{
  "id": 12307594,
  "title": "How the NBA accidentally enabled former 76ers owner to land and fund LeBron James’ life in Philly",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/how-the-nba-accidentally-enabled-former-76ers-owner-to-land-and-fund",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T05:25:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nba-accidentally-enabled-former-76ers-052535836.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2022, Michael Rubin sold a 10% minority stake in Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment (HBSE) to concentrate on his sports apparel brand, Fanatics. This decision came after Fanatics became the official merchandise partner of the NBA, raising concerns over Rubin's ties to the 76ers. Rubin, however, stated that he learned a lot from his NBA experience and that it was time to move on.\n\nRubin expressed concerns about not being able to help the 76ers in a non-ownership capacity. However, league officials reassured him that he would be able to contribute more after he left the constraints of the NBA's collective bargaining agreement and anti-tampering laws.\n\nDuring this time, James invested in Fanatics in 2022, purchasing a minority stake in Mitchell & Ness, a subsidiary brand that focused on creating throwback sports apparel. This relationship strengthened when James signed a trading card deal with Fanatics in January 2024.\n\nDespite playing for the 76ers, James opted to reside in New York City and commute to practice via a private helicopter branded with Fanatics' logo. This arrangement was reportedly funded by Fanatics, as confirmed by a spokesperson for James. The 76ers likely benefited from this arrangement, as they managed to secure LeBron James' services.",
  "summary": "LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers is one of the biggest free agency successes in franchise history, but the NBA played a huge part in it. The 76ers managed to lure LeBron James to the franchise this summer after he left the Los Angeles Lakers at the end of his eight-year stint with the team.",
  "key_points": [
    "Michael Rubin sold 10% stake in HBSE in 2022 to focus on Fanatics.",
    "James invested in Fanatics in 2022, buying a minority stake in Mitchell & Ness.",
    "Fanatics funded James' Philadelphia life in 2024."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The NBA's rules change allowing former owner Michael Rubin to support LeBron James' life in Philly benefits both Rubin and James, while possibly giving the 76ers a competitive edge.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}