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Meet the Flyers’ 23-man opening night roster from Noel Acciari to Trevor Zegras

Oh, training camp, we hardly knew ye.

After less than two weeks on the ice under the watchful gaze of coach Rick Tocchet and his staff, the Flyers will lift the lid on the season Wednesday (7 p.m., TNT, truTV) when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Aiming to build on last year’s run to the second round of the playoffs, much of the same personnel is back, with some in new roles, plus a few newcomers. Ten players on last year’s start-of-season roster are gone — reminder: Rasmus Ristolainen and Cam York started on injured reserve — with only Jett Luchanko, now in the American Hockey League, still with the organization.

The Flyers and their fans have craved a star in the mold of the Tkachuk bros. They look to have one in Porter Martone.

Here’s an in-depth look at the 23 players, in alphabetical order by group, who will start the 2026-27 season with the Orange and Black:

Centers (4)

Noah Cates, 27

2026 stats: 18 goals and 47 points in 82 games

One of several Flyers who had a career year but also dealt with injury, Cates posted 18 goals and 47 points in 82 regular-season games before missing the last two playoff games with a foot injury. Based on his training camp, he is back to form and ready to go, and it doesn’t hurt that, at five-on-five, Tocchet has reunited him with his longtime winger Tyson Foerster. Last season he earned Selke Trophy votes for the second time in his career, putting him in the conversation of the game’s top defensive forwards. Is this the year he breaks out?

Flyers center Noah Cates is coming off a career-best season. Can he raise his game another level in 2026-27?Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

Sean Couturier, 33 (Captain)

2026 stats: 12 goals and 36 points in 78 games

The Flyers captain showed the kind of leader he can be when he was dropped to the fourth line and flourished late in the season. Couturier became a physical force, skating with Luke Glendening — who he would rotate between center and wing with — and Garnet Hathaway. Both headed south, so while Couturier has new wingers — Noel Acciari will now be the guy he flips back and forth with and there’s likely to be a rotation on the left — his assignment remains the same: playing a tenacious, physical, and defensively sound game. And, like always, Couturier will be a key penalty killer, now in tandem with Acciari.

Christian Dvorak, 30

2026 stats: 18 goals and 51 points in 80 games

In his first year in Philly, Dvorak showed what kind of versatile cog he can be in Tocchet’s lineup. The Illinois native, who can play wing, centered the top line, chipped in on the power play, and was a force on the penalty kill. Last season he blew his career highs out of the water, racking up 33 assists, 51 points, a plus-11 rating, and playing an average of 18 minutes, 28 seconds a night. He tied his career high in goals (18), and the hope is he’ll finally crack the 20-goal mark.

Trevor Zegras, 25

2026 stats: 26 goals and 67 points in 81 games

The forward came to the Flyers excited to return to his natural position, but despite posting career highs across the board, it didn’t go exactly to plan. Although they interchanged during shifts, Zegras was lined up on Dvorak’s wing for most of the season, but by the end and into the playoffs, he got a chance down the middle. He played well there — yes, he acknowledges he needs to work on his faceoffs — and this season will get another chance to prove he can be that creative, high-energy center the Flyers think he can be after signing him to a four-year, $36.5 million contract extension in July.

Flyers center Trevor Zegras celebrates his game winning overtime goal over the Dallas Stars on Sunday, March 29, 2026 in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

Right wings (4)

Noel Acciari, 34 (Free-agent signing)

2026 stats: 13 goals and 25 points in 67 games (with PIT)

There’s an adage: “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.” A free-agent signee, Acciari played last season for the Pittsburgh Penguins, whom the Flyers ousted from the Stanley Cup playoffs. But Acciari was actually beating the Flyers in that series; he had a 61% winning percentage in the faceoff circle and was a menace to deal with. Now he’s across the state filling a hole left when Hathaway was traded to the Florida Panthers. Acciari slots into his spot, working with Couturier, and the lefty Couturier and the righty Acciari will flip-flop between wing and center depending on the faceoff situation.

Matvei Michkov symbolizes the steps forward the Flyers can take in 2026-27

Travis Konecny, 29 (Alternate captain)

2026 stats: 27 goals and 68 points in 77 games

The winger has led the Flyers in scoring for six of the past seven seasons and doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon. He’s spent time in training camp with Cates and Foerster — Tocchet said the trio could be the best third line in the NHL — and with Dvorak and Alex Bump. Regardless of where he is slotted, he’ll be relied on to put the puck in the net and set up his teammates, whether at five-on-five, on the penalty kill, or on the power play.

Porter Martone, 19 (Rookie)

2026 stats: 4 goals and 10 points in 9 games

The teenager hit the ground running when he turned pro in March, compiling six goals and 15 points in 19 games, including the playoffs. Martone was a sparkplug with his offense, defensive smarts, and ability to get under every opponent’s skin. The universal expectation is that he will only get better this season and, no pressure, but he’s the odds-on favorite to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie.

Two components of the youth movement, Porter Martone (right) and Matvei Michkov are projected to have big seasons for the Flyers.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

Matvei Michkov, 21

2026 stats: 20 goals and 51 points in 81 games

The Russian winger potted 20 goals and 51 points last season, a drop-off from his impressive rookie season (26 goals, 63 points). But what a difference a summer makes. A trimmer and more motivated Michkov came to camp ready to take the NHL by storm. He worked on getting his body in shape for the grueling 84-game schedule — reminder: two more games this season — and his skating. Already known for his high hockey IQ and creative vision, he has shown a stronger stride, better speed, and increased strength with his puck protection. Much to Tocchet’s delight, Michkov looks more focused on driving to the net.

Left wings (6)

Alex Bump, 22 (Rookie)

2026 stats: 5 goals and 9 points in 17 games

After a disappointing camp last season that led to him being sent down to Lehigh Valley, Bump was called up following the trade deadline to show what he learned in the minors. Known for his shot and goal scoring, the Minnesotan displayed an upgraded all-around game and potted seven goals and four assists in 23 contests (including playoffs). He had a better camp this season and will now get every opportunity to build on an already strong start to his NHL career.

Tyson Foerster is ready to roll after last year’s injury setback: He ‘could score 40 goals in this league’

Tyson Foerster, 24

2026 stats: 13 goals and 17 points in 29 games

Foerster dealt with an elbow injury last summer before suffering what everyone thought was a season-ending upper-body injury in December. Instead, the Canadian rehabbed hard, returning in April as the Flyers were grinding toward a playoff spot. Now fully healthy, the sharpshooter, who is also one of the Flyers’ best defensive forwards, is poised for a breakout season. The question is, can he finally reach the 30-goal milestone?

Flyers winger Tyson Foerster’s promising start to the 2025-26 season was derailed by an upper-body injury that cost him 49 games.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

Nikita Grebenkin, 23

2026 stats: 4 goals and 14 points in 55 games

A feisty, physical winger who loves to irritate the opposition and stand up for his teammates, Grebenkin’s status is a little up in the air. He got banged up in the Flyers’ third preseason game, but according to Tocchet, it is unrelated to the upper-body injury he suffered in March that kept him on the shelf the rest of the season. A big personality who just wrapped up his first full NHL season, the Flyers would certainly love to get his edgy game back into the lineup soon.

Carl Grundström, 28

2026 stats: 9 goals and 13 points in 47 games

Acquired in exchange for Ryan Ellis’ contract last October, the Swede carved out a regular NHL role in December. He came out strong, posting seven goals and eight points in his first 12 games with the Flyers and showed the value to his game: speed, some grit, reliability, and versatility.

Owen Tippett, 27

2026 stats: 28 goals and 51 points in 81 games

Things started to really click for the Canadian in the second half of the season as he found the right balance between offense and physicality. Throwing monster hits against the Penguins, his momentum got derailed due to an internal bleeding issue and an unrelated sports hernia that kept him out of the second round of the playoffs. Fully healthy and ready to go again, the speedster is focused on consistently being the power forward he unearthed last season.

Garrett Wilson, 35

2026 stats: 0 goals and 0 points in 3 games

In a slightly surprising move, the Flyers inked Wilson to a one-year, two-way deal on Sunday. Why was it surprising? The Phantoms captain was already under an AHL deal. Why was it not surprising? He had a strong camp, is a valued mentor to younger players — which this roster is filled with — and he showed he can fill the enforcer role opened up by the trade of Nic Deslauriers last season.

Defensemen (7)

Simon Benoit, 28 (Trade acquisition)

2026 stats: 0 goals and 6 points in 73 games (with TOR)

Acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs with Joseph Woll, Benoit is a depth defenseman who should fill the role left open by Noah Juulsen’s departure. He didn’t have the best analytics last year, but he has certainly passed the eye test in the preseason — and it doesn’t hurt that the rugged blueliner dropped the gloves against the Boston Bruins.

Jamie Drysdale, 24

2026 stats: 8 goals and 32 points in 78 games

What a year it was for the blueliner. Long known for his offensive game, Drysdale not only set a career high in goals (eight) and tied his career high in points (32), but he also dramatically elevated his defensive game. One of the largest turnarounds year-over-year on the team — he went from minus-32 to minus-3 — he teamed up with his good buddy Cam York and, while it is only the preseason, according to Natural Stat Trick, the duo is trending upward from last season in several analytical categories, posting puck possession numbers above 50%. The Flyers believe Drysdale has yet another level to reach and rewarded him with a $26 million contract extension this summer.

David Jiříček, 22

2026 stats: 0 goals and 0 points in 26 games (with MIN and PHI)

The Flyers love projects and the Czech defender is proving to be that. There is no denying he has a strong offensive tools, but his defensive play leaves a lot to be desired. On Saturday, Flyers general manager Danny Brière called Jiříček’s preseason “OK.” Jiříček was then on the ice for two goals against, including one where he turned the puck over to the goal scorer. Less than 24 hours later, the guy praised for his shot didn’t take power-play reps in practice, and his status for Game 1 — reminder: he is no longer waiver-exempt if they send him down — is less concrete. Take note: a defenseman with a strong offensive foundation but questions defensively sounds awfully familiar, and Drysdale is now relied on in big defensive moments. The hope is the Flyers can build up Jiříček’s game at that end of the ice too.

‘It’s up to me. Everyone is watching’: Can former lottery pick David Jiříček win a job on the Flyers’ blue line?

Rasmus Ristolainen, 31

2026 stats: 1 goal and 14 points in 44 games

This season marks the defenseman’s sixth season in Philly — final year of his contract! — but just the second time he will suit up on opening night. Finally, the Big Finn is healthy and raring to go after dealing with countless injuries over the past few years. Getting a taste of the playoffs for the first time in his 13-year career this past spring, Ristolainen showed why his game is perfect for the game’s biggest stage. The only question, and the one heard over and over again, is: how much longer will he be wearing orange and black?

Travis Sanheim, 30 (Alternate captain)

2026 stats: 11 goals and 37 points in 81 games

Like fine wine, Sanheim only keeps getting better with age. This past season, he posted career highs in goals (11), shooting percentage (11.6%), and plus-minus (plus-12), marking his first positive plus-minus rating since 2019-20. Like then, the Flyers made the playoffs, and the 6-foot-4, 222-pound blueliner showed off impressive footwork and confidence with two goals in the opening round. Paired with Ristolainen, the top duo will shoulder heavy minutes and seem to shine best when counted on not only to shut down the opposition but to set the tone.

Flyers blueliner Travis Sanheim has quietly elevated himself into one of the league’s best defensemen.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

Nick Seeler, 33

2026 stats: 4 goals and 10 points in 80 games

It’ll be interesting to see how Seeler is deployed this season. A steady, effective hand on the third pairing, there is a good chance he will be asked to skate with Jiříček, who, as mentioned, needs to build up his defensive acumen. But this is a familiar spot for Seeler, who was once paired with Drysdale. A tough, rugged defensive defenseman who can bang and drop the gloves, the Minnesotan is also sneakily skilled at the other end of the ice.

Cam York, 24

2026 stats: 4 goals and 26 points in 74 games

At this juncture last season, we mentioned a lightness to York’s game. This season, add in an uptick in confidence too. After a career-high in assists (22), his first positive plus-minus in the NHL (plus-5), and averaging 22:32 of ice time, York is now focused on upping his offensive production. “I want to have five shots a game, if possible,” he recently told The Inquirer. Tocchet loves hearing that and can see how much time the Californian spent in the offseason to strengthen his footwork and hands. York is “in the mix” for the power play, which should not only boost his confidence even more but also help him reach that lofty shot total.

Goaltenders (2)

Dan Vladař, 29

2026 stats: 29-14-7 record, .906 save percentage, and 2.42 goals-against average in 52 games

The Czechia native came to Philly to prove that he’s not just a backup, but a solid No. 1 goalie. He did that and more. The Flyers’ MVP finished third in goals-against average (2.42), and tied for eighth in save percentage (.906) and wins (29), among NHL goalies who played at least 40 games. And he did it without posting a shutout until the playoffs, where he upped his game with a 2.18 GAA and .922 save percentage despite suffering an injury in the first round. There were some nervous folks in town when Vladař left his first, and only, preseason start with an upper-body injury, but he looks back on track, and expectations are that he’ll be good to go on Wednesday.

Joseph Woll, 28 (Trade acquisition)

2026 stats: 15-16-7 record, .899 save percentage, and 3.34 goals-against average in 39 games (with TOR)

If Vladař cannot tend the twine, the Flyers will look to Woll, who is considered an upgrade at the backup spot after years of questionable goaltending. His numbers were not great last season, but neither was the rest of the team, as the Maple Leafs ended up picking first in June’s draft. The Missourian boasts talent, a .906 career save percentage, and has played on hockey’s biggest and most pressurized stage in Toronto. He’ll take some of the load off Vladař to keep him healthy as the Flyers hope to, like Toronto, end a longstanding Stanley Cup drought.

