LeBron James and Kevin Durant back new Futures League
LeBron James and Kevin Durant are backing a new youth basketball league set to launch in April 2027.
New circuit targets top under-18 players
The Futures League announced plans Tuesday to begin play in April 2027. It will feature the top 120 under-18 players across 12 teams representing geographic regions. The season runs from April through August and culminates in a championship game. Organizers aim to replace patchwork summer tournaments with a single professional structure.
Investors fund team entry and equity
The price to buy into a team has been set at $6 million. Investors also receive equity in the league alongside cash payments for players. Jason Stein, the league chairman, stated that players will maintain eligibility for college sports. Current travel leagues sponsored by shoe companies do not allow teams to play each other.
Broadcast plans and NIL framework details
The league intends to secure a media rights deal to broadcast games on national television. Athletes have the option to accept compensation as cash, shares in the league, or a mix of these two forms. High school athletes can compete while playing for their traditional schools in most states. The venture includes partners like Gary Vaynerchuk and Derrick Rose who will run the Chicago team.
All 2 outlets report consistently
No differences in figures, names or dates across these reports.
- ESPN
- Hypebeast
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