May 19, 20214 yr The is a pre G League professional option, perhaps to bring everything above board. (Maybe?) An alternative to amateur sports in the USA. Exploring the World Model. This sounds like something that would happen in Dallas or Tampa (IMG), but in Dallas all of the public school coaches and AAU coaches would probably burn the facility to the ground. Overtime Elite building basketball facility in Atlanta for top prep players A new basketball league created for standout high school players is building a state-of-the-art facility in Atlanta. Also under construction: the high-level hoopsters set to join the league, which offers another possible avenue to the NBA. Overtime Elite announced Wednesday that it is constructing a 103,000-square-foot complex where prep players will train, study and compete. The new league markets itself to top-notch players between 16 and 18 years old with promises of an academic education and a six-figure salary. It's another potential route to the NBA besides college, the developmental G League or heading overseas. Last month, the league hired a head coach in Kevin Ollie, who led UConn to a national title in 2014. Scheduled to start in September, the league will feature 30 players -- yet to be named -- all living and playing in Atlanta. Overtime Elite was launched through the sports media company Overtime, which counts among its investors rapper/songwriter Drake and NBA players such as Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets, Carmelo Anthony of the Portland Trail Blazers and Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks. "Overtime Elite is a welcome addition to Atlanta's rich sports tradition, elevating the city as a global center for basketball development and a cultural hub for people of all backgrounds," Young said in a statement as the Hawks head into the postseason as a No. 5 seed. Each player is guaranteed a minimum salary of at least $100,000 a year, along with signing bonuses and shares in the company. They will also generate revenue from use of their name, image and likeness, in addition to sales of custom jerseys, trading cards, video games and nonfungible tokens. One caveat: Their college eligibility would be forfeited. The city of Atlanta was selected after a yearlong search. The facility will be located in the Atlantic Station neighborhood, which is near the Georgia Tech campus. "The city's storied basketball history, diverse population, vibrant business community and rich culture make Atlanta a city where OTE wants to make a commitment as an active contributor to the community," Overtime Elite commissioner and president Aaron Ryan said in a news release. Added Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms: "We look forward to welcoming the next generation of basketball stars to our city." https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31472011/over-elite-building-facility-atlanta-top-prep-basketball-players
May 20, 20214 yr Author 1 hour ago, ChickenSandwich said: Is there an audience for more sub NBA leagues? Well, the NCAA is wildly popular and I recall watching LeBron James play high school ballon ESPN. If these kids are eligible to play in college, this league will have people watching players who have their college in their “Top 20”... “Sweet 16”... “Dirty Dozen”... “Top 10”... “Elite Eight”... “Lucky Seven”... “Fab Five”... “Final Four”.... If they are eligible to “take their talents to______” so that “they can build their brand”... People will watch. No one has a vested interest in the G league because no one has a connection to those teams and those players have no say in where they are going.
May 20, 20214 yr It’s very confusing. Is that 30 players on one team? Is it split like JV and varsity? Or is it like 4 teams of 7-8 players? Who exactly are they playing? I could see it work if it were regional like there’s a California team, Texas, south east, Midwest and north east, maybe a Canadian team etc. then you’d have local interest .
May 20, 20214 yr I think they will split into teams among the 30 players, but also play various international and other non-NBA pro teams. Seems like an American Idol type thing where they are competing against each other but all strengthened by being part of the OT brand. I like that they aren't exactly taking aim at the G League or the NCAA. Sure, some marquee players will go to Atlanta as opposed to one-and-done at Kentucky or wherever, but it's not like UK fans will notice. And the G League will remain a place for NBA teams to stash their longshots.
May 20, 20214 yr 27 minutes ago, Bartles said: competing against each other but all strengthened by being part of the OT brand. This sounds like a recipe for shitty basketball.
May 20, 20214 yr 2 hours ago, longhornmatt said: Going from a national champion head coach at UConn to signing up for an experimental “professional” AAU team in only a few years - without any scandal tainting him - is pretty amazing. You’d think he was Dave Bliss or something. I believe he has a show cause.
May 20, 20214 yr 21 hours ago, ChickenSandwich said: Does anyone watch the G league? Is there an audience for more sub NBA leagues? Fuck no. they are trying to lock in kids to get a share of their money if they make it big.
May 20, 20214 yr 1 minute ago, ChickenSandwich said: Ahh. So they get a cut of any future contracts? Through representation, yes.
May 21, 20214 yr Author 2 hours ago, SwanderedTalent said: I'll take that bet If they are eligible to “take their talents to______” so that “they can build their brand”... People will watch. If they aren’t, they won’t. People watch high school football and the McDonald’s All-American game. No one watches the G league. I don’t know if the kids will be eligible to play in college. Why don’t you work on that and report back to us.
May 21, 20214 yr 27 minutes ago, Napoleon said: If they are eligible to “take their talents to______” so that “they can build their brand”... People will watch. If they aren’t, they won’t. People watch high school football and the McDonald’s All-American game. No one watches the G league. I don’t know if the kids will be eligible to play in college. Why don’t you work on that and report back to us. Or you could just read the article and see that they won’t be.
May 21, 20214 yr Author 7 minutes ago, formermav43 said: Or you could just read the article and see that they won’t be. Right now
May 21, 20214 yr 10 hours ago, Napoleon said: People watch high school football and the McDonald’s All-American game. Silly comparison one, and no they don't, two. Both of those things get miniscule television ratings.
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