NBA investigative journalist Pablo Torre questioned the LeBron James 76ers recruitment and the fact that he gained “reportable access to a Fanatics helicopter”.
Torre also raised the issue of how the signing of James was announced, initially through a Topps trading card, rather than a prominent NBA beat writer.
Additionally, he mentioned a source in the league who allegedly questioned if Rubin, the 76ers’ previous minority owner, played a role in persuading James to sign with Philadelphia during Fanatics Fest.
Sixers PR did not return our call when we reached out for comment, Torre said, though he did emphasize that he was not accusing them of running up against the salary cap.
Helicopter arrangement draws attention
Torre was also working on questions about how James used a Fanatics-branded Leonardo AW139 helicopter to fly between New York and the Philadelphia area.
The 41-year-old is said to live in New York and commutes to practices in Camden, New Jersey, and all Sixers home games.
It’s a 30- to 45-minute helicopter flight, as opposed to a two-hour drive. According to sources, similar private flights average from $6,000 to $9,000 one-way.
According to those familiar with the deal, James is given unrestricted access to the aircraft under the terms of his broader partnership with Fanatics. The details of the setup, however, remain unclear.
Torre said that he was looking into the deal, but the report made no mention of any violations. The 76ers have yet to publicly comment on his inquiries.
