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[Saba Sports News] An ambitious plan to create a basketball league to rival the NBA may have more momentum than expected.
Back in January, reports surfaced that Maverick Carter, LeBron James’ longtime business manager, was helping lead a group of investors aiming to launch a new international league. The proposed league would feature 12 teams (six men’s and six women’s) playing games worldwide, with a $5 billion fundraising goal.
On the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Bill Simmons shared a notable update, revealing that the bid appears to be legitimate and backed by serious financial power.
“When I first heard about it, I thought it was bulls–t,” Simmons said. “Everything I’ve heard is that it’s kind of real. I don’t know if they have all the money yet, but they have enough.”
Simmons speculated that if the league could convince five to seven NBA stars to join once their contracts expire, it could gain traction. He noted that Luka Doncic is locked in until 2026, implying that such a shift wouldn’t be immediate but remains possible.
While challenging the NBA seems unlikely—the league earns over $11 billion annually, with teams valued between $4-$5 billion each —Simmons has a strong track record of insider information. Even though he was skeptical at first, he now believes the effort is real, making this an intriguing development to watch.