Pablo Torre announced he is looking into LeBron James' helicopter travel and privileges within the Philadelphia 76ers.
Appearing on the Front Office Sports Tuned In summit, the award-winning investigative journalist revealed NBA owners have reached out to him about James flying in a Fanatics helicopter.
"It's something that I also have been watching, of course," Torre said. "I know that Fanatics logo, I saw that. I was also a little mad that I didn't get to get that one first.
"On that story specifically, I will say that we're very interested. And we are, of course, looking into all the ways that is both a good story, as well as something of interest to the league."
LeBron James enjoying Fanatics perks with unlimited use of a helicopter for commute
LeBron James signed a two-year, $7.95 million veteran minimum contract with the 76ers this past offseason. However, he is not staying in Philadelphia, as he uses a helicopter to commute home to New York following the Sixers' team practices in Camden, New Jersey, or after home games.
James is bypassing traffic by flying in a Fanatics-branded Leonardo AW139 corporate helicopter. The private flight takes just 30 to 45 minutes compared to a grueling two-hour drive, and he has frequently made up to 12 round-trips in a single week.
These kinds of flights typically cost from $6,000 to $9,000 each way.
James's helicopter commuting is reportedly a key part of his long-term partnership deal with the betting company, and the 41-year-old superstar has unlimited use and is not paying a dime for it.
It will be intriguing to see how Pablo Torre will look at James' helicopter perks within the 76ers following his groundbreaking reporting around the LA Clippers' salary-cap circumventing schemes for Kawhi Leonard.
Behind Torre’s revelation, the NBA punished the LA Clippers with a record $30 million fine, stripped the franchise of five consecutive first-round draft picks from 2029 to 2033, and placed the organization under a strict five-year league-supervised compliance program.
Additionally, the league suspended owner Steve Ballmer and executive Gillian Zucker for one year, while team president Lawrence Frank received a six-month suspension without pay.