• Loading stock data...
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Front Office Sports Honors winners are here! View the 2025 winners

LeBron James Not Involved in International Hoops League Effort

A group of investors is looking to raise $5 billion to launch a new international basketball league, Bloomberg reported. LeBron’s business partner Maverick Carter is advising the league, but LeBron is not involved, a source tells FOS.

Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

A group of investors advised by LeBron James’s business partner Maverick Carter is seeking to raise $5 billion to create an international basketball league, Bloomberg reported Wednesday evening.

A source confirmed the effort to Front Office Sports, as well as the fact that Carter is spearheading it—but said James is not a part of it.

Another source told FOS that the league will operate outside North America, but no other details were offered for any franchise locations, with the exception of Singapore. The league was positioned by a third source close to the situation as the “F1 of basketball.”

There’s no target date to unveil the yet-unnamed league.

UBS and Evercore are raising the money, which could come from sovereign wealth funds. The league will have a touring model with six men’s and six women’s teams playing in eight cities, according to Bloomberg.

There hasn’t been a real competitor to the NBA since the ABA, which merged with it in 1976 after the end of a long antitrust suit. The EuroLeague is widely recognized as the second-best basketball league, but doesn’t truly compete for players after they reach NBA eligibility.

The NFL has seen its share of competitors, including multiple forms of the XFL, but none had staying power. The UFL plays in the spring, is in its second season, and is seen as more of a supplementary product than a competitor.

Meanwhile, quite a few new sports leagues have taken on investment from the Saudi Public Investment Fund in recent years, from LIV Golf to the Professional Fighters League.

Carter cofounded The SpringHill Company with James in 2020 after the two childhood friends first launched the UNINTERRUPTED brand that produced James’ show, The Shop. SpringHill—which now produces The Shop and other content—lost $28 million on sales that totaled $104 million in 2023, Bloomberg reported in December. That was on top of a $17 million loss in 2022, and the outlet reported that SpringHill was expected to lose millions in 2024.

“The entertainment market shift in 2022/2023 toward profitability brought rising costs, slower buyer decisions, and impacts from industry strikes, prompting us to recalibrate, including writing off underperforming projects to position ourselves for future growth,” Carter told Bloomberg.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Micah Parsons Traded to Packers, Set to Sign Record 4-Year, $188M Deal

The Cowboys reportedly offered Parsons $40.5 million per year in March.
May 24, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban celebrates after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game two of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center.

Mark Cuban on Why NBA Expansion Isn’t Imminent

Cuban said the next CBA could help solve some expansion issues.
Dawn Staley

Dawn Staley Says She Would Have Left South Carolina for Knicks

Staley says she would have made the NBA leap “for women.”
Puma headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany

Puma Up for Grabs As Largest Shareholder Considers Exit

Reports say the company could be up for sale. Experts aren’t surprised.

Featured Today

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
August 22, 2025

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.

Selig Backs MLB Salary Cap, but Warns Against Labor Fight

The league’s former commissioner cites salary-cap success in other leagues.
August 27, 2025

Keegan Bradley Declines Rare Ryder Cup Playing Captain Role

Bradley did not choose himself with one of his six captain’s picks.
Aug 24, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench against the Minnesota Lynx in the second half at Target Center.
August 27, 2025

Caitlin Clark Still Out With 2 Weeks Left in WNBA Season

The WNBA regular season ends Sept. 11.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
August 26, 2025

NFL Roster Cut Deadline Passes After Backup QB Carousel

Several high-profile backups were traded or signed with new teams.
August 26, 2025

MLB Unveils 2026 Schedule As Big Changes Loom Soon After

Next year’s slate could be among the last in the current format.
August 26, 2025

Masters, Open Championship Offer New Paths for Qualifying in 2026

Winner of select national opens will now earn invitations.
Aug 24, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Scottie Scheffler takes his shot on the first hole during the final round of the TOUR Championship golf tournament.
August 25, 2025

Nine PGA Tour Players Earned More Than $10M During 2025 Season

The 2025 season ended at the Tour Championship on Sunday.