A clandestine yet high-profile meeting recently unfolded in the opulent setting of Saint-Tropez, gathering basketball luminary LeBron James, his esteemed business partner Maverick Carter, and Miško Ražnatović, agent to the formidable Nikola Jokić. Far from discussions centered on NBA team strategies or player movements, the true agenda of this significant gathering revolved around ambitious plans for an entirely new, potentially disruptive $5 billion international basketball league, an endeavor poised to challenge the global landscape of professional sports.
This groundbreaking proposed Basketball League, primarily spearheaded by Carter, envisions a unique touring format featuring six elite men’s and six equally competitive women’s teams. These squads would collectively journey to eight major global cities, presenting a novel approach to international sports entertainment and expanding the reach of professional basketball beyond traditional boundaries.
Drawing clear inspiration from the success of innovative sports properties like LIV Golf and Formula One, the new league intends to revolutionize player compensation and engagement. A key distinguishing factor is the groundbreaking offer of equity stakes to participating athletes, a model currently prohibited for active players under existing NBA regulations, providing a powerful incentive for top talent. This focus on player equity aims to empower athletes financially.
Adding to the intrigue, Ražnatović, a hugely influential figure within the European basketball scene, subtly hinted at the meeting’s magnitude by posting a photograph on Instagram over the past weekend. Tagged in the luxurious locale of Saint-Tropez, his cryptic caption, “The summer of 2025 is the perfect time to make big plans for the fall of 2026,” ignited widespread speculation across the sports world.
Initially, many observers speculated the Instagram post might signal a monumental on-court collaboration between LeBron James and Nikola Jokić, potentially even implying a move within the NBA. However, multiple sources close to the discussions swiftly confirmed that the high-stakes meeting was entirely unrelated to the current structure or operations of the NBA, firmly redirecting focus to the burgeoning international venture.
Maverick Carter has been actively engaged in pitching this ambitious international sports business venture since earlier this year, reportedly seeking to secure a formidable $5 billion in initial funding. This substantial capital aims to establish a league capable of competing on a global scale, attracting premier talent and establishing a robust operational framework designed for long-term sustainability and growth.
The burgeoning International Sports venture has already garnered significant financial backing from a diverse and powerful consortium of investors. Notable supporters include the Singapore government and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, alongside established financial entities like SC Holdings and UBS. High-profile individual investors, such as Skype co-founder Geoff Prentice and former Facebook executive Grady Burnett, further underscore the serious financial commitment to this innovative Player Equity model.
Despite the growing momentum and significant investment, the proposed Basketball League has not been met without opposition. EuroLeague officials, representing a major European basketball organization, have vocally expressed their reservations regarding the NBA’s expansion talks and the emergence of new rival leagues. EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejūnas publicly stated, “We said to them, like we said publicly, we don’t believe that the new league is something that would help the market,” highlighting potential industry friction. This perspective underscores the competitive landscape of global sports business.
