Pablo Torre’s reporting on Kawhi Leonard’s “no-show” endorsement deal led to an NBA investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers last year that resulted in a historic punishment.
Now, Torre has turned his attention to LeBron James’ use of a Fanatics-branded helicopter, drawing pushback from some NBA fans.
NBA Fans Oppose Pablo Torre’s Interest in LeBron James’ Fanatics Helicopter Use
In a Tuesday interview with Front Office Sports, Torre confirmed that his team was examining the four-time MVP’s reported use of a Fanatics-branded helicopter to travel between New York and Philadelphia while playing for the 76ers.
“On that story specifically, I will say that we’re very interested, and we are, of course, looking into all the ways that is both a good story as well as something of interest to the league, and by the way, it may not be the latter. It does appear to be the former as a business story.”
Torre also claimed that NBA owners had been forwarding him the original reporting and asking questions about the arrangement.
“We’re also getting tips from NBA owners who are like, sending me your story, being like, ‘What is this?’ Because now I’m the guy who seems to be a lever on something like accountability even among billionaires, which is a fun plot twist,” Torre said during the Front Office Sports interview.
Torre’s interest comes after his September 2025 reporting on Leonard’s $28 million endorsement agreement with Aspiration, a former Clippers sponsor with ties to team owner Steve Ballmer. On his podcast, “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” he alleged that the arrangement provided Leonard with additional compensation beyond his NBA salary.
The NBA subsequently investigated the arrangement and fined the Clippers $30 million, stripped them of five first-round picks, and imposed penalties on several people connected to the team, including Ballmer and Leonard.
James already has business ties to Fanatics. He signed an exclusive trading card agreement with Fanatics Collectibles in 2024 and is also a minority investor in Mitchell & Ness, an apparel company controlled by Fanatics.
Torre’s latest comments swiftly caught the attention of NBA fans, who weighed in on social media.
“Kawhi was the one… leave LeBron alone,” a YouTuber wrote.
Another pointed to Torre’s own description of the arrangement as a business story: “It does appear to be the former, a business story. He knows it’s a nothing burger.”
Others questioned what there was to investigate given James’ existing relationship with Fanatics.
“He’s in a partnership with Fanatics. It’s Fanatics’ helicopter. [Expletive] is there to look into?” one added.
Another defended the arrangement, writing, “Pablo barking up the wrong tree here. Sixers & LeBron did everything by the book with Fanatics. Michael Rubin is no longer a minority owner. Absolutely no question of salary cap circumvention like Kawhi.”
Other reactions were less detailed.
“How bored do u have to be, bro?” one user wondered.
Torre has not publicly accused the veteran forward or the 76ers of violating NBA rules. His comments also stopped short of suggesting that the helicopter arrangement involves the kind of salary-cap concerns raised in his reporting on Leonard.
The NBA has not publicly announced an investigation into James’ helicopter travel, and no wrongdoing has been established. Torre’s team is still examining the arrangement, although he has not said when or whether that work will result in a published investigation.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.