Professional basketball players have yet another career option to consider when the BSL launches across Canada and the United States next year.
The 2023 All-Star Game for The Basketball League last weekend in Easton, Pennsylvania resulted in another bright spot for the league thanks to Team Grant defeating Team Blake 161-135, with Terrell Brown of the Wichita Sky Kings named the Player of the Game after finishing with 23 points, six rebounds, and four assists. As players from the West Conference, Central Conference, Midwest Conference, and Northeast Conference shined during the 3-point Shootout, Slam Dunk Contest, and All-Star Game, it was the big news from the league that’s stealing the show following All-Star Weekend with a shared announcement from TBL and NBL Canada.

The birth of the Basketball Super League (BSL) is officially official, with the Euroleague model hitting the court in the US and Canada in 2024 and giving professional basketball players another option to start and continue their careers on the court.

This past February at the TBL Draft Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, TBL President David Magley shared the good news with Team Market Owners and front offices in attendance of the formation of the BSL over the next three to five years. Needless to say, the excitement in the room was palpable with the thought of a model that would elevate the level of play (and pay!) across the current TBL model. And while the launch of BSL next year is certainly arriving sooner than some anticipated, the decision to create a “Super Cup” structure complete with relegation is right on time for players eager to showcase their talents for NBA, NBA G-League, and also upper echelon teams internationally.

Here is the full press release from The Basketball League on the Basketball Super League…

////

KITCHENER, ON – TBL — has unveiled the details of a new league that position it as the option of choice for basketball fans outside of markets served by the NBA and NBA G League. The Basketball Super League (BSL) will be a premium league bringing together the best-performing players and teams from TBL and beyond, with 10 to 12 teams in markets including New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, New Foundland, The Maritimes, Ontario, and Quebec City.

“The BSL will be a top league that players aspire to get into and stay in longer – a true destination league,” explained league CEO Evelyn Magley, adding: “the season will begin earlier and last longer, the venues will be larger and the players’ wages will be higher, with no salary cap.”

The new league has already drawn the attention of major national sponsors, and an international broadcast partner with reach into countries across the world. Negotiations with these partners has begun, with further details to be announced soon.

“This new league, with the sponsors and broadcast partners we are in discussion with, represents a tremendous business opportunity for our market partners,” explains TBL/BSL President David Magley.

“Like European premier sports leagues it is modeled on, the BSL will allow teams to play more games at home than away, providing for more revenues and leveraging the scale of TBL. Our model is to help create profits in-season right away, making us unique in pro sports.”

TBL also announced an agreement with sponsorship marketing partner Sport Media Marketing inc. The partnership will see the company forge sponsorship marketing opportunities between brands in the U.S. and Canada. In order to maximize visibility and opportunities for TBL and partner brands, they will create a new, dedicated digital network and a 360• offering TBL prides itself on its strong connection to community and commitment to helping its players become fully-rounded individuals.

////

Further reading on the Basketball Super League

New Basketball Super League branded as best on continent outside NBA

New ‘Super League’ eyes pro basketball in Maritimes

London Lightening evaluating whether to join new basketball ‘super league’

 

Wendell Maxey is the author of Around The Basketball League and has written about professional basketball and sports for 20 years. He’s been featured on NBA.com, ESPN.com, USA Today, FOX Sports, and SLAM Magazine among other publications and media outlets. You can connect with him on Twitter and LinkedIn or read through his archive on Linktree.