The Basketball League
Current season, competition or edition: 2026 TBL season | |
 | |
| Formerly | North America Premier Basketball |
|---|---|
| Sport | Basketball |
| Founded | 2017 |
| First season | 2018 |
| Owners | Dave Magley Evelyn Magley |
| CEO | Evelyn Magley |
| President | Dave Magley |
| Commissioner | Carlnel Wiley |
| Motto | Where the spirit of the game lives |
| No. of teams | 40 |
| Countries | United States Canada |
| Continent | North America |
Most recent champion | Potawatomi Fire (4th title) |
| Most titles | Potawatomi Fire (4) |
| Broadcaster | TBL TV |
| Website | thebasketballleague |
The Basketball League (TBL), formerly North America Premier Basketball (NAPB), is a professional basketball league. The league began operating in North America in 2018 with eight teams, and has since expanded.
TBL's regular season runs from February through May, and their teams engage in interleague play with franchises of the Basketball Super League (BSL).
History
[edit]Launch as NAPB, 2017–2018
[edit]In July 2017, Dave Magley and Severko Hrywnak announced the formation of North America Premier Basketball (NAPB).[1] Magley previously served as commissioner for the National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC), and Hrywnak was co-founder of the Premier Basketball League (PBL).[1]
The league launched its inaugural 2018 season with eight teams: Albany Patroons, Kansas City Tornados, Kentucky Thoroughbreds, Nevada Desert Dogs, Ohio Cardinals, Rochester Razorsharks, Vancouver Knights, and the Yakima SunKings. The Yakima SunKings defeated the Albany Patroons in a best-of-three series to become inaugural NAPB champions.[2]
Magley purchase and rebranding, 2018–2021
[edit]After the first season, Dave Magley and his wife Evelyn acquired the league as sole owners, and rebranded as The Basketball League (TBL).[3] Paul Mokeski was named commissioner of the league for its 2019 season, which commenced with ten teams.[4] The league's second season was ended prematurely, as many teams were struggling financially.[5] In a rematch from the prior year, the Albany Patroons defeated the Yakima SunKings in a best-of-three series to become TBL champions.[6] Paul Woolpert was fired as Yakima's head coach prior to the final game, as he had protested the team owner refusing to pay for his coaching staff's flights to Albany.[7]
The 2020 season began with twelve teams, but ended prematurely with no playoffs held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] Carlnel Wiley replaced Paul Mokeski as league commissioner prior to this season.[9]
Twenty-nine teams played during the 2021 season, with the Enid Outlaws defeating the Syracuse Stallions in a best-of-three series to capture the league championship.[10]
NBLC dissolution and BSL formation, 2022–2024
[edit]We are a showcase league, trying to provide players with opportunities. We don’t have buyout clauses, so players can leave if they find another opportunity. We provide video and stats, which is important for players who want to go overseas, because those are the two things that you need to get a chance.[11]
National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC) teams engaged in interleague play with TBL franchises during the 2022 season, including the 2022 TBL All-Star Game.[12] Forty-four teams competed that season, and the Shreveport Mavericks defeated the Albany Patroons in a best-of-three series to become TBL champions.[13]
Forty-nine teams played during the 2023 season, with the Potawatomi Fire defeating the St. Louis Griffins in their best-of-three series to become TBL champions.[14]
