In just 48 hours, LeBron James' new jersey for the Philadelphia 76ers set a new record, with 6,450 preorders, surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s 2023 mark. Ohtani established that record when he moved from the Los Angeles Angels to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fanatics made the jersey available for preorder four days after James announced his decision on social media. Early numbers indicate a massive spike in demand for his new team gear.
The unexpected decision
Now, he will play alongside stars like Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey. This decision has sparked renewed optimism that the 76ers could contend for a title in the upcoming season. James and Maxey had even trained together before the move was made official, hinting at their potential chemistry. When LeBron announced that he would be joining the 76ers on Friday, it sent the city of Philadelphia into a frenzy. He surprisingly chose them over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, and Miami Heat. Philadelphia native and comedian Kevin Hart, who is also a friend of James, was sent into hysteria when James announced that he would be joining Hart's beloved 76ers. WNBA star Caitlin Clark was in the middle of a press conference during the WNBA's All-Star weekend in Chicago when she found out that James would be coming to the City of Brotherly Love. Like most basketball fans, she was caught by surprise.
Two legends, one legacy
James, now 41, begins his 24th season in the NBA with an impressive resume: four championships, four Finals MVP awards, four NBA MVP honors, and 21 All-NBA selections. On the other hand, Shohei Ohtani, at just 32 years old, is already seen as one of the greatest in baseball history. He has two World Series titles, four MVP awards, and six All-MLB first-team honors to his name. Both athletes have left indelible marks on their sports, even though their careers have taken very different routes. James proved last season that he still has top-tier skills, leading the Los Angeles Lakers deep into the playoffs. Ohtani, meanwhile, continues to break barriers, most notably as the first player to reach a 50/50 season in MLB history.
Fanatics announced officially that James' No. 23 jersey with the 76ers is the best-selling jersey ever for a player in any sport in the first 48 hours after a signing. From Fanatics: "According to data from Fanatics, the official e-commerce partner of both the NBA and the Philadelphia 76ers, for the period of the first 48 hours after their announcement, LeBron James sold the most jerseys ever of a player joining a new team (across all sports), surpassing Shohei Ohtani's move to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023. Since Friday, LeBron James merchandise has accounted for eight of the top 10 selling products across all sports throughout the Fanatics network of sites." Fanatics saw six different colorways with James' No. 23 listed as out of stock on their website within 72 hours after his jersey was released to the public to order. On Tuesday, Fanatics added more James jerseys to their inventory and currently has them listed for preorder. With James finally putting an end to his 'final decision,' he will now be tasked with helping Philadelphia win its first NBA title since 1983, when they ironically swept the Los Angeles Lakers.