Arena Wine Puts LeBron James’ Review on the Label: ‘It Was All Right’

PHILADELPHIA — Concession workers at Xfinity Mobile Arena spent Tuesday printing new labels for the building’s plastic-cup house red, which now carries a front-panel endorsement from Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James: “It was all right.”

James, 41, chased a loose ball into the stands during the third quarter of Monday’s 126–107 win over the Chicago Bulls, crashed into a fan, spilled the man’s wine, apologized, and took a sip before jogging back onto the court. After the game, James said he “wanted to see if it was worth it on my arm and how good it was,” adding, “It was all right.”

“That is the best review this wine has ever gotten,” said arena beverage operations manager Delphine Szczepankowski-Hale, 51. “A food critic once called it ‘wet.’ We put that on a banner too.”

The new label lists tasting notes of “hardwood, crowd noise, and a 41-year-old on the fast break,” and recommends serving the wine at room temperature, mid-possession, after a hard collision. Sales rose 900% overnight, mostly to fans who now stand in the aisle behind the basket holding a full cup at shoulder height and staring at the court.

Arena officials said three season-ticket holders were warned Tuesday morning for “deliberately walking into the path of play,” and ushers have been issued signs reminding guests that LeBron James is not a sommelier and the 76ers will not be taking additional questions about the merlot.

The arena’s house white has requested a meeting.

“We’re not chasing ‘great,’” Szczepankowski-Hale said. “Next season, we’re hoping for ‘pretty good.’ That’s a whole different price point.”