RIC FLAIR SWITCHES ALLEGIANCE FROM LAKERS TO 76ERS

Ric Flair, a WWE Hall of Famer, announced on social media that he has become a Philadelphia 76ers supporter, citing LeBron James' move to the franchise as a factor in his decision. Flair stated in a post on 24 July that the 76ers are "the home of one of my closest friends, Sir Charles Barkley", with whom he said he became acquainted when Barkley played for the team. He also referenced long-standing friendships with former 76ers player Allen Iverson and described James' arrival in Philadelphia as part of his reasoning for the change in loyalty.

Flair's support for the Lakers spanned decades, encompassing the eras of players including Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. He had previously been vocal in his backing of James whilst James played for the Lakers, bringing him out to the Crypto.com Arena crowd with his signature catchphrase. However, Flair's public statements about James shifted after the Lakers lost Game 1 of their second-round playoff series to the Oklahoma City Thunder, after which he directed criticism towards Luka Doncic.

The timing of Flair's public declaration of 76ers fandom coincides with James having signed with Philadelphia as a free agent following his departure from the Lakers. Flair accompanied his announcement with an image of three players in 76ers uniforms: Barkley wearing number 34, Iverson in number 3, and an artificially generated image of James in number 23, visually representing the connections he cited.