Basketball enthusiasts better prepare themselves because the Philadelphia 76ers will be dominating the airwaves soon, whether supporters or critics of the team.
After the 76ers inked a two-year, $8 million contract with none other than LeBron James, insiders report that Philadelphia is poised to fill the slate with the maximum number of nationally broadcast games allowed.
Last season, the 76ers graced the national stage 14 times, but this figure is set to skyrocket to 34 games come the 2026-27 season, more than doubling their previous exposure.
Under the NBA’s current massive $76 billion media rights deal spanning 11 years, each of the 30 teams in the league is guaranteed at least two televised matches per season on a national level.
Teams with standout stars often find themselves on TV more frequently, sometimes maxing out at 34 games per season, highlighting the allure of star power in securing airtime.
In 2025, one of those teams proved to be the eventual NBA champion Knicks, who play in the country’s biggest TV market. Behind them were James’ former team, the Lakers, Steph Curry and the Warriors and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s defending champion Thunder.
At the bottom of the barrel with the minimum two-game requirement sat the Nets, Raptors, Wizards, Jazz and Pelicans.
Additionally, the 76ers should be at the forefront of big events throughout the season including opening week and in the NBA’s five-game slate on Christmas Day.
At a CNBC press conference, league commissioner Adam Silver stated the NBA couldn’t nail down the upcoming schedule without knowing where James would land.
The 41-year-old made his long-awaited decision to head to Philly on Friday, calling it his “last decision” and one that he made because he wanted to “work” and “sacrifice” towards another championship with a fourth team.
Last year, the 76ers finished with a 45-37 record and were swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Now with James, the 76ers have elevated their threat level in the East, adding Jaylen Brown to a core of Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe.