Doubtful this actually happens ....
LaVar Ball said Wednesday that he's launching a basketball league for nationally-ranked players who have graduated from high school but don't want to go to college.
Ball's Junior Basketball Association, which he says is fully funded by his Big Baller Brand, plans to pay the lowest-ranked player a salary of $3,000 a month and the best player $10,000 a month, Ball said. Ball is looking for 80 players to fill 10 teams that will seek to play at NBA arenas in Los Angeles, Dallas, Brooklyn and Atlanta.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/21827823/lavar-ball-wants-start-league-high-school-graduates
Quote from: Pakuni on December 20, 2017, 01:04:38 PM
Doubtful this actually happens ....
I'm skeptical. Assuming an average salary of $5k/month, that would be payroll of approximately $400k/month got if they 80 players. That wouldn't include cost of other personnel or other costs associated with running the league (travel, equipment, facilities, marketing, etc.).
I have no idea how much money BBB is generating. But this plan seems like a pretty good way to blow whatever money he's making.
Ultimately, I believe a league like this would help make the case that high major MBB is the best (or only) option for elite players. They get free room and board, excellent coaching, great facilities, professional staff, travel and incomparable exposure. Oh, and an education too, if they're into that. I just don't think there is any way to compete with what most D1 programs provide to their MBB players that is financially viable.
And, once they resume letting kids go straight to the NBA, there will be no need for this.
Quote
"We don't need a logo of a guy dribbling," Ball said, an obvious reference to the NBA's famous Jerry West silhouette. "Nobody does that anymore."
Probably the smartest thing that's come out of Papa Ball in several years.
Child labor laws? ;D
I think NBA teams trust the quality of coaching that these guys are getting at most programs. Unless they plan on paying high six figure salaries to coaches, this is just going to turn into the equivalent of another AAU-type of free for all.
What is this mean for MU's lease at the Silk Exotic Entertainment District-FoxConn Arena? We gonna be bumped down?
Quote from: Benny B on December 20, 2017, 01:39:22 PM
Probably the smartest thing that's come out of Papa Ball in several years.
I do think it's funny that even when starting his own league with its own logo, he totally rips off the NBA logo.
(http://jbaleague.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/jbaleaguemaine.png)
Here's the league website. (http://jbaleague.com/)
Wait? Nobody dribbles any more? Damn ... I must be watching the wrong sport!
I'm a little skeptical. But that didn't stop me from sending in my resume to coach one of the franchises.
Honolulu Hoopers, here I come!!
Quote from: Pakuni on December 20, 2017, 01:04:38 PM
Doubtful this actually happens ....
LaVar Ball said Wednesday that he's launching a basketball league for nationally-ranked players who have graduated from high school but don't want to go to college.
Ball's Junior Basketball Association, which he says is fully funded by his Big Baller Brand, plans to pay the lowest-ranked player a salary of $3,000 a month and the best player $10,000 a month, Ball said. Ball is looking for 80 players to fill 10 teams that will seek to play at NBA arenas in Los Angeles, Dallas, Brooklyn and Atlanta.
Those salaries won't be enough to get quality players to fill out a worthwhile league.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/21827823/lavar-ball-wants-start-league-high-school-graduates
Any kid would have to be a total moron to play in this league after seeing the way Lavar tossed UCLA aside when they no longer met his own personal needs.
Alcatraz wood be a good place ta start, hey?
Quote from: 4everwarriors on December 20, 2017, 07:09:55 PM
Alcatraz wood be a good place ta start, hey?
Already spoken for...
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aiFtJb6xt2g/maxresdefault.jpg)
Would be fricking awesome if somehow this league was at least mildly successful.....
- Kids who have no interest in school are not "forced" to go
- Opens up scholarships for kids actually interested in going to school
- Allows kids to make a living doing what they love
- May actually level the NCAA playing field. Maybe.
- Less one and done types in the NCAA's who are not interested in team basketball, thus improving the game
About zero chance this would be successful. Their is no brand connection, no alumni base, no interest from an audience...there would be next to no fans.
