LeBron James’ move to the Philadelphia 76ers has become one of the biggest stories of the NBA offseason, but his reported plans to take the job may be just as surprising.
James is considering living in the New York area instead of Philadelphia and traveling by helicopter to games and practices throughout the season.
The four-time NBA champion recently signed a two-year contract with the 76ers, entering his 23rd NBA season after ending his long tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers. While many expected James to move closer to his new team, that may not be the case, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
“Will he live in Philadelphia? Will he live in New Jersey? Will he live in New York?” Charania said on ESPN. “Will he be helicoptered back and forth? We don’t know those answers yet.
“But we do know he’s going to the East Coast, which is a huge change for the way James is living his career right now.”
Since Charania’s initial comments, multiple prominent media outlets have reported that Manhattan has become James’ expected home base, with helicopter travel considered a preferred option to get to and from Philadelphia.
It’s expected to take about 45 minutes one way, allowing James and his family to stay in New York while fulfilling his commitment to the Sixers.
The cost of travel will be huge. A round-trip helicopter ride between Manhattan and Philadelphia is estimated to cost about $11,500, meaning if James commutes to practices and all 41 home games, the entire season will cost well over $1 million.
However, cost is unlikely to be a major consideration for James. The NBA’s first active billionaire reportedly earns about $114 million a year through endorsements and business ventures, making projected travel costs only a fraction of his annual off-court earnings.
James has yet to publicly confirm where he plans to live during the season, but Charania’s comments sparked widespread discussion about one of the most unconventional commuting arrangements in professional sports.
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