Adam Silver explains why LeBron James using Fanatics' helicopter is 'perfectly appropriate'

Silver says there’s nothing prohibiting James from having helicopter use in a contract with a brand

LeBron James will make his Philadelphia 76ers debut on Tuesday evening in Madison Square Garden, as James and the Sixers will be in the building as the Knicks receive their 2026 championship rings. James, who is splitting his time between living in Philly and living in New York, will have an easy commute to the game that won't require the use of the helicopter he's been flying back and forth from his home in New York to the Sixers facility during training camp. That helicopter belongs to Fanatics, the sports merchandise and entertainment company owned by former 76ers owner Michael Rubin. James' use of the Fanatics helicopter has raised eyebrows and prompted questions about whether James' brand deals to supplement his vet minimum salary in Philly violate any league rules on cap circumvention — a hot topic after the yearlong investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard.

On Tuesday, commissioner Adam Silver was asked about that on ESPN and explained why LeBron's use of the Fanatics helicopter is "perfectly appropriate." "In the case of LeBron and that helicopter, he has a deal with Fanatics. It's perfectly appropriate if part of his deal is they're gonna supply a helicopter to him," Silver said. "I mean, as long as it's just a deal between the Fanatics and LeBron and no