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The Basketball League
North American basketball league From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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).
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History
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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: the 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]
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]
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]
—Evelyn Magley, CEO
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]
The current entry fee for a TBL franchise is $600,000, payable on installment, along with a $10,000 annual fee for officiating.[17] 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.[17]
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Teams
Halifax
Tri City
Lightning
Fire
Clutch
Breaks
Phoenix
Crusaders
95ers
Seahawks
BobKats
Legacy
Leprechauns
Iron Horses
Griffins
Majestics
Jaguars
Electric
Sharks
Super Hawks
Volcanoes
Bighorns
Capitals
Blue Waves
Base locations of teams in The Basketball League. Colors represent conference alignment as of the 2025 season.
Current teams
Future teams
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Former teams
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Seasons
* Shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Indy Express had the best overall record at the time of cancellation.
Notes
References
External links
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