(This post originally appeared on The Washington Post)
The Sixers are still in a rebuilding period, but a what a long way they’ve come. For the past few years, they’ve had some of the worst win-loss records in the NBA.
But now, thanks to upcoming stars like Joel Embid and Ben Simmons, the team looks to be playoff bound. There’s just one piece of the pie missing: a big name free agent. So hey, why not LeBron James?
There are growing rumors in town that LeBron may — I say may — be considering the Sixers as a team to go to when his contract with the Cavaliers expires after this season. With this enticing possibility out there, one business owner and Sixers fan decided to take matters into his own hands.
ESPN reports that travelers along Interstate 480 — a major roadway in Cleveland — are being shown three strategically placed new billboards, all designed to convince Mr. James to consider a move to Philadelphia. One says “#23” with a crown on a court surrounded by the numbers of other Sixers’ players. The second says “Complete the Process” (and if you don’t know what “The Process” is then you’re not a Philly fan). The last says simply: “#PhillyWantsLeBron.”
“We’re passionate about Philadelphia,” Asher Raphael, chief executive of Power Home Remodeling, a construction company based in Chester, Pa, told ESPN.
“We have an amazing city, it’s the best sports town and it’s an awesome place to live. We think the best athletes should want to play here.”
Powerful stuff, if not an expensive way to show the dedication you have for your team. But the money didn’t seem to matter to Raphael. He’s even getting a bunch of free PR too although he insists that wasn’t part of his plan.
“The billboard company said they considered what we were doing to be a political ad and wouldn’t sell it to us if we didn’t follow those rules,” Raphael said. “So they made us say, ‘Paid for By.’ “
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