Gary Payton II Launches New Skateboarding League
Gary Payton II, currently a free agent in the NBA following his stint with the Golden State Warriors, is stepping into the world of skateboarding by establishing a new professional league. This initiative is part of a broader trend where athletes are creating their own leagues to sustain year-round engagement in action sports and the Olympic arena.
Introducing the Skate Board Association (SBA)
The newly formed Skate Board Association (SBA) will feature six coed teams, each consisting of both male and female skaters. The league is set to launch its first season in the summer of 2024 at Big Bear Lake, California, with a total of ten games scheduled.
Payton II announced his collaboration with partners Royce Campbell and Sheldon Lewis, sharing that skateboarding has been a passion of his since childhood. He recalls the proximity of a skate park to the basketball courts where he spent his youth.
“As a kid, I always aspired to be a skateboarder. I would skate while my friends used the park, and I played basketball,”
Payton II said. Upon learning of his partners’ plans, he questioned why skateboarding lacked a professional league comparable to the NFL or NBA, expressing ambition to revolutionize both sports.
Equitable Pay and Athlete Security
Beyond serving as the owner of one of the teams and taking on the role of director of VIP relations, Payton II is keen on ensuring equitable pay for athletes within the league. Each of the six teams will field three male and three female competitors, and all team members will earn consistent wages. Additionally, the league has already secured non-exclusive contracts with a diverse group of 18 athletes, including Olympic medalists and X Games champions like Kevin Hoefler, Manny Santiago, Ryan Decenzo, Pamela Rosa, and Samarria Brevard, who noted the league’s potential to enhance athletes’ security and focus on their sport rather than financial pressures.
The SBA promises its participants a unique model compared to traditional skate contests, providing salaries and performance bonuses rather than merely prize payouts. High-performing athletes can expect significant compensation, with top draft selections slated to earn six-figure incomes while the lower-tier picks may receive mid five-figure salaries. Payton II aims to bolster the league further, planning to recruit at least 18 additional athletes prior to the upcoming draft in Los Angeles.
Context and Future Aspirations
Contextually, the SBA joins a series of recent attempts to streamline and unify the competition landscape in action sports. Earlier initiatives include Shaun White’s The Snow League, aimed at snowboarders and freeskiers, and Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track League, which unfortunately ceased operations after just three months due to financial difficulties. Also on the horizon is the X Games League, aimed at teams featuring both skateboarders and BMX riders, set to debut next year.
Looking ahead, Payton II envisions the SBA growing into a league modeled after the NBA, with multiple venues and annual draft combines, underscoring the physical toll skateboarding takes compared to other sports. He advocates for recognizing skaters’ contributions and ensures they receive adequate sponsorships and resources to support their well-being and families.
Inaugural Season and Community Impact
The inaugural season will unfold in Big Bear, recognized for its ideal conditions for action sports, with future expansions planned for other cities.
“We are thrilled to have the SBA join our mountain community where action sports thrive,”
Travis Scott, CEO of Visit Big Bear, expressed. Payton II believes this venture will resonate with numerous athletes who have past connections to skateboarding, creating a nostalgic sense of participation.
“Owning an SBA team is reminiscent of playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater and selecting your squads and sponsors,”
he concluded.
The groundbreaking nature of the SBA is meant to provide athletes with new opportunities while celebrating the culture of skateboarding within a more structured professional setting.