The Flyers acquired Joseph Woll from Toronto in June to provide a much-needed upgrade to the backup goalie position.
Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

Injured reserve (1)

Denver Barkey, 21

2026 stats: 5 goals and 17 points in 43 games

The forward, who was primed to get time at center after a strong postseason, suffered a lower-body injury in the Flyers’ first preseason game. He’s skated once by himself and once with a group since the injury but left the latter session early. Listed as day-to-day, the Flyers would love to have him back in the lineup quickly due to his high motor and hockey IQ.

Injured non-roster (1)

Helge Grans, 24 (Rookie)

2026 stats: 0 goals and 1 assist in 6 games

The defenseman was injured in the Flyers’ preseason game on Thursday. Although he was not projected to play in the NHL to start the year, he cannot be sent down to the AHL just yet due to his injury status. Unlike Barkey, who is on regular injured reserve, he is designated as an injured non-roster. A major difference between IR and an injured non-roster is that a player on injured reserve is out for a mandatory seven days, and an injured non-roster can be activated and return to play as soon as they are ready to go.

September 28, 2026
What happens when kids who witness gun violence go to school? This Philly program aims to help.

In the past, principal Shauneille Taylor had no way of knowing when one of the children at Edward Gideon Elementary School had witnessed a shooting, or an incidence of domestic violence, or seen a parent arrested.

The child might walk into the North Philadelphia school the next day and act aggressively, or appear withdrawn, or shut down, and adults would wonder why — sometimes, they might even assign disciplinary consequences for acting out.

Philly is getting $1 million to train 400 teachers, police officers to help students who experience trauma

That changed with an initiative piloted at Gideon and 14 other city schools, now going districtwide, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. announced Monday.

The “Handle With Care” program allows officers to make referrals to schools attended by child witnesses to crimes. Schools are then alerted that one of their children may need extra attention, with staff trained in trauma-informed practices and poised to offer more support.

“Having that heads up has made a profound difference for our school,” Taylor said at a news conference in a Gideon hallway Monday.

The program is the brainchild of Bethel, a former district safety chief and longtime city officer, who dreamed for years about figuring out a way to better care for kids who witnessed traumatic events.

In 2024, the district used a $1 million federal grant to launch a “Handle With Care” pilot in 15 schools in North Philadelphia. That money paid for training and a dedicated staffer.

A $200,000 state grant will fund the staffer’s work going forward, officials said.

Officials “didn’t want to assume that everyone understands trauma, how to identify the warning signs, and how to provide that support,” Bethel said. “So we had the opportunity to provide training to Philadelphia police officers and school-based staff, not only on how to understand trauma, but on how to provide meaningful support. Through this pilot, we were able to provide that support to more than 70 students who may otherwise have walked into school carrying the weight of what they experienced without anyone knowing that they just needed a little extra care.”

It’s certainly a shift from years ago, Bethel said, when “the word trauma wasn’t really part of our vocabulary in policing or frankly, much of the conversations around children and their experiences.”

“But we understand today more than we do ever what young people experience and how those experiences affect their behavior, their ability to learn, their relationships, and their development. Our young people are exposed to significant levels of trauma,” he said.

When children witness traumatic events, officers have the ability to trigger Handle With Care alerts. A point person at the child’s school will then be alerted — not with the details of the incident, just that this student needs extra support because of an event.

It “gives the school an opportunity to intervene … rather than waiting until a child’s trauma manifests its way into a disciplinary action or academic, emotional problems,” Bethel said. “Early recognition creates an opportunity for early intervention.”

September 28, 2026
Luis Arraez improving but not on Phillies’ wild-card roster; Otto Kemp takes his place

ATLANTA — While celebrating with his team in the clubhouse postgame on Sunday, Luis Arraez was wearing a walking boot, protected by a plastic bag wrapped around it.

The Phillies second baseman continues to get positive updates on his sprained left ankle, according to interim manager Don Mattingly, but not positive enough to be included on the wild-card roster. The full list, which is expected be released ahead of Tuesday’s Game 1, will include Otto Kemp in Arraez’s place.

“We still get improvement every day,” Mattingly said of Arraez. “He was going to try to hit [Monday] and wasn’t able to do it, so we kind of crossed that bridge today.”

Jesús Luzardo will start Game 1 for Phillies; Andrew Painter could follow out of bullpen

Kemp struggled with limited major league playing time early this year and has been with triple-A Lehigh Valley since getting optioned on May 28. In 108 games with the IronPigs this year, Kemp had a .227 batting average and .736 OPS.

The Phillies will also continue to carry three catchers — J.T. Realmuto, Garrett Stubbs, and Rafael Marchán — on the postseason roster, like they have for most of the year. Mattingly said due to a slew of injuries to the Phillies’ triple-A depth, there weren’t any other options for another position player on the roster.

As the IronPigs’ season wound down two weeks ago, they were forced to put pitcher Mitchell Neunborn at second base after running out of players.

Phillies reliever Jonathan Bowlan, who has not appeared in a game since suffering a groin strain on Sept. 17, will be on the wild-card roster.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

“They’ve had a lot of health issues down below. That’s kind of where it’s taken us,” Mattingly said. “But actually the third catcher is not terrible for us, because [Stubbs] is pretty versatile. We use him as a pinch runner. We use him at first. We can play him at third. We can play him in the outfield. So he is a guy that gives us a lot of versatility, and not a true, true base stealer but a guy that you really trust on the bases, that can get a bag if you don’t pay attention.”

Right-handed reliever Jonathan Bowlan will also be on the Phillies’ wild-card roster. Bowlan has not appeared in a game since suffering a groin strain on Sept. 17. He was also available on Sunday, but Mattingly opted against using him, concerned that the wet, slippery mound could lead to Bowlan reinjuring himself.

Braves ace Chris Sale was 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA in four starts against the Phillies this season.Erik S. Lesser

Familiar foe

The Phillies will have a tough task on Tuesday with left-hander Chris Sale taking the mound for Atlanta. The left-hander is amid a career renaissance at 37 years old, and even figures to once again be a Cy Young Award finalist with a 2.16 ERA. He started four times against the Phillies this year, and the Phillies lost all four games.

The Phillies have a .167 batting average against Sale this season. For their fifth meeting of the year, they will also be without Arraez, who has a .318 career average against the veteran lefty.

But even for the hitters who have historically struggled against Sale’s velocity and unique arm slot, there’s some advantage to facing a pitcher so many times. The more looks one gets at Sale’s four-seam and slider, the easier they can be to pick up.

‘That’s why they gave us these contracts’: Wheeler, Harper, other Phillies millionaires (finally) produce

“I think the more you see a pitcher it’s always beneficial, but he’s so good, he’s probably going to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer,” said Trea Turner, who is 7-for-25 in his career against Sale. “The year he’s had has been unbelievable. He’s had another great season, and he’s one of those guys that’s always going to be there and give you a hard time.

“We know it’s not going to be easy. We’re looking forward to it. He seems like a really good competitor. I think we’ve got a lot of those in our clubhouse as well. Just going to battle and find a way to beat them.”

