Reason LeBron James gets free helicopter rides is revealed

LeBron James is getting free helicopter rides the same way most folks get free samples at the grocery stores.

A corporate sponsor reportedly covers the bill every time James takes a chopper back and forth between Philly and New York City, where the Philadelphia 76ers star plans to live over the next year. James has been seen riding helicopters emblazoned with Fanatics logos over the past week.

According to Colin Salao and Daniel Roberts, Fanatics has confirmed that James has been using their company’s aviation services “as part of his broader deal” with the sports retailing giant. LeBron signed a multi-year contract with Fanatics in 2024.

“The deal we signed with Fanatics almost three years ago includes access to their corporate aviation,” a spokesperson for James told FOS. “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.”

LeBron can easily afford to pay for helicopter rides or even his own helicopter company if he wanted. But LeBron also has a reputation for being notoriously cheap.

A one-way helicopter ride to cover the 100-mile distance between Philadelphia and New York costs thousands of dollars. Even a billionaire like James would prefer to take the freebie rather pay for the trips out of his own pocket.