LeBron's 76ers Jersey Sales Top Shohei Ohtani's Dodgers Record for Biggest Debut Ever

It turns out fans are eager to get their hands on Lebron James' new Philadelphia 76ers jersey.

Fanatics announced Wednesday that James' No. 23 Sixers jersey is the best-selling jersey ever for any player in the first 48 hours after their announcement, surpassing the previous record set by Shohei Ohtani when he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2023:

"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.

"More LeBron 76ers merchandise was sold in the first 24 hours after his decision was announced than was sold in the first week after his announcement to join the Lakers in 2018. 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

James announced on July 24 he would be signing with the 76ers after spending the past eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Specifics of how many jerseys have been sold were not made available, but the first 72 hours after James' decision saw multiple Sixers' colorways with his No. 23 out of stock on Fanatics' website.

As of Tuesday, Robert Fenbers of Cleveland.com noted the jerseys were back in stock.

When Ohtani set the record for fastest-selling jersey, MLB noted he surpassed previous marks held by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Going into his 24th NBA season, James appears to be as popular as ever. He had the fifth-highest-selling jersey in the Association during the 2025-26 season.

The combination of switching teams and enthusiasm around the 76ers, who are one of the NBA's marquee franchises, going into next season clearly seems have sparked a historic level of interest in James merchandise.

Between signing James and previously acquiring Jaylen Brown in a trade, Sixers' optimism is at its highest level in a long time. It seems like everyone in the City of Brotherly Love will be wearing a No. 23 jersey at Xfinity Mobile Arena for the first home game of the 2026-27 season.