Gary Payton II knows the NBA as a champion with the Golden State Warriors – now the Guard also wants to revolutionize the skate scene. Together with the partners Royce Campbell and Sheldon Lewis, the Free Agent founds the Skate Board Association (SBA), a professional, mixed street skateboard league with six teams.
“As a child I spent every free minute on the board. The skate park was right next to the court,” said Payton ESPN. “I wondered: Why is there no league like NBA, NBA or NHL for skateboarding?”
NBA champion as a boss: same payment for women and men
Table of Contents
Each franchise is made up of six athletes – three women and three men – plus reservists and coaches. The special feature: men and women earn identical salaries. According to Payton, top draft picks should advance into the six-figure area, the lowest picks collect solid funds five digits.
Unlike classic contests, in which prize money only flows for podium places, all professionals receive fixed salaries, bonus payments and investments in merchandise proceeds.
Skate League: Some stars already under contract
There are currently 18 skaters under non-exclusive contracts, including Olympic silver medalists Kelvin Hoefler, SLS-Select-Series-Champion Manny Santiago and the X-Games GoldMedallists Ryan Decenzo and Pamela Rosa.
Street icon Samarria Brevard sees an urgently needed protection in the format: “This is a game changer who finally allows us to concentrate on driving,” says the American.
Start of the season in the coming summer
A regular season with ten games is planned, the premiere season is scheduled to take place in Big Bear Lake, California next summer and take six months. A draft in Los Angeles at the end of the year should expand the field to at least 36 professionals.
In the long term, Payton has a nationwide structure with several venues, its own training centers and annual combine.
The SBA is part of a growing number of athletes guided leagues for action and Olympic sports. Snowboard icon Shaun White launched the Snow League in March, athletics legend Michael Johnson started the Grand Slam Track League-the latter failed after three months due to financial hurdles.
Payton is convinced that his model is more sustainable: “Skater risk your body at least as much as basketball players. You deserve the same appreciation – and not just on the podium,” emphasizes the 30 -year -old.
Skate Board Association (SBA): Key Data and Comparisons
To offer a comprehensive overview of the SBA, consider the following table:
| Feature | Details | Comparison to Traditional Skateboarding |
| —————————- | —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— | ————————————— |
| League Structure | Professional, mixed street skateboarding league with six teams, each comprising 3 women and 3 men athletes plus reserves. | Traditional: Individual-focused contests,often with prize money at podium finishes.|
| Compensation | Fixed salaries, bonus payments, and merchandise proceeds for all athletes. Men and women receive equal pay. Top draft picks perhaps earning six-figure salaries. | Traditional: Primarily prize-based earnings for top performers. |
| Inaugural Season | Planned to commence in Big Bear Lake, California, next summer. The season will span six months, with a ten-game regular season. | Traditional: Various competition schedules; not necessarily a structured “season.” |
| Athletes Involved | 18 skaters, including Olympic silver medalists Kelvin Hoefler, SLS-Select-Series Champion Manny Santiago, and X-Games medalists, and others under contract. | Traditional: Athletes compete independently or under team sponsorships. |
| League Vision | Nationwide structure with multiple venues,training centers.Payton aims for sustained growth, believing skaters deserve the same recognition and rewards as athletes in established leagues like the NBA/NHL. | Traditional: Less formal structure in terms of training facilities and consistent competitive platform. |
| Governance & Leadership | Founded by Gary Payton II (NBA Champion) along with royce Campbell and Sheldon lewis.| Traditional: Frequently enough managed and organized by individual event organizers, sponsors, or skating-related organizations. |
| Goal | provide pro skateboarders with a professional organized league like the NBA, the NHL or the NFL, and give the athletes fair pay and financial backing | Less consistency for athletes|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This FAQ section addresses anticipated questions to improve search visibility and provide clarity on the SBA.
Q: What is the Skate Board Association (SBA)?
A: The SBA is a new professional skateboarding league founded by Gary Payton II, Royce Campbell, and Sheldon Lewis. It is a mixed-gender street skateboarding league comprised of six teams, aiming to provide structure and financial stability for professional skateboarders.
Q: How is the SBA different from traditional skateboarding competitions?
A: Unlike typical competitions that primarily offer prize money to podium finishers, the SBA provides all its athletes with fixed salaries, bonus payments, and shares in merchandise proceeds.Furthermore, it ensures equal pay for male and female athletes.
Q: Where and when is the SBA season starting?
A: The inaugural season is planned for big Bear Lake, California, next summer. It will span approximately six months and feature a ten-game regular season.
Q: Who are some of the skaters involved in the SBA?
A: The SBA has already signed several prominent skaters, including Olympic silver medalist Kelvin Hoefler, SLS-Select-Series champion Manny Santiago, and X-Games medalists Ryan Decenzo, Pamela Rosa, as well as icon Samarria Brevard.
Q: Will there be a draft for the SBA?
A: Yes, a draft is planned in Los Angeles at the end of the year. This will expand the field to at least 36 professional skaters.
Q: Why did Gary Payton II start the SBA?
A: Payton, a former NBA champion, recognized the risks and dedication involved in skateboarding and wanted to create a league that gave skaters the same level of respect, structure, and financial possibility seen in major sports leagues. He felt that skaters risk their bodies as much as basketball players and deserve the same appreciation.
Q: What is the long-term vision for the SBA?
A: Payton envisions a nationwide structure for the SBA, including multiple venues, dedicated training centers and an annual combine to discover new talents.