The familiarity extends both ways, though. Just as Realmuto and the Phillies pitching staff will be trying to find ways to give Braves hitters different looks, Atlanta catcher Drake Baldwin and Sale will do the same on Tuesday.

Video: Phillies celebrate clinching a fifth-consecutive postseason berth

“Their hitters have a lot of at-bats off of our arms, as do we against their guys,” Realmuto said. “It feels like there’s a little more of the cat-and-mouse game of we can’t do the same things we’ve done all season. Even if they’ve worked, there’s times you’ve got to go away from things.

“Obviously I’m not going to dive too much into that, but there’s definitely more of a cat-and-mouse game when you’ve played teams this much, and had this many at-bats against guys.”

The Phillies are forced to get creative with their pitching vs. the Braves. Will it work again?

Extra bases

Jesús Luzardo (14-5, 2.86 ERA) is scheduled to start Tuesday’s Game 1 opposite Sale (14-9, 2.16).

September 28, 2026
Philly DEI panel endorses Parker’s contracting overhaul as Black business owners warn of consequences

Nearly a year after Mayor Cherelle L. Parker announced that Philadelphia would move away from using its long-held diversity goals in awarding public contracts, a City Council committee on Monday formally recommended that the city codify the change.

However, several corporate leaders who advised the special committee’s work testified during a hearing that the shift away from race- and gender-conscious contracting would set the city back.

Craig T. Williams, founder of the construction firm Pride Enterprises, said the city’s move to provide contracting advantages to businesses certified as “small and local” — instead of to businesses owned by women, minorities, and people who are disabled — will make it harder for Black-owned firms like his to grow.

“While the new terminology is intended to retain support for diverse businesses, it also removes the intentional mechanisms that once created predictable access for them,” Williams said. “The shift in terminology will likely result in an increase in opportunities for non-diverse firms, widening the disparity gap.”

And Michael Brown, CEO of The 360 Group, a consulting firm, said “minority businesses across Philadelphia are witnessing a catastrophic erosion of margins, pushing foundational enterprises to the brinks of collapse.”

He cited data showing that the state government awards only a small portion of its contracts to Black- and Hispanic-owned businesses.

“Philadelphia is slowly sleepwalking down the same exact destructive path,” he said.

Internal documents shed light on Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s decision to end Philadelphia’s racial diversity goals in contracting

Council’s Special Committee on City and Private Sector Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies, which is led by business community leaders, was convened in 2024 by Council President Kenyatta Johnson. The group was charged with drafting recommendations to strengthen the city’s DEI policies and address barriers faced by women, people of color, and people with disabilities who own businesses.

In the midst of the committee’s work, Parker’s administration last year quietly eliminated the city’s goal of awarding 35% of its government contracts to those businesses.

The city also stopped assigning participation “ranges” to publicly funded projects, meaning contractors are no longer given benchmarks for the amount of dollars that should go to subcontractors and suppliers owned by people of color, women, and people who are disabled.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker speaks at Vare-Washington Elementary School in Philadelphia, on July 14.Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

The change came amid a broader dismantling of affirmative action-style programs at the federal level led by President Donald Trump’s administration. Parker said a new national legal precedent made the city’s practices vulnerable to court challenges, so the administration will now aim to give preference to businesses that are certified as small and local.

Mayor Cherelle Parker defends ending racial diversity goals for Philly contracts: ‘Fighting the fight the way I know best’

On Monday, Council’s committee agreed. Its report recommends the city move to a more legally defensible, race-neutral framework like the one Parker’s administration is already building. The committee also recommended that the city adopt more aggressive preferences to give those businesses clear advantages when they’re bidding for city dollars.

Still, members of the committee said Monday that they have concerns about implementation.

Michelle Flamer, a former longtime attorney for the city, said she is worried that the city will stop collecting demographic data on businesses that bid for contracts.

“We’re in a time period in this country of great distress, of really unbridled racist behavior, but this will not last forever, and we have to continue to collect this data so we will be prepared for a new day,” she said. “But if we don’t have it, we won’t be able to hold anyone accountable.”

And Harold T. Epps, the city’s former commerce director who co-chaired the committee, said he’s concerned that providing advantages to small businesses — which are defined as those which bring in less than $47 million over a three-year period — effectively puts a cap on how a business can grow.

“It seems the city has fallen into the same old trap of predetermining how large a business that has any elements of diversity can be,” he said.

Nadir Jones, the director of the city’s Office of Business Impact and Economic Advancement, said the Parker administration is exploring implementing a “middle market” program for companies that “graduate” out of the small-business classification.

But, Jones said, “we’re not there yet.”

September 28, 2026
Contradicting Trump, Pope Leo says artificial intelligence safety concerns not ‘fake news’

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — Pope Leo XIV said Monday that concerns about artificial intelligence going rogue are not “fake news” and should be taken seriously, insisting that safety issues raised by AI experts should be discussed and acted on.

Leo, who dedicated his first encyclical to AI and protecting humanity in its wake, was asked during a news conference about what the United States and China especially should be doing to prevent AI from posing catastrophic risks to humanity. President Donald Trump has called concerns about AI going rogue a “hoax.”

“This is a problem that I think we need to sit down and talk about,” the American pope told reporters while returning home from France. “We can’t just sit back and pretend nothing is going to happen.”

Trump has been a champion of AI, often warning that the United States must remain ahead of China in the technological arms race. He has said efforts to limit the technology were part of a “conspiracy” by his political opponents.

Several AI giants, including Anthropic, have called for a slowdown in development to give safety measures time to catch up to the fast-moving technology. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, for example, has warned that within six to 12 months AI could be capable of leading a swarm of agents that could take over the entire internet.

Trump said on Sunday he planned to have a late dinner with Amodei, but he had not yet commented on the meeting.

“If someone were to ask me ‘Am I in panic mode?’ No I’m not. I sleep at night,” Leo said. “I do think that the concerns raised by many of the experts, specialists in AI should be taken seriously.”

“I don’t think that that is ‘fake news’ as some have said, to try and cause whether financial or other some other kind of benefit,” Leo said.

The pope, who called for robust regulation of AI and a slowdown of the technology in his encyclical Magnificent Humanity, is up to speed on developments in the field.

Despite being at the end of a grueling four-day trip to France, Leo noted a news report Monday afternoon about Nvidia introducing guardrails into AI. He also noted that the company has previously resisted outside regulation of AI development.

Leo had identified AI as one of the biggest challenges to humanity within days of his election and took the unusual step of personally launching his own encyclical alongside Anthropic’s co-founder Christopher Olah at a Vatican event in May. The initiative was part of the Vatican’s effort to engage Silicon Valley about the human costs of AI.

“We need to continue to invite political leaders, leaders of AI, social organizations, associations to come together and look at what is happening already and what could be down the road,” he said Monday.

“To simply say ‘Oh it’s not going to happen’ and close our eyes to it I think is probably not the most responsible way to go about that,” he added.

With his comments Monday about the legitimacy of safety concerns and AI development, Leo has confirmed another area of disagreement with Trump. The two had a back-and-forth in April over Leo’s opposition to the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran and Leo has also criticized the Trump administration’s migration crackdown.

Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping last week in Washington and while Xi said that it was important to ensure AI is “always under human control,” Trump focused more on trying to rebrand it as “superintelligence” and dismissed calls for regulation. However, the two leaders agreed to explore a new “notification mechanism” for AI incidents affecting national security.

AI has become a major election-year issue in the U.S. as some of the country’s largest companies rush to build a national network of data centers while Americans from both parties increasingly raise alarms about the impact on farmland, water supplies, and electricity bills.

Worries about AI are continuing to grow inside and outside the industry and reports continue to emerge about increasingly powerful systems that solve problems beyond human capacity but could also go rogue and carry out other, more harmful tasks.

The worries have grown so loud that the CEO of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, said in an interview with Fortune that his company would wait until next year to start selling its stock to investors on Wall Street as it focuses on safety.

Leo noted that ever since he published his encyclical in May, the Vatican has received comments from people interested in being part of a broader conversation about AI. A Vatican commission is working to promote dialogue, study and investigation “to find ways to make sure that AI does not get to a point of destroying humanity or removing humanity from the conversation,” he said.

Leo said he was “relatively optimistic” that solutions could be found.

“I think there are enough people seriously interested in that and willing to look at that outside of the questions once again of power, who gets there first,” he said.

September 28, 2026
LeBron James stays cagey and lauding Tyrese Maxey’s work on the phones: Five takeaways from Sixers media day

The long wait to see LeBron James in a Sixers jersey ended. Joel Embiid got back to his Troll Embiid roots. And Tyrese Maxey’s role in the Sixers’ offseason became even more amplified.

Here are five takeaways from Monday’s media day.

LeBron doesn’t commit to a ‘final decision’

James signed a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option to join the Sixers in July. And when he described his move to the Sixers in his initial announcement, James called it his “final decision.” But when asked if this would indeed be his final contract, James said: “We’ll see what happens.”

James acknowledged that he’s entering his 24th season and said he needs to give himself grace.

Video: LeBron James is focused on ‘living in the moment’ with the Sixers

“Honestly, I’m just looking at it, every single day, on how I can be the best version of myself for this franchise while I’m here,” he said. “I don’t want to speak into the future right now. I would be doing a disservice to myself on just living in the moment, especially knowing that I am where I am in my career.”

LeBron James’ goal in Philly is clear: ‘I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round’

Embiid is still trolling

Embiid followed James on media day, and their handling of the dais couldn’t have been more different. James’ first public address was fairly serious, with the discussion centering on his legacy, his deep relationship with Maxey, and where he sees himself in the future.

Embiid was similarly asked serious questions. He handled them differently. At one point, he paused before flashing a smile and blurted, “I’m trying to figure out if I want to troll or not.”

When he wasn’t having a little fun and pretending that he didn’t help recruit James, Embiid was honest about his health and how refreshing it was to finally have a surgery-free offseason.

Video: LeBron James on how much Tyrese Maxey played a factor in his decision to choose Philly

Maxey’s role in landing LeBron can’t be overstated

Maxey’s recruitment of James started years ago.

Maxey spent time in the gym with James before his rookie season and admitted that he shot a text to James a few years ago even though it was clear the future NBA Hall of Famer was set to return to the Lakers in free agency. Maxey joked that he knew it was a long shot but still asked James if he was interested in “coming back to the Northeast.”

Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey receive information from the photographer during media day.Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

Those moments paid off this summer. When the Sixers traded for Jaylen Brown and James made it clear he wouldn’t return to Los Angeles, things became more serious. Those conversations took a different shape and happened more often, according to James, who said he didn’t have just one conversation about Philly with Maxey.

James was clear that his relationship with Maxey played a pivotal role in his decision to join the Sixers. So did the presence of Brown and conversations with Joel Embiid, a former Team USA teammate of James who joked at media day that they didn’t speak this summer.

Yes, the Iverson-era black Sixers jerseys are back. Here’s what else LeBron James and Co. will be wearing.

“Our relationship, when I broke a lot of the teams and franchises down I could possibly play for, he was one of the main deciding factors.”

Maxey’s role in adding James was lauded all summer. Yet he was still surprised it happened.

Video: LeBron James on Philly sports fans: ‘They know ball’

“I see him in the summertime every year,” Maxey said, “but to see him here in Camden, New Jersey, in the facility with a Sixers jersey on, it’s a cool experience.”

After hearing James speak, Maxey’s part in making that happen can’t be overstated.

Sixers stressing camaraderie

The Sixers are bringing together a lot of new players, with James, Brown, Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope all joining the franchise this summer. Unsurprisingly, it was common for players to mention off-court camaraderie and the importance of team building.

James, Brown and KCP, who have all won NBA titles, spoke about the issue at length. And while Maxey hasn’t won the big one yet, he played a particularly outsized role in gathering teammates even before the season started. He recruited James, worked out with Simons in Texas, spent time with VJ Edgecombe, among other activities this summer.

Jaylen Brown adjusting in ‘phases’ to his new home with the Sixers

VJ won’t be asked to ‘sacrifice’

The Sixers have referred to their starting lineup as the Big Five, yet the common refrain has been that second-year star Edgecombe will need to sacrifice.

Several Sixers players dispelled that notion on Monday, starting with James. He asked why Edgecombe would need to sacrifice and recognized that the word can carry a negative connotation.

VJ Edgecombe during a photo shoot at Sixers media day at the Penn Medicine Training Complex in Camden on Monday.Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

Maxey said similarly that the Sixers might need different things from Edgecombe on different nights, but admitted that will apply to several players.

“I’ve been hearing that things are going to change for him,” James said. “I don’t understand why things would change for him … I don’t think his role should change.

“With the group of guys we have, no one mentioned that everyone’s role will probably be different. And that’s for the greater good, if we want to accomplish something that’s really, really important. If we say that we want to do something special, there will be a collective sacrifice.”

September 28, 2026
Philadelphia shouldn’t give up on the Academy of Natural Sciences’ historic museum | Editorial

The Academy of Natural Sciences opened in 1828 when John Quincy Adams was president.

It survived the Civil War, the Great Depression, two world wars, Philadelphia’s near bankruptcy, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

So the decision by the leadership of the Academy and Drexel University to close the oldest natural history museum in the Americas on short notice is beyond disappointing.

This is one of the city’s cultural crown jewels, housing more than 19 million scientific specimens, including fossils, plants, and animals, supporting global research on biodiversity and environmental science.

Generations of grade school students in the Philadelphia area experience their first formative contact with science and history during field trips that have launched untold careers in pathbreaking fields.

To be sure, the museum has faced declining attendance and budgetary strain since the pandemic and is in need of a refresh. But its finances do not appear to be dire. Its 2025 tax filings show $25.8 million in revenue and $23.8 million in expenses.

The Art of the Steal | Editorial

The bigger problem is that the 150-year-old building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway faces roughly $150 million in deferred maintenance costs, according to people familiar with the matter.