There is a reason this wasn't done before.
Quote from: MarquetteDano on December 20, 2017, 11:01:20 PM
Would be fricking awesome if somehow this league was at least mildly successful.....
- Kids who have no interest in school are not "forced" to go
- Opens up scholarships for kids actually interested in going to school
- Allows kids to make a living doing what they love
- May actually level the NCAA playing field. Maybe.
- Less one and done types in the NCAA's who are not interested in team basketball, thus improving the game
Unless you are the kid making 10,000 a month the 3,000 a month isn't going to allow you to make a living in those cities listed.
So I'm going to turn down not having to worry about finding a place to live and where to eat for making $3000 a month in Atlanta, Brooklyn, Dallas, or LA?
Anyone who goes to this will have an even harder reality check than most when you realize how much of that $3000 a month is take home after Uncle Sam and the State dip their hands in.
As already mentioned you have coaches to pay, trainers to pay, doctors to pay, facilities to rent, travel, lodging when teams are on the road, etc. etc. etc.
Quote from: MUMonster03 on December 21, 2017, 03:03:30 AM
Anyone who goes to this will have an even harder reality check than most when you realize how much of that $3000 a month is take home after Uncle Sam and the State dip their hands in.
Thank God for the tax cut.
Quote from: MUMonster03 on December 21, 2017, 02:59:16 AM
Unless you are the kid making 10,000 a month the 3,000 a month isn't going to allow you to make a living in those cities listed.
that 3,000 a month is still a lot more than most college students make.
Quote from: #UnleashRowsey on December 21, 2017, 07:40:32 AM
that 3,000 a month is still a lot more than most college students make.
A full scholarship basketball player in college will live and eat better than a basketball player making $3,000/month in a big city for 6 months/year.
Quote from: CTWarrior on December 21, 2017, 07:46:04 AM
A full scholarship basketball player in college will live and eat better than a basketball player making $3,000/month in a big city for 6 months/year.
Two words: Host Families. And there'll be no shortage of them willing to sign up. Imagine an opportunity to have a potential NBA star live with your family for a year. Personally, it's not my bag, but I bet a lot of people would jump as high as Lavar says for that gig.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but this could actually work. Dislike him or hate him, Lavar's got the star power and notoriety to raise the capital and pull this off.
Quote from: Benny B on December 21, 2017, 09:05:05 AM
Two words: Host Families. And there'll be no shortage of them willing to sign up. Imagine an opportunity to have a potential NBA star live with your family for a year. Personally, it's not my bag, but I bet a lot of people would jump as high as Lavar says for that gig.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but this could actually work. Dislike him or hate him, Lavar's got the star power and notoriety to raise the capital and pull this off.
Since they'd be paid athletes and this was set up by the league, wouldn't they need to report the value of the room and board as income? If so, it would be very different than the tax treatment of scholarship athletes' room and board. They could end up having to pay taxes with money they don't have....
Quote from: GooooMarquette on December 21, 2017, 09:30:23 AM
Since they'd be paid athletes and this was set up by the league, wouldn't they need to report the value of the room and board as income? If so, it would be very different than the tax treatment of scholarship athletes' room and board. They could end up having to pay taxes with money they don't have....
It doesn't have to be set up by the league. The NWSL, the female counterpart to MLS, has similar, non-livable salaries and many of the players stay with host families and I imagine those players aren't being taxed on staying with families, its a volunteer situation.
The league will officially have hit the big time when LaVar starts ripping on the coaches.
Merging this idea with the existing G league actually has merit.
Quote from: tower912 on December 21, 2017, 10:58:32 AM
Merging this idea with the existing G league actually has merit.
Dang. I forgot about the G League. Don't think two minor league systems could both survive, but maybe there is a benefit of rolling the two together.
LaVar May be the second coming of Jackie Moon on this one.
