A new international basketball league is in the works, and the NBA should take notes. What initially seemed to be a mere speculation is finally getting linked with LeBron James. While the NBA TV ratings are already down, this is obviously not a great start to another year for the league.
The idea is backed by an influential group of investors. This group includes Maverick Carter, who is known as LeBron James’ business partner. According to a Bloomberg report, they aim to raise a staggering $5 billion. Their goal is to establish a league that could rival the NBA and WNBA. With advisor Carter at the helm, the ambition behind this venture is clear. Create a serious competitor in the basketball world.
This formidable backing hints at a robust financial foundation that could potentially lure top players away from established leagues. As per the current update, the league’s structure is also noteworthy. It will feature six men’s and six women’s teams that will compete in a global rotation across eight cities, with an innovative schedule inspired by Formula 1 racing. And that looks like something LeBron could have found interesting.
LeBron James’s business partner, Maverick Carter, is reportedly leading a group of investors aiming to raise $5 billion to establish an international basketball league to rival the NBA, per @business.
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 16, 2025
(h/t @FOS ) pic.twitter.com/SSCsiWiyyI
However, launching such a large-scale league comes with its challenges. The sheer size of the investment reflects the high costs associated with player salaries, coaching staff, and operational expenses, especially when aiming to attract high-caliber talent from existing leagues. Competing with the NBA’s lucrative salary structure means this new league would need to offer competitive salaries to entice players. And that could easily exceed $200 million for top teams.
Reports Clarify LeBron James’ Involvement In Establishing Another League
With the ongoing changes in the NBA, various reports link LeBron James to the developments. However, Front Office Sports reported that LeBron James is not participating in an ambitious initiative to establish a new international basketball league. Despite his connections to the project through Maverick Carter, he remains uninvolved.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
As confirmed by sources, Carter is leading an effort to raise $5 billion with the backing of investors and firms like UBS and Evercore. The proposed league aims to operate outside of North America and will reportedly adopt a touring model. While Singapore has been mentioned as a potential location, additional details about franchise cities have yet to be disclosed. Although this is not the first time people have linked James with something major, last year, discussions circulated about him potentially owning an NBA expansion team.
LeBron tells Adam Silver he wants the NBA Las Vegas expansion team (if/when)https://t.co/5zx0t9SJHP pic.twitter.com/J0jxC8Z7bO
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) October 6, 2022
The news came in the wake of the league considering adding franchises in cities like Seattle and Las Vegas. While there are currently 30 teams, interest in expansion is growing due to an expanding talent pool and the need for more opportunities in the league. LeBron has openly expressed his desire to transition from player to owner, aiming to join the ranks of Michael Jordan. His recent investments in teams like the Boston Celtics and the Liverpool FC ownership group show he’s serious about his ambition.
Also Read: Drake Appears To Drop Major Hint About LeBron James Cheating On His Wife Savannah
