Staggering LeBron plan to get to work by helicopter rocks NBA
Staggering details have emerged surrounding LeBron James′ move to the Philadelphia 76ers, including reports that the 41-year-old plans to commute to every game and practice via helicopter to Philadelphia from Manhattan.
James’ departure from the Los Angeles Lakers sparked sheer euphoria in Philadelphia. After widespread speculation that his 23rd season in the NBA would be his last, the four-time champion stunned the basketball world by signing a two-year, $11.4m AUD deal to continue his career with the 76ers.
LeBron James could have an unconventional route to Philly. NBAE via Getty Images
However, it appears James won’t be calling Philly his full-time home.
Instead, NBA insider Shams Charania reports that James is flirting with the idea of basing himself and his family in New York City - specifically Manhattan - and making a 45-minute helicopter flight each day to join his new franchise for games and practice.
“Will he live in Philly? Will he live in New Jersey? Will he live in New York? Will he take a chopper back and forth? We don’t know those answers yet,” Charania said.
“But we do know he’s going to the East Coast, and that’s a big lifestyle change for James at this point in his career.”
The report he will live in Manhattan and commute has since been firmed up and reported by multiple reputable outlets.
At nearly $11,500 per round trip in a helicopter, James could be set to make well over 100 trips to accommodate his training schedule and 41 home games at XFinity Mobile Arena. His commuting bill is expected to hover around $1.15m.
But for James, this extravagant travel plan is merely a small financial venture for the first active billionaire in the NBA. James earns roughly $114m a year from off-court ventures alone, meaning his entire two-year 76ers salary is equal to around 18 days of his typical off-court income.
While James has yet to publicly confirm his residential plans for the upcoming season, a helicopter commute would add a unique chapter to his remarkable career.
Having already secured championships with the Miami Heat, his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers, James is now aiming to become the first player in NBA history to win a title with four different franchises.