Quote from: Benny B on December 21, 2017, 09:05:05 AM
Two words: Host Families. And there'll be no shortage of them willing to sign up. Imagine an opportunity to have a potential NBA star live with your family for a year. Personally, it's not my bag, but I bet a lot of people would jump as high as Lavar says for that gig.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but this could actually work. Dislike him or hate him, Lavar's got the star power and notoriety to raise the capital and pull this off.
Lavar hasn't accomplished anything outside of hyping up himself through the success of his kids.
This has zero chance of working.
Who is going to watch this?
Quote from: tower912 on December 21, 2017, 10:58:32 AM
Merging this idea with the existing G league actually has merit.
Was talking something similar at work. The idea we decided might work is that if you go out of HS you can play in the GLeague and get partial guarantee contracts. However if you want actual lottery money and to be drafter that you stick to current rules
Quote from: tower912 on December 21, 2017, 10:58:32 AM
Merging this idea with the existing G league actually has merit.
I agree with this. As LaVar is describing it, I simply see no benefit whatsoever for the kids. If money is the issue, head to Europe. There's money to be made over there. If money is not the issue, I'm really having a hard time understanding what advantage this would have over NCAA. Making a very little bit of money in an expensive city, playing in a glorified AAU league in empty arenas versus all that comes with playing for an NCAA program. I just don't get the appeal. Except, of course, endorsements. For a very limited number of these kids, that might tilt the scales. But, as you said, it would make more sense to merge it with the G league.
Quote from: Sultan of Kookiness on December 21, 2017, 11:36:34 AM
Lavar hasn't accomplished anything outside of hyping up himself through the success of his kids.
This has zero chance of working.
If a guy like you is talking about Lavar Ball, then he's certainly accomplished something.
Right. He has hyped himself up.
That doesn't mean he has any idea how to start up something like this. I mean people have been hating on the NCAA for year now. You don't think other people have looked at this idea and said "Uh...no thanks."
Why do people think this guy would make it work? Because he's an unapologetic self-promoter?
Yea I think the fan base is gonna be the biggest problem.
Alumni will still watch their college teams over this and pick any city in the US and I'm guessing they would rather watch their professional team play than a bunch of 18 year olds.
Quote from: ChitownSpaceForRent on December 21, 2017, 03:01:29 PM
Yea I think the fan base is gonna be the biggest problem.
Alumni will still watch their college teams over this and pick any city in the US and I'm guessing they would rather watch their professional team play than a bung if 18 year olds.
Exactly. College basketball isn't star driven. It is driven by alumni and fans schools during the season, and tradition and hope for excitement during the post-season.
Quote from: StillAWarrior on December 21, 2017, 01:29:10 PM
I agree with this. As LaVar is describing it, I simply see no benefit whatsoever for the kids. If money is the issue, head to Europe. There's money to be made over there.
I don't know that your point is correct.
The good Euro leagues do not want young inexperienced high school guys who are planning on staying only for one year. They are not a minor league system.
What will happen is what happened with the Ball kids. They will go to minor teams in tiny little burgs, play with guys (and coaches) who speak no English, and mainly sit on the bench.
Quote from: Sultan of Kookiness on December 21, 2017, 11:36:34 AM
Lavar hasn't accomplished anything outside of hyping up himself through the success of his kids.
This has zero chance of working.
I never want to see his face on TV again - but disagree with what you say.
Lavar is a loud mouthed narcissist, but there are millions of young boys (of all colors) who wish they had a father who was as involved in their lives and who worked for their success as much as Lavar has for his kids.
As far as the league, there is very little chance it will ever work.
Quote from: Sultan of Kookiness on December 21, 2017, 03:08:15 PM
Exactly. College basketball isn't star driven. It is driven by alumni and fans schools during the season, and tradition and hope for excitement during the post-season.
It is absolutely star driven. You will always have alums who will support their team, but the crowds dwindle very quickly once you have no stars (start losing).
Throw back to back 8-20 seasons at MU and watch what happens to the crowds.
Quote from: Jockey on December 21, 2017, 03:27:38 PM
I never want to see his face on TV again - but disagree with what you say.
