A New Basketball League is Taking Shape: The NABL Looks to Carve Out Its Own Lane
By Paul DeAngelo | ESPN.com
FORMER KENTUCKY FORWARD MARC ANDERSON IS LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING HIS BASKETBALL CAREER WITHOUT PLAYING OVERSEAS
As the NBA continues to solidify its place as the premier basketball league in the world, a new challenger is emerging—not to compete, but to complement. Enter the North American Basketball League (NABL), a fledgling organization set to tip off in the fall of 2007 with a mission: to provide an alternative stage for talented players who fall just outside the NBA's reach.
The NABL is designed to be a proving ground for former college standouts, overseas returnees, and fringe NBA players looking for a second chance. While minor leagues and international circuits have long served as alternatives, NABL executives believe their model offers a unique and necessary bridge between the NBA and the basketball world’s vast talent pool.
Bridging the Gap
In a league filled with players who might have just missed out on the NBA Draft or struggled to find consistent minutes overseas, the NABL sees itself as a second chance for many. “We know the talent is there,” said NABL commissioner Davison Powell. “There are plenty of guys who, for one reason or another, didn’t stick in the NBA but are still capable of playing at a high level. We want to provide them with a legitimate platform.”
Unlike the NBA Development League (D-League), which is directly affiliated with NBA franchises, the NABL aims to function as an independent circuit where teams are privately owned and players are signed without NBA oversight. The hope is that this structure will attract both unheralded college players and veterans seeking a last shot at high-level basketball.
A Fresh Opportunity for Players
One such hopeful is former Kentucky standout Marc Anderson, a 6’9” forward who went undrafted in 2006 and spent the past season bouncing between training camp invites and overseas offers. “I feel like I’ve still got a lot to prove,” Anderson said. “This league could be my way back into the spotlight.”
The NABL is also courting former NBA players who have struggled to find a role in the league. Powell noted that they have had conversations with multiple ex-NBA names, some of whom were cut from rosters due to depth issues rather than a lack of ability.
League Structure and Vision
The NABL will initially feature twelve teams spread across major U.S. cities, with plans for a modest 28-game schedule.. The league intends to use smaller, basketball-rich markets—places like Louisville, St. Louis, and Cincinnati—where fan engagement could be strong without competing against NBA franchises.
The NABL also intends to make it's games easy to watch, whether it be with inexpensive ticket pricing or their free to watch online streaming efforts.
“We want fans to have access to the product.” Powell said.
The financial model is still taking shape, but NABL executives have secured key investors who are eager to test the viability of a mid-tier professional basketball league in North America. While salaries won’t come close to top NBA levels, the league aims to pay enough to keep players from seeking jobs overseas, particularly those looking to stay close to home.
Can It Work?
History has shown that launching a new basketball league is no small feat. Many have tried, and many have failed, whether due to financial instability, lack of viewership, or competition with the NBA. The NABL’s success will likely depend on its ability to carve out a niche that differentiates it from both the D-League and international opportunities.
For players like Anderson, though, the existence of a league like the NABL is already a win. “Not everyone gets drafted. Not everyone has the right agent connections. Sometimes, you just need a chance to show what you can do,” he said. “If this league does what it says it will, I think a lot of guys are going to benefit.”
The NABL is set for tipoff in October 2007. Whether it can sustain itself in a competitive basketball landscape remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: it’s offering players another shot at the dream.
