleats during their games on Sundays. Eagles’ Jalen Hurts was consistently rocking the newest Air Jordan footwear on the field, while players like Stefon Diggs and Tyreek Hill continued to show out with their custom creations.
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To be clear, the Eagles have not publicly stated whether they will or won’t go to the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs. But according to Barkley, they should go. “I don’t care who the president is,” Barkley said on the latest episode of The Steam Room podcast with co-host Ernie Johnson. “He’s the President of the United States. It’s bothered me, the last 10 years, they’re like, ‘Well, I’m not going because this certain person is president.’ Dude, it’s the President of the United States. “Even though I disagree with President Trump on some things, if I met him, I would still give him the respect and dignity he deserves. We can disagree, but it bothers me when these teams don’t want to go to the White House. I’m just disappointed…we got so divided. Where did we get to as a country when we’re like, ‘We’re not going to the White House, we don’t like who’s in there.’ That’s just stupid.”
Miami Heat president and minority owner Pat Riley could see his wealth expand if the Kansas City Chiefs, who won Super Bowls 2023 and 2024, defeat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and become the first team to pull off a Super Bowl “three-peat.” Riley famously trademarked the term more than three decades ago and controls the commercial rights for use of the phrase. Sportico has learned that the Chiefs are in discussions with Riley’s team on a license for three-peat. If a deal is reached, the Chiefs would pass rights through to a handful of companies—Fanatics, New Era, Wilson, Riddell and Wincraft—to make products. Neither the Chiefs nor an attorney for Riley responded to a request for comment.
Zach Berman: Jeffrey Lurie on report linking him to buying the Celtics: "No, I'm not really interested in acquiring another sports team. I think it's connected because they're my childhood team. I've got a tremendous amount of respect for their whole culture. I sort of see it as like a kindred soul in the NBA. Wyc (Grousbeck) has been an outstanding owner. I love the way they've developed that team. And we've got to celebrate so many banners over the years. It's not something that's top of mind. And my whole focus is on my love of the Eagles and to win another Super Bowl for Philadelphia. And I'm obsessed."
Austin Krell: In non-Eagles injury news, Joel Embiid is not listed on the injury report for tomorrow’s game vs the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama is not listed for San Antonio. The only time the two faced off in the NBA, Embiid scored 70 points.