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[Saba Sports News] With LeBron James’ NBA career likely nearing its conclusion, his longtime manager might soon be looking to challenge the league itself.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Maverick Carter, James’ business manager and close confidant, has been named an advisor to a group of investors aiming to create a new international basketball league to rival the NBA.
The group, which includes several private equity funds, is reportedly seeking $5 billion in funding to establish the league. It would feature six men’s and six women’s teams playing globally.
Charania clarified that James himself is not involved in the initiative. The Los Angeles Lakers star has publicly expressed interest in owning an NBA team after retiring from playing.
Carter, in his 40s, has been part of James’ inner circle since their high school days at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, Ohio. Together, they’ve spearheaded numerous successful ventures, particularly in the media space.
The NBA has not faced competition from a major 5-on-5 basketball league since its merger with the ABA in the mid-1970s.
However, the blueprint for rival leagues is gaining traction, as seen with the recent launch of Unrivaled, a women’s basketball league positioned as a financial competitor to the WNBA.