Nets Owner Openly Backs Pablo Torre Amid LeBron James Investigation Backlash
Credits: Imagn Images (LeBron James), Getty Images (Joe Tsai)
Pablo Torre, the renowned sports investigator, has openly admitted to investigating LeBron James’ deal with Fanatics, which gives the 76ers’ billionaire veteran unlimited access to the company’s helicopter for his daily commute, even as he took a pay cut in free agency.
Torre also claimed NBA team owners reached out to ask whether he would look into this deal after he uncovered the Kawhi Leonard salary-cap circumvention scandal last year. Amid reports of support from team owners, the Brooklyn Nets’ owner Joe Tsai has openly criticized the backlash Torre is receiving from LeBron James fans for investigating their beloved superstar.
When fans crossed all limits and began hurling racist comments at Pablo Torre, the Nets’ team owner also responded after Torre was called a Chinese man, despite being from the Philippines, amid several other racist remarks.
“Pablo Torre is a proud Asian-American and an excellent journalist. He has done extraordinary work reporting on the NBA,” wrote Tsai on X. “I don’t know who you are, but this blatant racism is despicable, and you should be called out for who you are,” he said, addressing the fan’s remarks.
It is a bit surprising that LeBron James fans are getting riled up about the investigation, since Torre has already admitted he doesn’t smell foul play and wants to investigate from a good sports-business story perspective.
Rumors suggest NBA insiders are suspicious of former 76ers owner Michael Rubin’s role in convincing LeBron James to come to Philadelphia by offering perks beyond the team and league.
And considering that James claimed that money was not a factor in his decision (he’s a billionaire), if any wrongdoing is found here, it will likely only impact LeBron James’ public relations but will likely not make him subject to the league’s investigations since Rubin is not restricted by the NBA’s rules anymore.
Even Carmelo Anthony, a close friend of LeBron James and a former NBA star, called out Pablo Torre and other team owners for trying to put LeBron James in a bad light near the end of his career.
Moreover, James has done business with Fanatics and has been under contract with them since 2024, long before he joined the 76ers in free agency. Reports suggest the Helicopter arrangement was part of their deal from the start.
Therefore, it is very unlikely that LeBron James will face any official investigation for this deal, and even if he does, the league will likely find no evidence of wrongdoing.
So LeBron James’ fans shouldn’t have anything to worry about; they should understand that public scrutiny is a part of being a superstar in today’s game.
And nothing justifies racism in any manner, so we definitely hope that such LeBron James fans can reflect on their actions and avoid spreading hate unnecessarily.