bleacherreport
Pablo Torre, a journalist and podcaster, has announced he is examining a contract between Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James and Fanatics that allegedly includes on-demand helicopter transportation. Torre's investigation was prompted by a report from ESPN's Dave McMenamin, who revealed that James has been using a helicopter to commute between New York and Philadelphia since signing with the Sixers during the offseason.
Daniel Roberts of Front Office Sports and TMZ Sports subsequently reported that the helicopter is branded by Fanatics and is part of James' endorsement agreement with the company. On a Tuesday episode of Front Office Sports' Tuned In, Torre told Roberts that he views the situation as "something of interest to the league." Torre also mentioned that he has been receiving tips from NBA owners who are forwarding the story and asking, "What is this?"
According to TMZ, James' use of any Fanatics aircraft falls under his "broad long term deal" with the company. The outlet noted that comparable charter flights between New York and Philadelphia typically cost between $6,000 and $9,000 each way. Roberts added that the endorsement deal extends beyond James' playing career and that "a small handful of other athletes with big Fanatics deals get same access" to the brand's aviation services.
Key Analysis
The inquiry into James' helicopter perk comes on the heels of a significant accolade for Torre's team. In May, the staff of Pablo Torre Finds Out received a Pulitzer Prize in Audio Reporting for their investigation into alleged salary cap circumvention by the Los Angeles Clippers, which led to penalties from the NBA in September. Torre's scrutiny of James' arrangement suggests a pattern of probing potentially irregular benefits in the league.
James signed a two-year, $8 million contract with a second-year player option earlier this summer. He made his preseason debut for the Sixers last Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets. The NBA's all-time leading scorer is scheduled to begin his first regular season with Philadelphia next Tuesday in a road matchup against the defending champion New York Knicks.
Originally reported by bleacherreport.