Former ESPN star Pablo Torre announced this week that he’s investigating Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James and his deal with Fanatics.
During an episode of “Tuned In” earlier this week, Torre told Front Office Sports that he considers James’ contract with Fanatics to be “something of interest to the league.” It was reported that James will use a Fanatics’ helicopter to commute back and forth between New York and Philadelphia during the 2026-27 season.
“A source close to Fanatics tells TMZ Sports the newly signed 76ers superstar — a “key partner” for the biz — is one of the “most important athletes in the world,” and because of that, they’re happy to let him use the company chopper anytime he wants,” TMZ reported.
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images.
Now that Torre has started digging into this story, he’s wondering if Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin convinced James to sign with the 76ers. For what it’s worth, he was previously a minority owner of the team.
“League sources have been wondering if former Sixers minority owner Michael Rubin flipped LeBron — convinced him to sign with the Sixers at Fanatics Fest,” Torre said. “When we asked Sixers PR for comment, they didn’t reply.”
Torre made it clear that he’s not accusing the 76ers of circumventing the salary cap the way the Los Angeles Clippers reportedly did with Kawhi Leonard. He did refer to it, however, as a “funny series of coincidences.”
Why did LeBron join the 76ers?
When James signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers, he said his decision was based off his desire to win another championship.
“This is my last decision. I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point? I still want to sacrifice,” James said. “I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship. I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time. Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always be home!”
If James wins a fifth title with the 76ers, no one is going to question his motives, that’s for sure.
