What is TBL? Feature Story
Have you heard of TBL? America’s New Professional Men’s Basketball League
The Basketball League, or TBL, is a newly formed National Professional League with a focus on positively impacting lives locally. Consistent with that is giving men opportunities to play basketball. Now in the midst of their third season, the league currently has 12 teams stretching from Florida to New York.
Evelyn Magley, CEO, shattered the glass ceiling in an industry dominated by white males by becoming the first Black female owner of a male professional basketball league in the United States. “I am thrilled to start a league that treats our players with the greatest level of respect and thereby impacting our community in a manner that is consistent with our faith, by serving those who need it the most,” said Evelyn.
What makes TBL unique? Aside from the fact that the league owner is an African American woman, TBL offers basketball players an opportunity to make a living playing the game they love, not in Europe or Canada, but right here in America. It is primarily a showcase league giving players who didn’t quite make the cut to play in the NBA another chance to shine. And, if they wish, there are also more opportunities for them to be drafted onto international teams from TBL.
The Basketball League is dedicated to delivering a World Class Professional Basketball experience to the community, the fans, and business partners. Featuring a unique no-buyout clause in it’s contracts, TBL is a stage for the world of basketball. If an athlete receives an offer to play elsewhere for more money, they are simply released from their contract.
“The talent pool for professional basketball is practically limitless,” says David Magley, President of TBL. “We have thousands of guys chomping at the bit to earn their spot on a roster and we want to reward them for their hard work. Of course, we pay them, but we want to prepare them for the next step. We provide our athletes with training on how to manage their finances, offer advice on how to develop their character, and show them the importance of service. If they end up getting an offer to play for a league that can pay them better, then we wish them the best and release them from their contract.”
In addition, TBL provides communities with a professional basketball team that gives an affordable quality family entertainment experience and offers support and encouragement to local communities through engagement in school and group appearances, youth camps, clinics and non-profit organizations.
TBL looks to encourage a family-friendly environment at their games with many games taking place inside local schools, frequent family event nights, and the “Hope Zone”. The Hope Zone is an area in each TBL arena where children with serious or terminal illnesses invite friends and family for an evening of entertainment and fun. Corporations donate tickets, gifts, food and team memorabilia to these children. Evelyn has this and many other ideas on how to best use basketball as a platform for serving families and youth in communities.
TBL also conducts regional combines in order to save young men travel costs involved when registering for larger combines. “We go to them so they don’t have to come to us,” Mrs. Magley said. Once an athlete makes the team, they are then required to give back to the community of that team by becoming engaged in the community initiatives, whether that be through youth basketball clinics, supporting nonprofit initiatives, feeding the homeless, and countless others.
Whether you’re looking for wholesome family fun or the next best basketball player rising from the ranks, The Basketball League offers you another outlet of basketball fun. Through a new platform called SportsCastr, anyone can watch live TBL games and provide their own commentary!
Find a team near you and check out the game schedule at https://thebasketballleague.net/