Gov. Josh Shapiro made a 76ers recruiting pitch to LeBron James before decision

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is celebrating his state’s big win in landing LeBron James.

But a week before, he was apparently on the campaign trail in his attempt to lay the groundwork in his hopes of getting the future Hall of Famer to choose the 76ers.

Last week, James, who was in New York City for Fanatics Fest, was having dinner at the private membership club, ZZ’s Club, where Bill and Hillary Clinton happened to be dining with Shapiro, according to Puck News.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts own the court during the first quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, Sunday, February 1, 2026. JASON SZENES/ NY POST

James went up to the former president and secretary of state before Shapiro, an avid sports fan, chimed in and made his pitch to get the 22-time All-Star to the 76ers, Puck reported.

Whether or not that moment last week made a difference is unclear, but James agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract with Philadelphia to make the 76ers one of the Eastern Conference’s most formidable teams.

Shortly after the news broke Friday morning, the Democratic head of Pennsylvania took to social media to celebrate and declare July 24 as LeBron James Day.

“LEBRON IS COMING TO PHILLY,” Shapiro wrote on X. “By the power vested in the me as the Governor of the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a die-hard Sixers fan… I hereby proclaim today to be LEBRON JAMES DAY. Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love, @KingJames.”

James, in his own thread on X, said this decision had nothing to do with money.

The deal with the 76ers — choosing them over rumored contenders, including the Heat and the Warriors — was all about putting him in the best position to win another NBA title.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks before President Donald Trump arrives at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., during the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. AP Photo/Matt Rourke

“I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship,” James wrote. “I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.”

The 76ers last won an NBA championship in 1983, so if James can get them over the hump, there could be another celebration in his honor in another 11 months.