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LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 5:48 am
by California Gold
Wonder if this was always a backup plan once the news of owners not wanting to create expansion teams became news.
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 6:14 am
by zimpy27
I don't think that's just a rumor. That is something I think they're actually exploring with some significant financial backers.
I actually wondered if the NBAs move to talk with euro league was pushed because of this.
Here's first report I saw from January
https://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/43441356/sources-maverick-carter-advising-5b-effort-start-new-basketball-league
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 6:18 am
by Maxthirty
LeCommish
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 7:18 am
by LakersLegacy
It's easy money during summer league. What 50 players could do.
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 8:58 am
by LuDux1
Could work as summer league, it's not like Slovenian NT can sign more than one of them
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 9:29 am
by bonita_the_frog
LOL sounds like a lot of effort for a Summer League. And if LeSummerLeague gets actual NBA players, they'll be harmed by not getting enough rest or training in before the NBA regular season

like playing the Olympics every year...
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 9:31 am
by Kawaii Leonard
Dick Bavetta, out of no where, from the top rope
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 9:31 am
by Lalouie
i already dont like it
wait,,, hmmmm,, does this mean he goes over there? i like it now
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 9:44 am
by mowcrowbar
I guess Bronny has to play somewhere
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 12:03 pm
by Iwasawitness
He can finally pass MJs six championships.
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 12:18 pm
by UcanUwill
If it is F1, games once per week or once per two weeks, and it is summer league, it is not really a league, rather just a stretched out tournament.
If its a league, it should take place over far bigger period of time, and I wonder which players is target demographic, what would salaries be for this, would they target NBA or EL level players?
But it would be interesting concept to have a league where all teams travel to one location, play their games there, then after a week, travel to another location to play round 2 games and so on.
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 12:52 pm
by AleksandarN
It is the main reason why all three were on the yacht together. LeBron Jokic’s super agent and Carter.
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 1:16 pm
by Mamba Mentality
Doesn't sound like his Las Vegas expansion is going as planned so he's using this as a negotiating tactic.
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 1:20 pm
by Duffman100
mowcrowbar wrote:I guess Bronny has to play somewhere

/thread
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 1:23 pm
by TheGeneral99
Weird to start a new basketball league when the NBA has become one of the lucrative sports organizations in the world where player salaries are absolutely insane and increasing every year.
This isn't a league where owners have too much power and players are getting screwed, lol.
The NBAPA is also one of the most powerful player associations we see.
We are already have the Olympics and FIBA to see countries face each other, and majority of the top players overseas come to the NBA anyways.
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 2:27 pm
by mg
Yeah sounds a bit like the LIV Gold model.
Greg Norman and Phil Mickelson made hundreds of millions including their golf apparel lines during their PGA tour careers. They then teamed up with the Saudis to buy a few dozen good golfers to travel internationally in exhibition tournaments similar to F1. It really hasn't taken off in golf but it is more of a niche sport.
I don't see how Lebron can realistically pull it off unless he teams up with some really big money such as the Saudis PIF fund.
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 2:44 pm
by jbk1234
The last person to try something like this was Trump with the USFL and everyone knows how that ended.
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 2:51 pm
by Yank3525
TheGeneral99 wrote:Weird to start a new basketball league when the NBA has become one of the lucrative sports organizations in the world where player salaries are absolutely insane and increasing every year.
This isn't a league where owners have too much power and players are getting screwed, lol.
The NBAPA is also one of the most powerful player associations we see.
We are already have the Olympics and FIBA to see countries face each other, and majority of the top players overseas come to the NBA anyways.
It is not weird if LeBron feels that the other NBA owners won't let him into their club.
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 2:56 pm
by TheGeneral99
Yank3525 wrote:TheGeneral99 wrote:Weird to start a new basketball league when the NBA has become one of the lucrative sports organizations in the world where player salaries are absolutely insane and increasing every year.
This isn't a league where owners have too much power and players are getting screwed, lol.
The NBAPA is also one of the most powerful player associations we see.
We are already have the Olympics and FIBA to see countries face each other, and majority of the top players overseas come to the NBA anyways.
It is not weird if LeBron feels that the other NBA owners won't let him into their club.
When a club is for sale or there is opportunity to buy in, why would he not be allowed?
Jordan owned a majority stake with the Hornets before recently selling it in 2023.
Grant Hill owns a minority stake with Atlanta.
Wade owns a minority stake with Utah.
Magic previously held a minority stake with the Lakers.
Obviously Lebron is richer than everybody above except for Jordan, and will have opportunities.
Re: LeBron rumored to be starting his own basketball league
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 3:29 pm
by liquidswords
I'm not the business savant Lebron is *rolls eyes* but wouldn't it be far more lucrative to invest in an NBA team (expansion or existing) vs starting an obscure league?