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Ivory CoastFutures Basketball League Prepares 2027 Launch for Top Young Stars
A new league backed by LeBron James and Kevin Durant will launch in April 2027 for the top under 18 basketball players.
Star Backing and New Structure
A new league is targeting the top 120 under 18 basketball players in the United States. The Futures Basketball League plans to launch its first season in April 2027, running through August and ending with a championship.
Big names in the sport are backing the project. Investors include funds started by LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Former NBA star Derrick Rose, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, and investor Gary Vaynerchuk have also bought in. Buy in prices for a team are set at 6 million dollars, which includes equity in the league.
The league will feature 12 regional teams. Players will sign contracts and receive payment from the league through name, image, and likeness deals. They will keep their eligibility for high school and college basketball.
Fixing Youth Development
Currently, the top young players are spread across several summer circuits run by shoe companies. Many of those circuits do not play against each other, meaning the best talent rarely competes on the same court.
Jason Stein, chairman and co founder of the league, said the current setup does not give young players fair value for their NIL or proper coaching structure. Players will be able to take their league pay in cash, equity, or a combination of both.
Derrick Rose will run the Chicago franchise. He is working with Northern Trust to create a financial literacy program for his roster. Rose said he wants players to understand the business side of the sport.
Challenges and Competitors
The league aims to build a commercial product while improving player development. Tom Farrey of the Aspen Institute noted that the current youth basketball system monetizes kids without following proper athletic development principles.
Former promoter Sonny Vaccaro questioned how major sneaker brands will react to the move. Stein noted he has already held productive talks with shoe companies.
Other ventures have tried to change youth basketball before. Overtime Sports launched a paid league, but players had to give up high school and college eligibility. The NBA previously tried programs like the Jr. NBA broadcast and Court of Leaders, but those efforts were either short lived or scrapped.
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