LeBron James’ Manager Enlisted as Adviser for New Hoops League Aiming to Rival NBA

In a bold move that could shake up the basketball landscape, Maverick Carter, LeBron James’ trusted business manager, has been enlisted as an adviser by a group of investors aiming to raise $5 billion to launch an international basketball league that would directly rival the NBA.

The story, first reported by Bloomberg and later confirmed by ESPN’s Shams Charania, reveals that the investment group, which includes several private equity funds, is looking to create a league featuring six men’s teams and six women’s teams, playing games across the globe.

While Carter’s involvement brings the immediate association with James, sources tell ESPN that James himself is not directly tied to this new venture. However, the timing of this move is interesting.

James, who has made no secret of his ambition to become an NBA owner after his playing days are over, has a player option for the 2025-26 season, and his eventual ownership aspirations could hint at a larger vision for his post-basketball career.

Still, this new league does not appear to be part of that vision — at least not for now.

The group is reportedly seeking to tap into private equity and sovereign wealth funds to raise the $5 billion needed to launch the project.

But as Bloomberg points out, the current NBA rules restrict private equity funds to owning no more than a 20% stake in any NBA team, and they are prohibited from serving in governing roles.

This potential rival league could offer these funds more influence and control, giving them a stake in shaping the future of global basketball.

Historically, the NBA has not faced significant competition from a rival 5-on-5 league since the 1970s, when the American Basketball Association (ABA) folded, with four of its teams — the Pacers, Nets, Nuggets, and Spurs — absorbed by the NBA.

The WNBA, meanwhile, was briefly challenged by the American Basketball League in the 1990s before that league folded after just two and a half seasons.

This is not the first time we’ve seen competition arise in the basketball world. This season, the 3-on-3 league Unrivaled has begun to make waves, attracting some of the WNBA’s top stars, though notably Caitlin Clark, one of the most exciting rookies in women’s basketball, opted not to participate.

It could be a ways off, and not to get caught up in hyperbole — but with this new league potentially on the horizon, it’s clear that the world of basketball could be in for another notable shift.

• More NBA Rumors | All coverage from Hoops Wire