LeBron’s Fanatics Deal Includes Helicopter Use
The helicopter has repeatedly gone between NYC and Philly.
LeBron James, the NBA's highest-paid player, does not contribute to his own transportation between Philadelphia and New York, where he plays for the Sixers. According to a Fanatics spokesperson, the aviator's helicopter use is included in James' multi-year trading card partnership with the company, which was signed in January 2024.
James, who will reside in New York City during the NBA season, has been observed using a private helicopter with multiple Fanatics logos to travel to and from Philadelphia. The spokesperson for James confirmed that this feature is common in Fanatics' deals with top athletes, as the athlete splits his time between the two cities.
A one-way commercial helicopter ride from New York City to Philadelphia typically costs between $4,000 and $10,000. The frequency of James' helicopter use is evident from the records, which indicate that Fanatics' helicopter made a dozen roundtrips between the two cities in a single week. The exact worth of James' deal with Fanatics remains undisclosed.
James, who has earned nearly $600 million in his 24-year NBA career, signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Sixers in July, with a career-low salary of $3.87 million for the upcoming season. Despite the reduced salary, James is compensating through various endorsement deals, including Fanatics and a recent agreement with Polymarket. The reported Polymarket deal is worth around $15 million annually.
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