Bill Simmons Fuels Rumors: Could Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James Headline a $5 Billion NBA Rival League?
Sportswriter Bill Simmons doubts ESPN taking over Inside the NBA from TNT (Image Source: Getty)
The NBA rumor mill has brought up a sensational speculation this June, as prominent sports commentator
Bill Simmons
has suggested that
Los Angeles Lakers
star
LeBron James
could be the headline act for a proposed $5 billion international basketball league poised to rival the NBA.
The rumor, amplified by Simmons' recent podcast discussions, has become the talk of the moment through basketball circles and raised questions about the future of the sport's global landscape.
The Vision: A Global, Star-Studded League
According to Bill Simmons, a group of investors—reportedly seeking to raise $5 billion—aims to launch a high-profile league featuring six men's and six women's teams playing in major cities around the world. The league's format would be reminiscent of Formula 1, with teams traveling to international hotspots like Singapore and Monaco, staging multi-day events that blend games with concerts and entertainment.
This ambitious model is designed to create a festival-like atmosphere, making each stop a must-see global event.
LeBron James: The Ultimate Draw
OKC Boredom, a Rival NBA League and 'The Rehearsal' with Chuck Klosterman | The Bill Simmons Podcast
Central to the intrigue is the potential involvement of
LeBron James
. While LeBron James has not publicly commented on the rumors, Bill Simmons claims that Maverick Carter—LeBron's longtime friend and business partner—is serving as an adviser to the project and is 'dangling LeBron' as a major selling point to attract investors.
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Carter's involvement lends credibility and has fueled speculation that James, now 40 and still performing at an elite level, could either play, serve as an ambassador, or take an equity stake in the new league.
Bill Simmons speculates that the league is targeting aging superstars—players like James and
Kevin Durant
—who might be enticed by lucrative offers and the chance to shape a new chapter in basketball history. For James, whose NBA future is in flux as he nears the end of his playing career, such a move could be both a legacy-defining and financially transformative opportunity.
A Real Threat to the NBA?
The NBA has not faced a serious 5-on-5 rival since merging with the ABA in 1976. The proposed league's mix of global reach, co-ed teams, and entertainment could present the most significant challenge in decades. While the NBA's annual revenues now exceed $11 billion, and its stars command salaries north of $50 million per season, the allure of equity, international exposure, and new business models could tempt even the league's biggest names.
No official timeline or team locations have been announced, and James' direct involvement remains unconfirmed. Yet, the presence of Maverick Carter and the scale of the investment have given the project unprecedented momentum. If LeBron James does indeed headline this venture, basketball could be on the cusp of a new era—one that redefines the sport's power structure and global appeal.
Also read:
Magic Johnson's Blunt Message to Luka Doncic: 'In Los Angeles Lakers, We Expect Championships—Talent Isn't Enough"
For now, the basketball world waits, watching to see if this bold vision becomes reality—or remains just a tantalizing rumor.
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