While that may seem daunting, it is not insurmountable. Twenty years ago, city leaders raised $68 million in 45 days to keep Thomas Eakins’ iconic painting, “The Gross Clinic,” from being sold to an ownership group made up of the National Gallery of Art in Washington and an Arkansas museum.

The William Penn Foundation attempted its own Hail Mary pass to the Academy late last week when it offered to underwrite the costs to operate the museum for at least a year. That seems like some welcome breathing room until a long-term solution is found.

People came out to support and rally outside the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University on Sept. 8.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

But Drexel said in a statement that it had not received a formal proposal from the foundation. At the very least, it seems like a generous offer that warrants further discussion.

Instead, the museum opted to close the doors to the public on Sunday.

David L. Cohen, the former Comcast executive and ambassador, has been designated by Gov. Josh Shapiro and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker to serve as their agent to find a solution to keep the Academy going.

President Trump tried to stop the press and ended up muzzling himself | Editorial

In an interview with the Editorial Board, Cohen said solutions have been found to preserve the research and education operations, but an agreement on a plan for the museum had yet to be reached.

Cohen is a prolific fundraiser who once served as former Mayor Ed Rendell’s right-hand man through the city’s near bankruptcy in the 1990s. He has the gravitas and clout to strike a grand bargain.

But it is disappointing to hear that a working proposal already calls for relocating the museum and selling the building. The city has spent decades transforming the Benjamin Franklin Parkway into the museum mile, including the addition of the Calder and Barnes Museums. Moving the natural history museum — and its millions of artifacts — should be the last option, not the first.

Philadelphia has stepped up at other times of civic crisis.

As governor, Rendell led a controversial effort — that included raising tens of millions of dollars mainly from foundations, along with state funding — to bring the Barnes Museum to Center City.

Surely, Philadelphia’s business, political, and nonprofit leaders can come together to find a solution to keep the Academy of Natural Sciences in its iconic location for generations to come.

September 28, 2026
Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. is running for reelection. Some Democrats are questioning whether he should.

City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. held a campaign fundraiser featuring Mayor Cherelle L. Parker at the Cobbs Creek Golf Course on Thursday night, a show of strength as he gears up to seek a sixth term in next year’s municipal election.

But that hasn’t stopped a whisper campaign among Philly’s political class about whether he’ll actually appear on the Democratic primary ballot next spring, with as many as four potential candidates said to be eyeing his seat representing parts of West and Northwest Philadelphia.

People close to Jones have recently encouraged him to reconsider seeking a new term and to clear the way for State Rep. Morgan Cephas to run to represent Council’s 4th District, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

Other possible candidates include criminal justice reform advocate Celeste Trusty, ex-Service Employees International Union staffer Leigh Owens, and developer Ryan Spak.

The intrigue over Jones’ political future follows an Inquirer report in June that Jones and his wife, City Representative Jazelle Jones, who is a top official in the Parker administration, stand to reap up to $752,000 in payouts from the controversial Deferred Retirement Option Plan, or DROP.

Jones, who makes $165,000 per year, told The Inquirer in June that he may need the extra money from DROP to pay for medical bills in retirement because he is suffering from glaucoma, an incurable disease that Jones said has already caused him to lose 40% of his vision.

This Philly City Hall power couple stands to reap up to $750K by briefly retiring — then continuing to work for the city

Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. stands in for former Council President Darrell Clarke after he stepped away briefly during a Council meeting on Sept. 14, 2023.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

State Sen. Vincent Hughes, a West Philadelphia Democrat who said he has been friends with Jones for 44 years, said he will support Jones no matter what he decides, adding that “no election is automatic.” But Hughes also said he has encouraged Jones to consider his health when deciding how to proceed.

“I think the councilman has earned the opportunity to try to make an accurate determination as to what he wants to do for his future,” Hughes said in an interview Monday. “I have encouraged him to think about the personal side of this, the physical challenges.”

Hughes said he would like to see Cephas eventually succeed Jones in the 4th District. But if Jones decides that he can serve another term, Hughes said he will back his reelection.

“He’s been serving with this challenge, and he’s been serving well,” Hughes said.

Jones said Thursday that he intends to run for reelection and serve a full term.

ScreenshotSean Walsh

DROP allows city workers to “double-dip” by accumulating four years of pension payments, which is usually paid out in a lump sum upon their retirement, while they are still working and receiving their regular paychecks.

The Joneses’ enrollment in DROP is legal, but his use of the program resurrects a scandal from the early 2010s that ended the political careers of several prominent figures in City Hall.

Elected officials, who were not initially envisioned as being eligible for the program, took advantage of it by briefly retiring at the end of their terms, collecting lucrative DROP payouts, and then getting rehired at the beginning of their new terms.

As a junior Council member, Jones in 2010 voted for a bill banning future elected officials from enrolling in DROP. But the bill “grandfathered” in current elected officials at the time, he said, and Jones is now poised to become the first lawmaker to use the program in years.

Jones enrolled in DROP in August 2024, meaning his mandatory retirement date would be in August 2028, during the first year of the next Council term. He would be eligible to collect a $432,000 payout then, and upon retirement he will begin collecting his regular city pension payments.

But Jones in June said he plans to retire just before the start of the next Council term in January 2028, take a slightly reduced DROP payout, and then serve his entire next four-year term, if he is reelected. He has held the seat since 2008.

The person familiar with the discussions about Jones’ future said 4th District voters are unhappy about his enrollment in DROP and that speculation about his potential successor is becoming a “self-fulfilling prophecy.”

“This is a district that reads the newspaper and works to stay informed,” the person said. “And they don’t like what they’ve been reading and hearing.”

In June, Jones said he has had four eye surgeries and that he enrolled in DROP to ensure he can afford the healthcare he needs in retirement, “so that if I was blind, I wouldn’t have been without resources.”

He added that, due to his health challenges, he is grateful he was not elected Council president. He ran for the leadership post in 2023, losing to Kenyatta Johnson, a South Philadelphia Democrat.

“I am functional. My staff kind of helps to keep that good,” Jones said. ”I am thankful to God that I did not get elected [Council] president. Do you know how much reading they do? I could have not kept up with all of the numbers and stuff like that, so I know my limitations.”

Jazelle Jones, who has served in multiple mayoral administrations, enrolled in DROP in 2020 and was originally set to retire in 2024. Parker, however, has pushed through a series of exceptions to personnel rules allowing her to continue serving and collect a more lucrative DROP benefit of about $320,000. Those approvals were processed months after the fact, city records show, and the administration has not yet explained the gaps in paperwork.

Curtis Jones, 69, has also said he hopes that Cephas, 42, a West Philadelphia Democrat, will succeed him when he retires after his next four-year term, meaning she would run in the 2031 municipal election cycle.

State Rep. Morgan Cephas attends a get-out-the-vote rally for State Sen. Sharif Street at the Church of Christian Compassion in West Philadelphia on May 18, 2026, on the day before the Democratic primary election for the 3rd Congressional District. Cephas was a candidate for the same seat, but withdrew early in the race.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

Philadelphia politicians sometimes retire in the middle of their terms, triggering a special election in which Democratic ward leaders, and not primary voters, choose the party’s nominee, who usually ends up winning the seat thanks to Philly’s deep-blue electorate. That can sometimes allow outgoing politicians to handpick their successors.