After the dissolution of NBLC following their 2022–23 season, Dave Magley announced the formation of the Basketball Super League (BSL), whose teams would engage in interleague play with TBL franchises beginning in 2024.[15] The 2024 season saw thirty-nine teams compete, with the Potawatomi Fire once again defeating the St. Louis Griffin in a best-of-three series to win the TBL championship.[16]
Defections to USBL and 94x50, 2025–present
[edit]Following the 2025 season, thirteen TBL teams left to form two rival leagues. The Capital Seahawks, Frederick Flying Cows, Jersey Shore Breaks, New York Phoenix, Reading Rebels, San Diego Sharks, and Virginia Valley Vipers left to form the 94x50 League.[17] The Bakersfield Majestics, Los Angeles Blue Waves, Salem Capitals, Seattle SuperHawks, and Vancouver Volcanoes left to form the United States Basketball League.[17] With their crosstown rival New York Phoenix gone to 94x50 League and no local TBL teams remaining, the Albany Patroons chose to leave the league and go on hiatus.[18]
The departing owners likened the TBL to a pyramid scheme, saying the Magley family had too much control.[19]
The current entry fee for a TBL franchise is $600,000, payable on installment, along with a $10,000 annual fee for officiating.[20] Owners are expected to have annual operating budgets of $200,000 to $300,000, and are entitled to receive 50% of the league's sponsorship earnings through revenue sharing.[20]
Teams
[edit]
Current teams
[edit]| Division | Team | City | Arena | Capacity | Founded | Joined | Head coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Canada | |||||||
| Halifax Hoopers | Halifax, Nova Scotia | Zatzman Sportsplex | 3,000[21] | 2024 | 2025 | Augy Jones | |
| Newfoundland Rogues | St John's, Newfoundland | Mary Brown's Centre | 6,750 | 2021 (in the ABA) | 2026 | Doug Partridge | |
| Port City Power | Saint John, New Brunswick | Rothesay Netherwood School | TBA | 2024 | 2026 | Rob Spon | |
| Tri-City Tide | Moncton, New Brunswick | Crandall University | 600[22] | 2024 | 2025 | Todd McKillop | |
| Central | |||||||
| ADS Sentinels | Converse, Texas | ADS Sportsplex | TBA | 2025 | 2026 | Brian Benjamin | |
| Creating Young Minds Leopards | Little Elm, Texas | Herschel Zellars Early Childhood Learning Center | TBA | Mathis Crowder | |||
| Enid Outlaws | Enid, Oklahoma | Stride Bank Center | 5,000[23] | 2020 | 2021 | Burshaud Williams | |
| Little Rock Lightning | Little Rock, Arkansas | Hall High School | 1,700[24] | 2020 | 2021 | Brian Rowsom | |
| Muskogee Skykings | Muskogee, Oklahoma | Ron D. Milam Gymnasium | 2020 | 2024 | TBA | Lenny Bert | |
| Potawatomi Fire | Shawnee, Oklahoma | FireLake Arena | 5,000[25] | 2021 | 2022 | Mark Dannhoff | |
| Dallas Stampede | Dallas, Texas | Singing Hills Center | TBA | 2025 | 2026 | Ronell Murray | |
| Mid Atlantic | |||||||
| Prince William Heat | Haymarket, Virginia | Battlefield High School | TBA | 2025 | 2026 | William McLaughlin | |
| DMV Soldiers | Charles County, Maryland | St. Charles High School | 2,000 | 2024 | 2026 | Byron Mouton | |
| First State Misfits | Frankford, Delaware | The Factory Sports Inc | TBA | 2025 | 2026 | Andre Mathews | |
| Lehigh Valley Flight | Allentown, Pennsylvania | Lower Macungie Community Center | TBA | 2025 | 2026 | Anthony Jenkins | |
| New England Kraken | Boston, Massachusetts | Kroc Center | 1,135 | 2025 | 2026 | Jason Lombard | |
| Tri-State Admirals | Elizabeth, New Jersey | Saint Elizabeth University | 420 | 2020 | 2020 | Daniel Jacob | |
| Midwest | |||||||
| Columbus Wizards | Westerville, Ohio | Rike Center | 3,100 | 2023 (in the ABA) | 2026 | Bradley Rader | |
| Glass City Wranglers | Toledo, Ohio | Glass City Center | 1,500 | 2024 | 2025 | Ben Scofield | |
| Grove City Whitetails | Grove City, Ohio | Central Crossing High School | 3,100 | 2025 | 2026 | Raevonne Blue | |
