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SportsLeBron James Plans Helicopter Commute from NYC to Philadelphia, Following Jens Lehmann Model
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Following his blockbuster transfer from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Philadelphia 76ers, NBA superstar LeBron James reportedly plans to live in New York City and commute to Philadelphia by helicopter, a strategy compared to former German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. Lehmann, during his time at VfB Stuttgart, lived near Munich and flew by helicopter to training to save time and be with family. The 150-kilometer flight between New York and Philadelphia takes about 45 minutes, versus 90 minutes by car. James would not be the first Sixers player to do this; J.J. Redick commuted from Brooklyn during his tenure, and Wilt Chamberlain also lived in New York while playing for Philadelphia. NBA insider Shams Charania noted that this commuting option made Philadelphia more attractive to James.
Source report
It is questionable whether basketball megastar and soccer fan LeBron James (42) has ever heard the name Jens Lehmann (56). And yet, the two could soon be mentioned in the same breath.
James shocked the NBA with his blockbuster transfer from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Philadelphia 76ers. Now, reports indicate he could live in New York and commute to Philadelphia by helicopter. Meaning: LeBron wants to do it like Jens Lehmann. Yes, no joke. You read that correctly.
Background: Lehmann's Helicopter Commute
During his active career with VfB Stuttgart from 2008 to 2010, Lehmann lived with his family in Berg am Starnberger See, about 30 kilometers southwest of Munich. For the roughly 250-kilometer route to training, the former goalkeeper flew by helicopter to Stuttgart several times. This allowed him to save time and spend more time with his family. However, Lehmann did not commute daily by helicopter to Stuttgart training; he later also drove by car.
Jens Lehmann at the Sport-Bild Awards 2025 ceremony. Photo: picture alliance/dpa
Back to LeBron: The Commute Details
A flight between New York City and Philadelphia takes about 45 minutes over a distance of roughly 150 kilometers. The biggest advantage: time savings. By car, the same trip would take about 90 minutes. Charter companies already offer this connection regularly, flying from several heliports in the New York City borough of Manhattan to various landing sites in Philadelphia.
Also Wilt Chamberlain and J.J. Redick Commuted from New York to Philadelphia
Interesting: LeBron would not be the first Sixers player to take on this commute.
- J.J. Redick, his coach last season with the Lakers, regularly commuted from his family's residence in Brooklyn to Philadelphia during his time with the 76ers from 2017 to 2019.
- Wilt Chamberlain, basketball legend, did something similar decades earlier: During the season, he lived in New York, played for Philadelphia, and simultaneously ran a nightclub in the New York City borough of Harlem.
Philadelphia will be LeBron's new sports home – but where he will actually live has not yet been announced. Several basketball insiders reported on X about the megastar's helicopter commuting plans. NBA insider Shams Charania even explained that the possibility of living in New York and flying by helicopter to games and training made Philadelphia a more attractive destination for James.
Source
BILD - SportWestern
Part of this Story
LeBron James Plans Helicopter Commute Like Jens Lehmann After Blockbuster Transfer