But Jones has said he would not retire in the middle of his next term, and he instead plans to endorse Cephas to run in a Democratic primary in 2031.

Amid the heightened scrutiny over his retirement plans, some allies of Jones and Cephas, who both got their start in the West Philadelphia-based political organization previously led by former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, are encouraging him to speed up the transition. That could prevent a worst-case scenario for Cephas: if Jones lost to another challenger in next year’s Democratic primary while Cephas sat out the race in deference to Jones.

Cephas, the chair of the Philadelphia delegation to the state House, ran for Congress earlier this year in a high-profile contest but dropped out of the race two months before Election Day.

She declined to comment through a spokesperson.

Three Philly City Council districts emerge as key battlegrounds in the 2027 election

Several other potential candidates are considering running for Jones’ seat, setting up what could grow into a crowded primary.

Spak — an affordable housing developer based in West Philadelphia who has in recent years been critical of some Council members’ more restrictive housing policies — is rumored to be considering a campaign. He declined to comment.

In this 2022 file photo, Ryan Spak is photographed at 44th and Chestnut Street near the Ethiopian Community Association. Spak’s work has included collaborating with West Philly residential and commercial property owners on rehab projects.ALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / Staff Photographer

In addition, the city’s progressive organizations are eyeing the district as a potential opportunity to grow their influence on Council. Candidates aligned with the left are already lining up to run against incumbents in at least two other districts.

Three sources close to that effort, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the plans publicly, said Trusty and Owens, both criminal justice reform advocates, are considering getting in the 4th District race.

Trusty is the ex-secretary of the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons and has also worked with the national organization FAMM, formerly known as Families Against Mandatory Minimums. She declined to comment.

Celeste Trusty, of FAMM, is at right in this 2019 file photo. She is celebrating with Ketra Veasy (center), sister of Willie Veasy, who had been imprisoned for 27 years for murder and was exonerated.HEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer

Owens, a former staffer at SEIU who was also a political aide to progressive ex-Councilmember Helen Gym, is now the education and advocacy director at the Pennsylvania Prison Society. He said in an interview that he has been considering running for Jones’ seat for about two years.

He said he is a native of the district, and sees an opportunity for new voices on Council to advocate for stronger public education and more affordable housing.

Owens, 46, said the revelations around Jones’ use of DROP made clear that it’s “time for the old guard to step down.”

“When I see what he’s doing with this DROP money and people using politics as a tool to line their pockets and stifle progress, it’s upsetting,” Owens said. “It’s time for people that really have the lived experience and who are doing this for the right reasons to get these seats. That’s the only way the city is going to be better: if our leaders care about the people and not their own interest.”

Staff researcher Ryan W. Briggs contributed to this article.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly listed a candidate considering running for the 4th District seat. The potential candidates are Curtis Jones Jr., Morgan Cephas, Ryan Spak, Celeste Trusty, and Leigh Owens.

September 28, 2026
LeBron James’ goal in Philly is clear: ‘I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round’

LeBron James grabbed and glanced at the name tag perched on a table, then quipped, “You guys know who I am, right?”

Those assembled inside the 76ers’ practice facility did, of course. James, one of the NBA’s all-time greats and a mainstream international celebrity, generally commands such hubbub. But the blue No. 23 jersey that James wore Monday amped that attention up even more. New teammate Tyrese Maxey even called seeing his friend and summer workout buddy’s new professional attire “really just weird.”

In James’ long-anticipated first day inside these walls — and first time speaking publicly since he chose the Sixers in a stunning free-agency move in July — the future Hall of Famer touched on needing to learn new streets and new people. The Northeast Ohio native mentioned reacclimating to weather in this part of the country, on the tail end of the weekend’s Nor’easter storm. James acknowledged the outside noise surrounding the Sixers will be “doubled and tripped and quadrupled now that I’m here.”

LeBron James stays cagey and lauding Tyrese Maxey’s work on the phones. Here are five takeaways from Sixers media day

Yet James reemphasized that his goal, in perhaps his last destination in a storied NBA career, is to seize the Sixers’ newfound super team status. The four-time champion hopes to provide the “blueprint” for the “collective sacrifice” and consistent work habits required to reach the NBA mountaintop, a feat the Sixers have not accomplished in more than four decades.

“Everyone wants, like, instant oatmeal,” James said at the Sixers’ media day ahead of the start of training camp. “You just put the oatmeal in the bowl, you put water in it, throw it in the microwave, and in a minute-and-a-half, you’ve got something to eat. You’re ready to go.

Video: LeBron James on Philly sports fans: ‘They know ball’

“If you want to do something special, it takes time. And it takes, every single day, doing things that you may not want to do. Because it’s the same thing, over and over and over and over and over, repetition after repetition after repetition. …

“That is the best way to expedite being great: You have to fall in love with doing things [that are] uncomfortable. And if we can do that, we can be a great team. If we don’t do that, then we’ll be like, ‘Oh, man, that was a great team on paper and we had a lot of great talent, and we lost in the second round.’”

LeBron James wore a Sixers jersey for the first time on Monday. Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

When asked directly Monday if the 41-year-old James, who signed a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option, views Philly as his “final stop,” James did not fully commit. He said “that would be doing a disservice to myself on just living in the moment” entering season No. 24.

James did give a brief recap of why he chose Philly in July, including agent Rich Paul’s infamous white board breaking down his contenders in a podcast episode. James reinforced that multiple conversations with Maxey, an All-NBA guard and fellow Klutch client, was “one of the main deciding factors” in him selecting the Sixers over previous teams the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, among other suitors.

Video: LeBron James on how much Tyrese Maxey played a factor in his decision to choose Philly

James hopes his vast experience — he is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and a four-time league Most Valuable Player — can aid new teammates such as Joel Embiid, also a former MVP, and an organization with rich history seeking its first NBA title since 1983. James also still provides top-notch on-court production, basketball IQ, and versatility. He averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists with the Los Angeles Lakers last season — and said he is willing to do “whatever the team needs for me to do.”

“I think the luxury of my game is I can do everything,” James said, candidly. “Literally, I can do everything.”

Joel Embiid looks light, sounds optimistic about his new teammates and Sixers’ chances

Added Maxey: “He’s worked for everything he’s gotten. He was put on a pedestal [as a prospect] where a lot of guys don’t succeed, and he’s probably surpassed expectations.”

James’ illustrious career has included numerous trips to Philly, even dating back to a high school game played at The Palestra. He commended that the city’s passionate sports fans “know ball,” and that, as an opponent, he felt “a mutual respect … but we hate you.”

“I actually really love that,” James said. “I really thrive under that circumstance. … I’m happy to be on this side, though.”

Video: LeBron James is focused on ‘living in the moment’ with the Sixers

During conversations and workouts in the weeks since choosing the Sixers, James said he has felt that the organization’s key figures are “on the same page.” Training camp opens Tuesday, ahead of an Oct. 20 opener at the defending champion New York Knicks.