| Kokomo BobKats | Kokomo, Indiana | Memorial Gymnasium | 5,200[26] | 2020 | 2021 | Cliff Levingston | |
| Lake County Legacy | Lake County, Illinois | Waukegan High School | TBA | 2024 | 2025 | Henry French | |
| Lebanon Leprechauns | Lebanon, Indiana | Farmers Bank Fieldhouse | 1,000 | 2021 | 2022 | John Benson | |
| Hamilton County Huskers | Arcadia, Indiana | SAC Arena | 3,000 | 2025 | 2026 | Doug Mitchell | |
| St. Louis Griffins | St. Louis, Missouri | Normandy High School Saint Louis Priory School | 3,000
TBA |
2022 | 2023 | Nate Griffin | |
| South Atlantic | |||||||
| Fayetteville Liberty | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Crown Coliseum | 10,000 | 2024 | 2026 | Don Gardner | |
| Jacksonville 95ers | Jacksonville, Florida | First Coast High School | 1,500[27] | 2023 | 2024 | Kevin Waters | |
| Kissimmee Lambs | Kissimmee, Florida | Poinciana High School | 3,100 | 2023 (in the ABA) | 2026 | Edgar Vasquez | |
| Carolina Firebirds | Raleigh, North Carolina | St. Augustine's University | 750[28] | 2018 | 2019 | Kenny Collins | |
| Tampa Bay Titans | Tampa, Florida | Tampa Preparatory School | TBA | 2020 | 2025 | Khali Daley | |
| West | 4 Bears Roar[29] | New Town, North Dakota | 4 Bears Casino Event Center | 1,500 | 2025 | 2026 | Wayne Casey |
| GC Red Tails | Mattawa, Washington | Wahluke High School | 1.800 | 2025 | 2026 | Larry Stepter | |
| Great Falls Electric | Great Falls, Montana | Bison Fieldhouse | 3,600 | 2023 | 2024 | Steve Keller | |
| Tri Cities Sun Devils | Pasco, Washington | HAPO Center | 5,000 | 2025 | 2026 | Marcus Benavidez | |
| Willamette Valley Jaguars | Willamette Valley, Oregon | Corvallis High School Crescent Valley High School McArthur Court | 1,050[30] 1,500 9,087[31] | 2023 | 2024 | John Tyson |
Affiliate teams
[edit]The following teams play select 2026 TBL games to fill out the schedule.
| Team | City | Arena | Capacity | Founded | Joined | Head coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Flight | Davie, Florida | Raiders Center | TBA | 2010 (in the FBA) | 2026 | Mark King |
| Mesquite Desert Dogs | Mesquite, Nevada | travel team | n/a | 2019 | 2026 | Carnel Wiley |
| Memphis Lions | Memphis, Tennessee | travel team | n/a | 2021 (in the MBL) | 2026 | Larry Stepter |
| Mesa Monsoons | Chandler, Arizona | Paragon Charter Academy | 600
2,000 |
2025 | 2026 | Brannon Gates |
Seasons
[edit]| Season | Regular season champion | Regular season MVP | Playoff champion | Playoff runner-up | Playoff MVP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Yakima SunKings | Edwin Ubiles (Albany) | Yakima SunKings | Albany Patroons | Renaldo Major |
| 2019 | Yakima SunKings | Robert Duncan (Yakima) | Albany Patroons | Yakima SunKings | Shadell Millinghaus |
| 2020 | Indy Express* | Corey Taite (Tri-State) | Season canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||
| 2021 | Enid Outlaws | Chance Comanche (Enid) | Enid Outlaws | Syracuse Stallions | Chance Comanche |
| 2022 | Shreveport Mavericks | Deshawn Munson (Potawatomi) | Shreveport Mavericks | Albany Patroons | PJ Meyers |
| 2023 | Potawatomi Fire | Chris Darrington (Glass City) | Potawatomi Fire | St. Louis Griffins | Daylon Guy and Deshawn Munson |
| 2024 | Potawatomi Fire | Daylon Guy (Potawatomi) | Potawatomi Fire | St. Louis Griffins | Deshawn Munson |
| 2025 | Frederick Flying Cows | Javon Adams (Frederick) and Daylon Guy (Potawatomi) | Potawatomi Fire | Capital Seahawks | Ricardo Artis II |
| 2026 | Potawatomi Fire | Potawatomi Fire | Tri-City Tide | Jahmal McMurray | |
* Shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Indy Express had the best overall record at the time of cancellation.
