Fanatics covers LeBron James' helicopter commute between New York and Philadelphia for Sixers games

Fanatics paying the helicopter bill

LeBron James is commuting between his New York City home and Philadelphia for Sixers games and practices aboard helicopters provided and paid for by Fanatics, the sports merchandise and betting company whose CEO, Michael Rubin, was a part-owner of the 76ers as recently as 2022. A spokesperson for James confirmed the arrangement to Front Office Sports, saying access to corporate aviation is "a feature in many of their deals with their largest athletes" and noting that the company partnership was signed almost three years ago. Flight records reviewed by Front Office Sports show the Fanatics helicopter has made about a dozen round trips between the two cities in the past week, and the aircraft has been seen leaving the Philadelphia area with Fanatics branding. The dollar value of James' deal with Fanatics has not been publicly disclosed, and Fanatics did not respond to a request for comment on James' use of the company's helicopter.

How the perk fits the memorabilia contract

The aviation access is part of the multi-year trading card and memorabilia partnership James signed with Fanatics in January 2024, which predated any expectation that he would leave the Los Angeles Lakers. His representative said the perk is not unique to James and is offered to other top athletes in Fanatics' portfolio. Wings Air Helicopters, a New York-based charter service, told PhillyVoice in July that a one-way charter between Philadelphia and New York City typically runs about $4,000 to $10,000, with a round trip near $12,000. Using the prior season's benchmark of 41 Sixers home games and 26 home practices, PhillyVoice calculated helicopter expenses near $804,500 for the year, though that figure is an outlet extrapolation rather than a confirmed company outlay. BasketballNews, citing Front Office Sports, separately reported that James "isn't paying a dime" for the commute.

Sixers debut still ahead of him

James has yet to play a game for Philadelphia. He sat on the bench on Monday as the 76ers opened their preseason with a 120-97 victory over the New York Knicks. According to For The Win, he signed a two-year, $8 million veteran-minimum deal with the 76ers in July, joining the team as the NBA's all-time leading scorer entering his 24th season. His helicopter commute and broader Fanatics relationship are drawing attention against the backdrop of the league's recent investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers over side deals involving Kawhi Leonard, with the outlet noting that Rubin sold his minority Sixers stake in 2022 ahead of Fanatics' sports betting launch but remains CEO, while majority owner Josh Harris signed James.

What remains undisclosed

Several details are not publicly known. The total financial value of James' Fanatics contract, the expected number of helicopter trips across the regular season, and any formal tie between the perk and the 76ers have not been disclosed. Fanatics declined to comment on James' use of the helicopter, leaving open whether the arrangement is captured in any NBA review of player endorsement compensation. James' spokesperson framed the perk as a standard feature of major Fanatics athlete deals, but the company has not publicly confirmed that characterization. James is expected to make his preseason playing debut with the 76ers in the coming days, and any further disclosure on the scope of the Fanatics arrangement, or any league clarification regarding endorsement-related compensation, would mark the next verifiable update.