Dave Portnoy Calls LeBron James the Next Kawhi Leonard Amid 76ers Contract: ‘It’s Illegal’

LeBron James shocked the sports world — including Philadelphia fans — when he announced his decision to sign with the 76ers for his final years in the NBA. But it’s his unusual contract that has Dave Portnoy fuming.

James, 41, agreed to a two-year, $8 million deal with the Sixers, the league minimum.

In 2024, James signed a contract with Fanatics — owned by Michael Rubin, who was once part-owner of the 76ers — that included use of the company’s Fanatics Aviation, according to Front Office Sports‘ Eric Roberts.

Amid his deal with the Sixers, James has opted to live in New York, which is where the Fanatics’ helicopter comes in handy. The outlet reported that a one-way helicopter ride from New York City to Philadelphia can run between $4,000 and $10,000.

The former Los Angeles Lakers star reportedly used the chopper a dozen times in the past week, per FOS, which cuts a two-hour drive down to just 30 minutes.

Barstool Sports owner Portnoy is calling out James’ arrangement, claiming it’s “illegal.”

“He basically took that contract (league minimum deal with the 76ers) because [Michael Rubin, the owner of Fanatics] is doing a side deal with him,” Portnoy, 49, said in a post on X on Tuesday, October 6. “He flies in and out. It’s illegal. It’s basically what Kawhi [Leonard] did. But the NBA won’t look into LeBron.”

Because Fanatics’ Rubin is paying James an undisclosed amount, Portnoy believes it’s their way of circumventing the league’s salary cap.

Leonard, 35, was recently at the center of a scandal with his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers, as the team was accused of funneling money to their star player through illegal means. While Leonard now plays for the Toronto Raptors, the Clippers were hit with a massive penalty of five first round draft picks for their scheme.