New league?

[Crow]

This is a redo with a different style. Maybe the last one.

Other basketball leagues have been created and announced but not as a long seasonal national league.

Could a potential work stoppage create an opportunity for a new major League to get rooted? Or slowness on expansion in the face of great demand?

I've talked occasionally about a new league and changes for it. It only makes sense with massive effort. Media partner, corporate sponsor, deep pocket long-term investors. Either to stand alone or try for another merger.

Here are some conceptual details (probably too many but whatever) for a new league tentatively called the New Basketball Game (NBG).

Should the league gain the necessary partners, play might be projected to begin in 2024 or 2025.

A 8-16 team league. Play could be a regular full length season, perhaps starting earlier than NBA. OR it could perhaps take place in the months of November thru February.

Games might be scheduled only on Thursdays thru Saturdays. Teams will play 2 games per week. Games likely will be streamed on internet, though local, regional and national cable partners are welcome.

If the league had an every game really matters, condensed format, maximizing playoff focus, there would be 2 tournaments: November-December for the fall title and January-February for the winter title. 12 game round robin phase followed by playoffs of only the best 4 records. Playoffs will be best out of 3.

No pre-season. 40 minute games with a 4 minute official timeout in the middle of each quarter. Fouls are 1 shot and the ball back. Only 1 team timeout per quarter plus 1 more for final 2 minutes of game. Intentional fouls will have a penalty.

The court would be at least 20% shorter than in the NBA. 2 more feet on baseline under the basket to encourage use of baseline moves. 1 designated player on offense and defense is exempt from the 3 seconds in the paint rule. The intention is to call 50% less fouls than in the NBA but officials shall call as many as needed to protect players and integrity of the game. Ejections will only be for improper / dangerous play.

Play is 4 on 4. Teams will have 8-10 players. Contracts will run for 1 season's season only. There will be a salary structure and cap. Pay will be for regular season participation and team results (and some individual leaders).

3pt line moved back to 25 feet with no reduction from that standard in the corners. Dunks are worth 3 points.

Officiating shall be by 2 officials. 1 on court and 1 seated at mid-court. Official on court is tasked with being primary for calls on the ball. The official at mid-court primary for calls off the ball. Positions rotate at half. Each official on the court may over-rule the other up to 4 times per game if they feel they had a better / more correct call, inline with league standards. Disagreement in last 4 minutes will be settled alternatively if agree can't be reached within a 2 minute replay window.

Bids would be sought from cities, companies and individuals, especially in Seattle, Las Vegas, Vancouver, San Jose, Riverside, San Diego, Austin, Kansas City, Louisville, Richmond, the Research Triangle cities in NC, Nashville, New Jersey, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Omaha and Birmingham.

Play would be scheduled in appropriate available gyms
(mostly college or civic, high school if necessary). The revenue model is primarily digital media and merchandise with box office assuming a lesser role, at least initially.

Equity structure to be determined between league investors / sponsors, media partners, team ownership groups and players who meet multiple season participation and performance criteria to be determined.

It is expected that in early seasons, most players will be those not making NBA rosters and not wishing to play in G league for G league wages or go overseas. All players will be given an NBA out for free or a modest price. Initial pay levels will be determined according to league start-up funding in 1st year and revenue projections based on first year performance. If pay can't be at least 2-3 tines G league, the league will not be formed.

If there was an NBA work stoppage, an attempt to sign up large numbers of NBA players could be attempted if ambition / funding permitted. That would go a long way toward earning legitimacy.

Players may be 17 and older but youth is not given any special advantage or preference.

Teams will travel once every 2 weeks to a pair of road games in regular season. Only 1 practice per week. Head Coach, 2 assistant coaches, 1 trainer and 1 team manager. Health insurance but no other medical staff or direction.

Inaugural fall season will have a 6 round in person draft at 3 minute intervals followed by 2-4 more free agent signings on 1 per day interval between 2-3 pm EDT. In spring, the fall teams may offer 25% more fixed salary than other teams but
It is player's choice. Players only go thru draft once and then are forever free agents. Newcomer drafts held before each following season of 4-6 rounds TBD later.

No trades.

Departures from teams for any reason will be filled from a 10 player waiting list of those offering services as picked by league or any other player a team wishes to and is able to sign (except someone who has departed the league for any reason other than a league certified injury during that particular season).

