The Paris Olympics is delivering on its eternal promise. Fans have access to the best athletes competing against one another spread across 32 sports. There’s no shortage of gripping, rousing action. Arenas are packed to the brim, and fans so far have had a blast. However, their joys have been cut because of the decision to not serve alcohol to fans at such events.

Likewise, several spectators were flabbergasted upon learning of the abstinence. “I think it’s a fundamental part of sports,” a fan said of the regulations to Today. Unfortunately, the Paris law would only allow the Olympics to serve at 10 out of the 700+ events they host. Hence, the panel decided to get rid of it completely. But does a ban from the competition mean the finest wines of Paris can’t be drunk by athletes like Lebron James, who is an aficionado of the relaxing drink?

Well, not exactly. The alcohol ban only prevents fans in the arena from consuming any alcoholic beverages (except in the VIP lounge). For athletes, they aren’t restricted by the law. But they do have to abide by the Village rules. No athlete can smoke or drink in the Village premises. Luckily, LeBron James and the entire USAB have opted to live in hotels away from the Village. Hence, they have no restrictions over the consumption of alcohol outside of the sport’s concerned arena.

And with them being in Paris, a palace for wine heads, serving the most elegant, fine-aged drinks, Team USA took instant advantage of their privilege.

LeBron James leads Team USA to $73000 bill

It’s not just LeBron James who values unwinding with a relaxing glass of wine at the end of a tiring Olympic game. Most of the Team USA players love a good bottle of some of the best wines in the world. And they just so happen to be in the middle of wine paradise. According to the Sun, Team USA requested for some of the most exquisite wines.

The 1985 Chateau Petrus and the Domaine de La Romanee Conti’s finest 2020 Grands Echezeaux were the most lavish wines requested by the players. Each flask of these red wines costs $3000. In total, Team USA ordered four of each, forming a bill of $24,000 just across three bottles.

“They are gonna be able to enjoy some nice glasses in between games and enjoy their time in the city of love with some of its finest wines,” the operations consultant told The Sun.

Just like on the court, LeBron James led the army when it came to ordering wines, too. As someone who takes pride in his wine tastes, the consultant revealed King James being very specific in his requests and taking a dear adoration for red wines. The total bill amounted to $72,800 over all the players of the USAB.

So, LeBron James and others are not restricted the way fans are.