When LeBron James chose to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, he did so with the idea that he would reside in New York City instead of Philadelphia.
James said himself that he considered playing for the New York Knicks before the Knicks won the NBA title, a sign that perhaps he had always wanted to live in New York. Now, James is taking advantage of playing on the East Coast by living in New York City and taking a helicopter commute to practices and games.
James' decision was a controversial one after Kobe Bryant fatal helicopter crash that happened in 2020. Still, James doesn't seem too worried about the commute, claiming he's no stranger to using helicopters.
Here's a look at the details behind James' helicopter commute.
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Why LeBron James is taking helicopter to 76ers games
Although James signed with Philadelphia on a two-year deal, the veteran prefers to live in New York City. Therefore, James is using a helicopter to commute to games, allowing him to both play for the 76ers and live in New York City.
"Yeah, I've done it before," James said. "Just another, just another way of transportation. That's all."
Leaving Sixers practice today. As LeBron walked outside toward the building. Two plus two? https://t.co/YRRYZRVG1X
— Dana O'Neil (@DanaONeilWriter) September 29, 2026The helicopter that James uses is part of his endorsement deal with Fanatics, which commissioner Adam Silver says is perfectly legal.
"He has a deal with Fanatics," Silver said. "It's perfectly appropriate if part of his deal is they're going to supply a helicopter to him as long as it's just a deal between the Fanatics and LeBron and no team is involved; there's no rules issue there whatsoever."
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Where does LeBron James live?
During the 2026-27 season, James will be residing in New York City when the 76ers are home instead of living directly in Philadelphia.
James didn't move his entire family after changing teams this summer like he did the last three times he signed with a new team. He is also not the first 76ers player to live in New York while playing for Philadelphia; J.J. Redick, who coached James with the Lakers, did so as well.
LeBron James helicopter path
The 76ers practice facility is located in Camden, New Jersey, which is just across state lines from the city of Philadelphia. Therefore, James' helicopter path is from Manhattan, NY, to Camden, NJ, and back, essentially flying over the entire state of New Jersey in the process.
How long does it take to fly from New York City to Philadelphia?
- Time: 30-45 minutes
- Distance: 95 miles
According to The Athletic, James' commute is typically between 30-45 minutes, which is significantly less than if he were to take a car from New York City to Philadelphia. The distance between New York City and Philadelphia is about 81 miles through the air and 95 miles on the road.
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