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It’s raised a few eyebrows around the league that LeBron James took a steep pay cut — playing for the veteran minimum — to come to Philadelphia, then commutes from New York to the team’s New Jersey practice facility and games in Philly via helicopter. Specifically, a Fantatics-branded helicopter from the sports apparel company. Pablo Torre of the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast — which blew the Kawhi Leonard/Clippers/Aspiration story up — said NBA owners have sent him messages asking what is going on, and he is looking into it.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver downplayed the concern in an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, saying if it’s part of LeBron’s endorsement deal with Fanatics it’s fine, as long as the 76ers aren’t part of it (quote via ESPN).
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“He has a deal with Fanatics. It’s perfectly appropriate if part of his deal is they’re going to supply a helicopter to him as long as it’s just a deal between the Fanatics and LeBron and no team is involved; there’s no rules issue there whatsoever.”
Front Office Sports’ Daniel Roberts and TMZ Sports investigated LeBron’s helicopter rides and endorsement deal with Fanatics, and both confirmed that LeBron isn’t paying for the helicopter out of pocket. That said, LeBron has had a deal with Fanatics for several years — one that will extend beyond his playing days — and the use of the Fanatics helicopter is part of that long-term deal. Here is what a spokesperson for James told Front Office Sports:
“The deal we signed with Fanatics almost three years ago includes access to their corporate aviation. It’s a feature in many of their deals with their largest athletes and we appreciate their partnership as LeBron splits his time between New York and Philadelphia.”
Beyond that, the idea that LeBron needed a sweetener financially to take the minimum and play for Philadelphia was always a little ridiculous. Putting aside the fact that LeBron has earned more than half a billion in salary before this season ($583 million), Forbes also estimates he will make about $85 million in endorsements this year. LeBron always had the money to make the best…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/adam-silver-says-lebrons-helicopter-164111448.html
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Publish date : 2026-10-21 16:41:00
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