Sports leagues in the United States are looking to increase their global footprint these days. The NFL has games in Spain and Ireland this year, to go along with what have become annual games in Brazil and London.
The NBA has also been looking to get involved in the global market recently.
The recently licensed Great Britain Basketball league released the following statement:
“GBB League Ltd. (GBBL) will launch the first season of its new British basketball league in September 2027, coinciding with the anticipated first season of NBA Europe, and to provide sufficient time to work with the British Basketball Federation (BBF), the Home Country Associations and the British basketball community to prepare for the launch of a new elite academy for young players who will represent the future of the Great Britain National Team. Two NBA Europe teams – based in London and Manchester – are expected to compete in GBBL’s new league.”
However, the NBA may have some unforeseen competition coming from none other than LeBron James.
“LeBron James and Maverick Carter are reportedly assembling a group of investors to launch a basketball league that would compete with the NBA, per (Brian Windhorst),” NBA Central reported on Wednesday.
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“At this point, what the US needs anyway is an American league. Focus on American players, youth development, promotion/relegation, no import players,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Bro mad as he should have gotten 10 MVPs if not for the stupid criterias !! Bro starting his own league so that no one as great as him suffers ever again!!” someone else added.
“This is what the sport needs. More leagues outside the NBA to increase the skill gap. We are tired of America being the only country with the best players,” another fan wrote.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens with the league in the coming months and years.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.