Lavar is a loud mouthed narcissist, but there are millions of young boys (of all colors) who wish they had a father who was as involved in their lives and who worked for their success as much as Lavar has for his kids.
As far as the league, there is very little chance it will ever work.
LOL. He pulled one kid out of UCLA and pulled another out of high school to sign them with a team in Lithuania. Now neither are eligible to play in college.
That isn't really working for their success.
Quote from: Jockey on December 21, 2017, 03:33:45 PM
It is absolutely star driven. You will always have alums who will support their team, but the crowds dwindle very quickly once you have no stars (start losing).
Throw back to back 8-20 seasons at MU and watch what happens to the crowds.
An 8-20 Marquette team would still outdraw any team in "The Big Baller League."
If there were an actual market for this type of league, someone a lot more capable than Lavar would already been running one.
Quote from: Jockey on December 21, 2017, 03:33:45 PM
It is absolutely star driven. You will always have alums who will support their team, but the crowds dwindle very quickly once you have no stars (start losing).
Throw back to back 8-20 seasons at MU and watch what happens to the crowds.
That's not star driven. That's success driven.
If Duke goes 30-5 and wins the national championship, they will draw the same crowds and TV audience regardless of players like Marvin Bagley being on the team.
IOW, this isn't the NBA where stars drive much of the interest in the league.
Also IOW, people aren't showing up to this Big Ball League just because a bunch of high school starts are playing in it. Otherwise you would see AAU games televised regularly.
Quote from: tower912 on December 21, 2017, 10:58:32 AM
Merging this idea with the existing G league actually has merit.
The BBBG League. It's Fan-tastic.
Quote from: tower912 on December 21, 2017, 10:58:32 AM
Merging this idea with the existing G league actually has merit.
I agree, but in that case the G League wouldn't need to partner with Lavar. I think the one and done rule goes away soonish, but another option is you can get drafted, but have to play in the G League for a year instead of going to college for at least one year.
Quote from: Jockey on December 21, 2017, 03:33:45 PM
It is absolutely star driven. You will always have alums who will support their team, but the crowds dwindle very quickly once you have no stars (start losing).
Throw back to back 8-20 seasons at MU and watch what happens to the crowds.
Thats not star driven, thats win driven. If Marquette went 22-7 with Henry Ellenson there would be a crowd. But if Henry Ellenson had played in Lavar's league and marquette still went 22-7 the same crowd would be at marquette. There would be no one watching Henry play.
Quote from: Sultan of Kookiness on December 21, 2017, 03:41:01 PM
That's not star driven. That's success driven.
If Duke goes 30-5 and wins the national championship, they will draw the same crowds and TV audience regardless of players like Marvin Bagley being on the team.
IOW, this isn't the NBA where stars drive much of the interest in the league.
Also IOW, people aren't showing up to this Big Ball League just because a bunch of high school starts are playing in it. Otherwise you would see AAU games televised regularly.
Duke
never goes 30-5 without the Marvin Bagleys of the world. If they or any other team wanna live with 1 star and 2 star players,, attendance goes down. League revenue goes down. TV contracts go down - hence recruiting budget goes down and the cycle continues.
Now if you want to talk college football - it is a little less star driven. But not completely. Illinois football drew 450,000+ when they were good. This year they drew 275,000. Just as many alumni - so why the small crowds?
I shouldn't have to state the obvious. More stars = more wins = more fans = more $$$$.
Quote from: Sultan of Kookiness on December 21, 2017, 03:41:01 PM
That's not star driven. That's success driven.
Do teams often succeed without star players?
Seems like the two are axiomatically linked (with, I'm sure, an occasional exception).
Quote from: Pakuni on December 21, 2017, 04:54:00 PM
Do teams often succeed without star players?
Seems like the two are axiomatically linked (with, I'm sure, an occasional exception).
If the top tier went to Lavar's league, the next tier would become the most sought after and go to the blue bloods. It's all relative.
Quote from: tower912 on December 21, 2017, 10:58:32 AM
Merging this idea with the existing G league actually has merit.
Better that they merge this with the XFL.