Team uniforms will be picked by a joint group of team personnel and team fans. Fan submissions will be highly encouraged and selections will be reviewed at least every 2 years.

Official team blogs and podcasts will be developed, though alternates are permissible.

Streamcasts will consist of at least 1 fan (standard or rotated) and no more than 1 team designated lead. Broadcast partners, if and as such are added, can do what they want but are encouraged to mainly use periodic but not continual commentary and minimal play by play announcing.

Teams are encouraged but not required to host pre and post game activities and media, at game site or close by. Player and team staff attendance is encouraged but not required. Players may sell autographs and authorized personally selected merchandise besides jerseys and keep 100% of the revenue. Shoe deals are encouraged by 100% player decisions.

A centralized analytics staff could be responsible for all data collection and distribution. A limited number of eyes only analysis will be offered to each team at their direction.

Ownership will be vetted by league officials to a moderate level. Proposed owners ("partners") can be rejected by 40% of equity holders. Ownership dismissal at current valuation as determined by league approved arbitrator requires a 60% vote.

In case of financial difficulty leading to departure of any equity partner without a sale, remaining partners shall assume those vacated equity shares at their current equity rate. Troubled teams may or may not continue.

Any team debt beyond initial league venture capital is solely the responsibility of that team. No team debt can pledge any material or intellectual property or equity in league as collateral.

First season equity and sponsorship decisions would be completed at least 6 months before season. Teams must deposit full budget for year in designated escrow by 4-6 months before season. No extensions for any reason ever.

The first meeting on potential equity partners is could be scheduled by mid 2023 if sufficient interest warrants.

If interest does not warrant, this idea will die… at least until the next CBA comes to an end. But maybe I give it up.

Opportunities for dialogue with existing and proposed leagues shall be open if they are serious, in good faith and productive.

Lots of potential leagues announced and changing. What the heck, there's mine.

I don't expect real response, real effort. But with such a large $ market, I have a hard understanding why no one will try for a big piece. A network leading could really shake up NBA TV contract renewal, as a bluff or as a real walk away from massive right increases.

If anyone has interest and capability, DM me.

Otherwise this was just conjecture / performance art.

[Crow]

I really think a network that wants pro basketball but doesn't get it, should consider a rival offering to NBA.

I'll wait a bit before going into these old details and or a new different design.

But imo there could / should be appeal to create owned league / carriage rights, new cities, different salary scale, etc. As a long-term thing or as a start-up / merger with NBA rights deal.

Only do it as or with a network partner and only if willing to invest hundreds of millions or even billions but some entities could do this. If not media alone, with investment banks / hedge funds / sovereign capital / team investors and / or a 50-100+ billionaire.

[Crow]

Original post has a lot of minor detail. Some I'd rethink or eliminate.


New picture, I'd emphasize 8 teams, most or all of which would be considered more likely NBA expansion cities.

If go for it, would probably need to compete for couple of MLE level guys per team and probably at least a few stars in league to start and try to get enough attention to possibly make it work.

Re-packaging the broadcast elements well would be essential. Personnel choices are very important. Demographic targeting, if any, could make or break it.

I still like the idea of 2 tournaments per year but the season lead-ins would probably need to be longer.

I still like 4 on 4 but it is not essential. Focus group the concept and trial look before deciding.

It would be a gamble, but I think it could work with and only with a strong network, right design & management.

League would need a better name than my first suggestion.

Deeper 3pt line and 3 points for dunks I'd keep.

Add medical staff back, though maybe as consultants.

This would be a full, far more expensive league, not as part-time / small scale as originally considered for a specific point of time.

[Crow]

One mini-idea would be a 3-4 weekend tournament in late April and early May for draft prospects only.

Probably 3 on 3, half court. Maybe 30 minutes. Get it on and get out TV package.

Prospects get TV visibility and some pocket cash before or over current non-paid draft evaluation games.

If and only if a network was interested. If and only if top or pretty top draft prospects could be enticed. Maybe try to get agency buy-ins, at least some of them, possibly with equity in the product or at least first crack at the advertising deals.

[Crow]

A prospect tournament might have insurance concerns. Some accept injury risk or just looking less than strong now but I guess few in the top end.

Maybe 15 minute 1 on 1 games in a tournament would entice some at right price.