Pablo Torre hits again! The Pulitzer-winning journalist is back on the investigative trail, and this time, the spotlight has turned toward one of the world’s wealthiest figures: LeBron James. Torre has confirmed that he is looking into the endorsement arrangements tied to the 76ers’ newest superstar. At the center of the inquiry is an unusual detail: a Fanatics-branded corporate helicopter reportedly being used for commutes between New York City and Philadelphia/New Jersey.

What might appear to be a convenient way to travel has now become part of Torre’s latest investigation. During a live Front Office Sports event on Tuned In, hosted by reporter Daniel Roberts (one of the journalists behind the original report on the aviation clause in James’ contract), Torre offered a glimpse into the growing unease around the arrangement.

“I commend you guys for being on top of that. It’s something that I also have been watching, of course,” Torre told Roberts, his former colleague, and admitted he got a bit competitive. “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. And by the way, it may not be the latter, it does appear to be the former as a business story.”

Torre, whose investigative podcast Pablo Torre Finds Out previously earned a Pulitzer Prize for uncovering salary cap circumvention allegations surrounding the Los Angeles Clippers, noted that rival franchise governors are actively pointing him toward the situation.

“We’re also getting tips from NBA owners who are like sending your story being like ‘what is this?'” Torre told Roberts. “Because now I’m the guy who seems to be a lever on something like accountability, even among billionaires, which is a fun plot twist.”

The investigation stems from initial reporting by Daniel Roberts and Colin Salao at Front Office Sports, who revealed that James is not paying out of pocket for his frequent flights between Manhattan and the 76ers’ practice facility in Camden, New Jersey. Instead, the rides are provided via an aviation clause written into the multi-year trading card and memorabilia deal James signed with Fanatics in January 2024.

And many are interested in knowing whether the arrangement crosses competitive lines.

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.”

Flight records indicate the Leonardo AW139 helicopter, emblazoned with Fanatics branding, made over a dozen round-trips between New York and Northeast Philadelphia Airport in early October alone.

Each one-way charter flight costs an estimated $4,000 to $10,000, cutting down what would be a 90-minute to two-hour drive to a 30-minute flight.

Rival NBA teams ask tough questions

Although the helicopter arrangement was in place before James signed his two-year, $8 million deal with Philadelphia in July, it has drawn fresh scrutiny from rival NBA owners.

Their concern centers on whether a corporate sponsor with close ties to a franchise’s ownership, such as former 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin, could be giving a player a competitive advantage or providing an unauthorized team amenity (Rubin is also the founder and CEO of Fanatics).

James is set to earn a career-low $3.87 million this season. However, he supplements his lower NBA salary through extensive endorsement deals, including Fanatics and a recently reported $15 million annual partnership with prediction-market platform Polymarket.

But at Tuned In, both Roberts and Torre noted that these deals make observers immediately jump to cap circumvention. That is especially after the alleged perks Dennis Robertson made to the Clippers on behalf of Kawhi Leonard included a team-paid helicopter to commute between San Diego and Los Angeles.

Once again, though, Torre has ignited fans’ wrath. They’re urging Torre to leave this one so they can enjoy LeBron James’s closing chapters as a player.

As James prepares for opening night against the New York Knicks on October 20, Torre’s ongoing investigation will examine whether the corporate aviation perk represents standard endorsement value.

The environmental lens

It goes without saying that environmentalists will be upset, considering the AW139 is known for being emissions-intensive.

As reported by Defector, the helicopter can carry 15 passengers, and can travel up to 659 miles on a full tank. That tank holds 414 gallons of fuel, putting the helicopter’s maximum fuel efficiency at approximately 1.59 miles per gallon.

Well, James is the same player who, back in 2008, teamed up with SpongeBob SquarePants (the children’s television series) to raise awareness about the environment. It was a part of Nickelodeon’s Big Green Help campaign.

“We’re trying to save water and do other things that can help the environment. It doesn’t take much to recycle a can or turn the faucet off,” James had said back then.

So, it seems like James’s helicopter rides have a lot more than just business and competitive interests associated with it.