The NBA hasn’t released its full schedule yet, but LeBron James has already put the Philadelphia 76ers back at the center of the league’s national spotlight. According to Front Office Sports, the Sixers are expected to receive the league’s maximum allotment of 34 nationally televised games.
After the Sixers made just 14 national appearances last season, that number has skyrocketed, marking one of the most dramatic jumps in national exposure in recent NBA history. The league reportedly held portions of its schedule until James made his decision, a reminder that even entering Year 24, he remains the NBA’s biggest programming asset.
The 76ers are expected to receive 34 national TV showcases this season—the most allowed under the NBA’s current rights deal.
LeBron James signing with the Sixers means NBA fans can expect plenty of Philly on their TVs.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) July 27, 2026
For Philadelphia, the increase goes beyond exposure. National TV games bring marquee matchups, holiday showcases and prime-time windows that keep a franchise at the center of the NBA conversation. The Sixers are expected to be featured prominently during opening week, on Christmas Day, and throughout the season as the league leans into the excitement surrounding James’ arrival.
The league had become increasingly cautious about giving the Sixers premium television windows. Joel Embiid’s injury history, specifically since this meniscus injury, and Paul George’s lack of availability, made Philadelphia a risky bet for broadcasters. LeBron changes that equation, as does replacing George with Jaylen Brown. Even if Embiid misses games, networks still have one of the league’s biggest attractions in Philadelphia.
The scheduling boost also reflects the NBA’s confidence in the Sixers as one of its flagship franchises entering the second year of the league’s new media rights agreement. Last season, only four teams reached the 34-game maximum: the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Philadelphia now joins that exclusive group.
Before playing a single game for Philadelphia, LeBron James has changed how the NBA views the franchise. The Sixers aren’t just expected to contend for a championship; they’re once again one of the league’s premier television attractions.
MORE: LeBron James chose Philadelphia to chase history, not comfort
Keywords
Philadelphia 76ers,
Sixers,
LeBron James,
NBA,
NBA Schedule,
Joel Embiid,
Tyrese Maxey,
Jaylen Brown,
National TV,
Front Office Sports