“Never thought i'd see the day”: LeBron James' new hairstyle at TIME 100 Sports Gala with Savannah James surprises fans
The Times Of India | July 18, 2026 11:39 AM CST
LeBron James showed up to the TIME 100 Sports Gala with a look few expected, debuting a completely bald head after years of a receding hairline. The four-time NBA champion appeared on the red carpet Thursday night alongside his wife, Savannah, hours after being named TIME's Athlete of the Century, and the new look quickly became the story of the night among fans online.
The appearance came in the middle of an unusually quiet stretch of James' free agency, with no word yet on where he plans to sign after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron James shows off new hairstyle at TIME gala
"Without sports, I wouldn't be here," James said. "I wouldn't be able to tell my story. I would not be able to inspire the youth, inspire everybody that's followed my journey."
He gave no hints about his free agency plans during the speech. James spent eight seasons with the Lakers, winning a championship in 2020 before the team's second-round sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder ended his run there.
As for his wife, Savannah James stole the spotlight at the TIME100 Sports Gala in a striking black gown featuring a plunging neckline, a thigh-high slit and feather detailing. She completed the look with soft waves and a blonde hairstyle.
The high school sweethearts, who have been together for 24 years and married since 2013, appeared as close as ever on the red carpet. Away from the spotlight, Savannah hosts the Everybody's Crazy podcast, runs her Reframe Beauty skincare brand and continues to play an important role in LeBron James' offseason decisions alongside their three children.
Fans react to LeBron James' hairstyle
The bald look spread fast across social media, with fans weighing in on the sudden change:
"Every goat needs a shiny head," one fan wrote.
"He was bald 15 years ago and been hat fishing for 20 of them," another commented.
"We finally entered bald ramone era," one user shared.
"Bron look like a agent from the Matrix lol," another wrote.
"He literally played bald almost the entire season," one fan recalled.
"whoa, never thought i'd see the day! but he's pulling it off, totally works with the beard," one fan shared.
"Bro looks better bald," one wrote.
The reaction underscored just how much attention follows James even on nights unrelated to basketball, especially with his free agency decision still pending.
What comes next for LeBron James' free agency
The silence around James' next move has become a story of its own. ESPN's Brian Windhorst said the lack of communication has left even competing front offices guessing.
"The teams that are trying to get him are talking to each other. They're talking to me and saying, 'What are you hearing?' There has been no information coming from LeBron and Rich Paul," Windhorst said.
Shams Charania reported earlier in the week that the Heat, Cavaliers, and 76ers hold the inside track on landing James, though nothing has been confirmed. With Savannah James and the couple's three children known to play an active role in his offseason decisions, the family's involvement adds another layer to a decision that James himself has said won't be rushed.
The appearance came in the middle of an unusually quiet stretch of James' free agency, with no word yet on where he plans to sign after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron James shows off new hairstyle at TIME gala
"Without sports, I wouldn't be here," James said. "I wouldn't be able to tell my story. I would not be able to inspire the youth, inspire everybody that's followed my journey."
He gave no hints about his free agency plans during the speech. James spent eight seasons with the Lakers, winning a championship in 2020 before the team's second-round sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder ended his run there.
As for his wife, Savannah James stole the spotlight at the TIME100 Sports Gala in a striking black gown featuring a plunging neckline, a thigh-high slit and feather detailing. She completed the look with soft waves and a blonde hairstyle.
The high school sweethearts, who have been together for 24 years and married since 2013, appeared as close as ever on the red carpet. Away from the spotlight, Savannah hosts the Everybody's Crazy podcast, runs her Reframe Beauty skincare brand and continues to play an important role in LeBron James' offseason decisions alongside their three children.
Fans react to LeBron James' hairstyle
The bald look spread fast across social media, with fans weighing in on the sudden change:
"Every goat needs a shiny head," one fan wrote.
"He was bald 15 years ago and been hat fishing for 20 of them," another commented.
"We finally entered bald ramone era," one user shared.
"Bron look like a agent from the Matrix lol," another wrote.
"He literally played bald almost the entire season," one fan recalled.
"whoa, never thought i'd see the day! but he's pulling it off, totally works with the beard," one fan shared.
"Bro looks better bald," one wrote.
The reaction underscored just how much attention follows James even on nights unrelated to basketball, especially with his free agency decision still pending.
What comes next for LeBron James' free agency
The silence around James' next move has become a story of its own. ESPN's Brian Windhorst said the lack of communication has left even competing front offices guessing.
"The teams that are trying to get him are talking to each other. They're talking to me and saying, 'What are you hearing?' There has been no information coming from LeBron and Rich Paul," Windhorst said.
Shams Charania reported earlier in the week that the Heat, Cavaliers, and 76ers hold the inside track on landing James, though nothing has been confirmed. With Savannah James and the couple's three children known to play an active role in his offseason decisions, the family's involvement adds another layer to a decision that James himself has said won't be rushed.
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