LeBron James is the cover star for TIME magazine first ever TIME100 Sports list, which ranks the 100 most influential people in sports for 2026.
TIME named the 41 year old Lakers forward its “athlete of the century” on the new list. He previously appeared on the main TIME100 list twice.
(Image credits: Time Magazine)
In the cover story, James is credited with redefining what modern athletes can achieve on and off the court. The magazine highlighted how he built a blueprint for exceeding expectations throughout his career.
The TIME100 Sports list debuted Tuesday. James is the only athlete featured on the cover of the inaugural edition.