The Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and ACG Sports Pvt. Ltd. have announced the launch of professional basketball leagues for both men and women in India. This initiative marks a significant turning point for basketball in the country, with structured competitive leagues in both 5x5 and 3x3 formats.
The new leagues aim to revolutionize the sport, transforming it from a niche activity into a mainstream pursuit. This development promises to create a comprehensive professional ecosystem, opening doors for athletes across India to pursue basketball as a viable career. The leagues are built upon a foundation of world-class infrastructure, holistic athlete development, and robust community engagement, intending to elevate India's presence on the global basketball stage.
ACG Sports Pvt. Ltd., a division of ACG, a global leader in integrated manufacturing solutions for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, is driving the league. This move is a natural progression of ACG's decade-long investment in grassroots basketball programs. Karan Singh, Managing Director of ACG, emphasized that basketball is more than just a sport; it's a vehicle for building character, leadership, and opportunity.
To steer the league's global strategy and operations, Jeremy Loeliger, the former CEO & Commissioner of Australia's National Basketball League (NBL), has been appointed as Director of ACG Sports. Loeliger will be responsible for developing the league's blueprint, incorporating international standards of governance, competition, and commercial innovation.
The BFI has signed a seven-year deal with ACG Sports Limited, guaranteeing Rs. 216.30 crore for hosting the National Star Basketball League for men and women. This includes Rs. 20.6 crore annually for the 5x5 format and Rs. 10.3 crore for the 3x3 format. The details regarding the teams, structure, venues, and fixtures are expected to be announced soon.
BFI President Aadhav Arjuna has expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting its potential to revolutionize basketball in India by creating career opportunities and financial transformations for players and the BFI alike. He emphasized that 100% ownership of the National Star Basketball League (NSBL) will remain with the BFI.
The BFI's vision extends beyond the professional leagues. It includes multiple-level leagues, such as the National U-23 Pro League for men and women, and National College and School leagues for boys and girls in both half and full-court formats. This comprehensive approach aims to provide abundant opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels, fostering a robust ecosystem for basketball development.
In October 2024, the BFI announced monthly remuneration for the top 20 Category-A men and women players, selected based on their performance in senior national and international tournaments over the past four years. These players will receive Rs. 75,000 each per month. The BFI also plans to include U-16 and U-18 players in the remuneration list in the future.
Historically, the BFI has been involved in organizing training camps and national tournaments and preparing Indian teams for international competitions. The first national-level tournaments were organized in 1934, and India became a member of FIBA in 1936. The governing body was formally established in 1950.
With the launch of these professional leagues, the BFI aims to address infrastructure challenges and provide Indian players with a platform to showcase their skills and achieve financial stability, further solidifying basketball's place in the Indian sporting landscape.
