The trade that sent LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers continues to spark discussion, but this time it has little to do with basketball itself. The focus is on the relationship between the four-time NBA champion, Fanatics and Michael Rubinthe Sixers’ former minority owner.
The latest questions were raised by Pablo Torrethe journalist already known for his reporting on the Los Angeles Clippers and the alleged salary cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard.
After looking into LeBron’s use of a Fanatics helicopter to travel from New York to Philadelphia, Torre decided to dig into another aspect of the story: Rubin’s possible role in James’ decision to sign with the Sixers.
LeBron to the Sixers: what does Michael Rubin have to do with it?
The relationship between LeBron James and Fanatics is nothing new. In 2024, while he was still playing for the Lakers, the four-time MVP signed a commercial agreement with the company that, according to some reports, also gives him access to its air transportation services.
A Fanatics-branded helicopter was reportedly used by James to travel between New York, where he chose to continue living, and Philadelphia, where the Sixers practice and play their games.
What especially caught Torre’s attention, however, is the position of Michael Rubinfounder and CEO of Fanaticswho owned a stake in the Philadelphia 76ers until 2022 before selling it to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
According to the journalist, some sources close to the NBA are wondering whether Rubin played a decisive role in convincing LeBron to move to Philadelphia, perhaps during Fanatics Fest.
Some sources inside the league are wondering whether Michael Rubin, the former Sixers minority owner, convinced LeBron to sign with Philadelphia during Fanatics Fest
Pablo Torre
Making the situation even more interesting is the contract James signed with the Sixers: $8 million total over two seasonsa figure significantly lower than his previous NBA deals.
Torre therefore wants to examine the commercial relationships between the parties and determine whether there are any elements relevant to the league’s salary rules.
At the moment, however, no evidence of wrongdoing has emerged, nor has an official NBA investigation into the LeBron-Fanatics case been announced. These are questions raised by the journalist, not established violations.
LeBron to the Sixers: Topps’ announcement also raises questions
Another detail that caught Torre’s attention is the way LeBron’s arrival in Philadelphia was announced. The first outlet to break the news was not one of the usual NBA insiders, but Topps, the trading card company controlled by Fanatics.
The company unveiled a special James card in a Sixers jersey, beating Shams Charania and the player himself to the announcement by just a few seconds. It was an extremely unusual choice for a trade of this magnitude, and it pushed Torre to question Fanatics’ role in the entire operation even further. An intriguing detail, in other words, but one that by itself does not prove any wrongdoing.
Carmelo Anthony defends LeBron: “Owners are snitching”
The new reports did not go unnoticed, and Carmelo Anthonya close friend of LeBron and former NBA star, also weighed in.
While discussing the situation, Melo defended James, criticizing in particular those who allegedly fueled the suspicions surrounding his travel arrangements and relationship with Fanatics.
I’d take a helicopter too if I had to go from New York to Philadelphia at six, six-thirty in the morning. (…) The owners are snitching
Carmelo Anthony
For Torre, however, the issue goes beyond the mode of transportation: the point is to determine whether commercial agreements outside the NBA contract had any connection to the player’s move.