James cautioned against expecting “instant oatmeal.” But his ultimate goal — for this newly assembled super team, and in perhaps his legendary career’s final chapter — was clear.

“I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round,” James said. “I know that, for sure. Work needs to be done, and I’m ready to put the work in.”

September 28, 2026
The big question looming over Brazil’s elections: Trump’s next move

BRASÍLIA, Brazil — Since taking office, President Donald Trump has become an electoral kingmaker in Latin America. Right-wing candidates aligned with Washington have won the past seven elections in the region, with Trump explicitly endorsing the winner in two of them.

“We’re doing very well in South America,” Trump told reporters this month. “Lots of people that I got elected.”

Now comes the biggest regional test for the right and for Trump’s record of success: Brazil.

As Brazilians prepare to head to the polls, the question looming over Latin America’s largest democracy is whether Trump will try to influence its presidential election next month.

The American leader has not openly championed any Brazilian candidate. But the Trump administration has in more subtle ways lifted the right-wing challenger, Flávio Bolsonaro, who is running against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a leftist.

Having watched Trump wade into other elections and experienced his failed attempt to help Bolsonaro’s father avoid prison for plotting a coup, Brazil is erecting a firewall to try to shield its high-stakes vote from potential U.S. meddling.

The efforts include monitoring foreign lobbying and disinformation, fighting false claims about electoral fraud, and enlisting the support of countries in Europe, Asia, and elsewhere.

This article is based on interviews with more than a dozen Brazilian government and electoral officials, law enforcement officers, intelligence agents, and foreign diplomats. Many spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Bolsonaro’s campaign and the State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The concern for many in Brazil is that, in a narrow contest where polls show Bolsonaro and Lula practically tied, a helping hand from Trump could tip the scales in the challenger’s favor.

The Trump administration has rejected Brazil’s claims that it is seeking to interfere, even though it tried this summer to send a U.S. delegation to investigate Brazil’s electoral integrity.

American help, Brazilian officials said, could come in the form of more measures to hurt Lula’s image. Trump used sanctions and tariff threats in an attempt last year to save Jair Bolsonaro, Flávio Bolsonaro’s father, who tried to cling to power after falsely claiming the last election was stolen. That failed, and he was sentenced to 27 years.

Many also worry about online campaigns from abroad aiding Bolsonaro.

A recent wave of paid social media posts, shared by prominent U.S. right-wing accounts, added to those fears. The posts amplified claims by Polymarket, the predictions market backed by Donald Trump Jr.’s venture capital firm, that Bolsonaro stood staggering chances of winning, deviating wildly from polls showing no clear front-runner.

Lula, among the few world leaders to take on Trump, has made clear he is prepared to defend his country’s interests.

“The Americans better not come trying to influence our elections,” he said this month. “Trump should mind his own country’s business.” Speaking at the United Nations last week, he blasted foreign meddling into his country’s sovereign affairs, without naming the United States: “Brazil is nobody’s backyard.”

He also launched a searing campaign video accusing the Trump administration, without offering evidence, of helping his rival and interfering in Brazil’s elections with an eye to seizing its natural resources.

Brazil, a vast nation of 210 million, has an economy powered by commodities the world needs and institutions that are not afraid to push the limits of democracy in the name of saving it.

“Wherever the threat may come from, we have the tools to defend ourselves,” said Gilmar Mendes, Brazil’s longest-serving Supreme Court justice. “If necessary, there will certainly be a forceful response.”

The Trump factor

Worried about campaigns orchestrated from abroad, Brazil’s intelligence agencies have made combating foreign manipulation through social media a top priority.

The court that oversees elections has also set new rules for electoral misinformation, asking companies such as Google and Meta to submit plans for combating misleading videos and posts generated by artificial intelligence.

And, amid renewed attacks by Bolsonaro’s allies in Brazil and abroad about the credibility of the country’s voting systems, authorities began a major campaign, complete with a mascot, aimed at strengthening trust among voters, diplomats, and international observers.

A win by Bolsonaro would bolster ambitious plans laid out by Washington to expand its influence in Latin America through right-wing allies.

“Under our new national security strategy, American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again,” the State Department said in a recent, lengthy video.

Brazil represents the biggest remaining prize. As president, Bolsonaro would more likely align with the United States on issues including organized crime and critical minerals. (Lula has said Brazil would not hand over its natural resources.)

And leaked documents written by an ally of Bolsonaro, reported by Brazilian media and reviewed by the New York Times, suggest people close to the candidate may have proposed giving the United States access to Brazil’s critical minerals in exchange for support. The document’s author acknowledged producing it, but denied that they wrote it on behalf of Bolsonaro’s campaign or that it was shared with U.S. officials. Bolsonaro’s campaign did not immediately respond to questions about the document.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has cast Brazil as unfriendly to American interests, lumping it in with U.S. adversaries like Cuba and Nicaragua.

Many in Brazil have bristled at the idea that Trump, who was once recorded asking a state election official in Georgia to “find” more votes, should be stepping into another nation’s elections.

“With all due respect,” said Mendes, “the United States has no lessons to teach us when it comes to electoral systems.”

American help

In Brazil, worries about American meddling have dominated political discourse and editorial pages for months. And to many, the Trump administration has already been propping up Bolsonaro’s candidacy in indirect ways.

At a time when Brazilians are deeply worried about security, Trump yielded to lobbying by Bolsonaro to designate two Brazilian gangs as terrorist groups.

The administration also tried to send U.S. envoys to meet Bolsonaro in Brazil and investigate the country’s voting systems, which prompted Brazilian officials to block the visits.

If his son, Flávio, loses, there are signs the candidate could launch similar claims of electoral cheating — and his allies expect to find a sympathetic ear in Trump.

After the last election, President Joe Biden recognized Lula’s victory within hours. Even so, Bolsonaro’s claims of fraud inspired his supporters to storm the capital, in a riot reminiscent of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Counterattack

International experts agree Brazil’s electronic voting machines, a frequent target of Bolsonaro’s movement, are some of the most secure in the world.

Yet a poll last month showed 34% of Brazilians distrust the voting machines, up from 20% in 2022.

The electoral court has invited political parties and hackers to test the machines and greatly expanded randomized auditing.

On a recent weekday at the electoral court, social media influencers snapped selfies with an election mascot shaped like a voting machine. The court also hosted more than 80 diplomats for a workshop touting Brazil’s electoral system.

“We opened our doors to the world,” said Justice Kássio Nunes Marques, the chief of the electoral court. “We went about dismantling every argument.”

And with U.S. support no longer a given, Brazil has worked to shore up international backing elsewhere.

Diplomatic missions from the European Union, Canada, Japan, Australia, and other countries, worried about interference from Washington, are holding informal talks on how to jointly respond after the election, according to three senior foreign diplomats.

These diplomats said allies are likely to quickly defend the vote’s integrity no matter who wins, but they also worry about displeasing Washington.

This article originally appeared in the New York Times.

September 28, 2026