References
[edit]- 1 2 Dill, Jason (July 12, 2017). "Ex-BCS coach Magley launches new pro basketball league". Bradenton Herald. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ↑ "SunKings defeat Albany in best-of-three NAPB championship, 107-92". Yakima Herald-Republic. May 10, 2018. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ↑ "Meet the First Black Female Owner of a Male Professional Basketball League (Not a Team, But a League!)". Black News. July 17, 2018.
- ↑ Martin, Lou (August 17, 2018). "Mesquite (Nevada) Desert Dogs coming back for 2019". Mesquite Local News. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ↑ Martin, Lou (April 12, 2019). "Good and Bad news for Desert Dogs". Mesquite Local News.
- ↑ "SunKings fall to Albany in deciding game of TBL championship series". Yakima Herald-Republic. May 4, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ↑ Thomas, Dave (May 3, 2019). "SunKings fire coach Paul Woolpert in middle of championship series". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ↑ "Albany Patroons and The Basketball League announce season cancellation due to coronavirus concerns". Troy Record. March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ↑ "Carlnel Wiley named TBL commissioner". US Basketball. January 17, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
- ↑ Carlson, Chris (July 25, 2021). "Syracuse Stallions' first year in professional basketball league ends in championship series sweep". syracuse. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ↑ Bembry, Jerry (March 25, 2021). "Behind Evelyn Magley's vision for The Basketball League". Andscape. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
- ↑ "NBL Canada Returns to Celebrate 10th Season with Inter-League Play". OurSports Central. November 4, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ↑ Singelais, Mark (July 8, 2022). "Shreveport breaks through Patroons' Armory streak for TBL championship". Times Union. Albany, New York. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ↑ Buckingham, Dylan (June 28, 2023). "Potawatomi Fire Win The Basketball League Championship". KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ↑ "NBL Canada Teams To Join Basketball Super League". nblcanada.ca (Press release). National Basketball League of Canada. May 11, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ↑ Cox, Chris (June 27, 2024). "Fire Seizes 2024 TBL Title with 119-108 Victory!". Countywide & Sun. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- 1 2 Krieger, Dan (March 9, 2026). "Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report". OurSports Central. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
- ↑ "Albany Patroons say they won't play in 2026". Spectrum News. December 17, 2025. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
- ↑ Hudy, Stan (March 31, 2026). "Schenectady's NY Phoenix changing leagues, without Albany". Daily Gazette. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
- 1 2 O'Donnell, Randy (October 28, 2024). "League president shooting for pro basketball model that works in N.B." Telegraph-Journal. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
- ↑ "Dartmouth Sportsplex". Locations Hub. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ↑ "Tri-City Tide". Tri-City Tide. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
- ↑ "Stride Bank Center". Henderson Engineers. May 31, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ↑ a3_super (March 11, 2024). "Muskogee's Gleaming Cathedral". GH2 Architects. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ "FireLake Arena". Visit Shawnee, OK. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ↑ "Kokomo High School – Kokomo Memorial Gymnasium". Basketball Locations IN Indiana. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
- ↑ Elliott, Jeff (February 26, 2010). "Big moment for First Coast High's boys basketball team". Florida Times-Union. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ↑ "2017-18 Saint Augustine's University Women's Basketball Media Guide" (PDF). Retrieved March 4, 2025.
- ↑ "Pro Basketball League and More Coming to 4 Bears". KX Television. August 24, 2025.
- ↑ "A History of Corvallis High School" (PDF). Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ↑ Swanson, Mirjam (December 31, 2010). "Farewell to venerable McArthur Court from an Oregon alum". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
External links
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