While awaiting his next NBA destination, a free agent 2022 Golden State Warriors champion has founded a new league this summer.
But there’s another catch — it’s in another sport entirely.
According to ESPN’s Alyssa Roenigk, defense-first reserve guard Gary Payton II has founded a coed, six-team skateboard league, dubbed the Skate Board Association, with his partners Royce Campbell and Sheldon Lewis. The new SBA’s debut six-month, 10-game season will tip off next summer in Big Bear Lake, California. Payton is slated to serve as the new league’s director of VIP relations, and an one of one of the teams.
Roenigk reports that the SBA intends to expand to other locations in the years to come. Roenigk notes that there will be three women and three men to each club. 18 skaters — including Olympic silver medalist Kelvin Hoefler — have already been signed to nonexclusive deals with the SBA.
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“Growing up, I always wanted to be a skateboarder. The skate park was right next to the basketball court,” Payton said. “I’d skate there with my friends and they’d skate the park and I’d hoop.”
Payton notes that he was surprised to hear that there wasn’t already a league before.
“I was like, ‘Why hasn’t there been a professional league like the NFL, NBA or NHL for skateboarding?'” Payton said. “‘Let’s change the sports game and the skateboard game.'”
As for Payton’s future, it appears Golden State is interested in a reunion.
Per Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, it is anticipated that Golden State will re-sign Payton — after the club figures out restricted free agent power forward Jonathan Kuminga’s contract future.
“I want the skaters to be valued, and to get them the right sponsorships so they can take care of their bodies, take care of their families, buy their own crib,” Payton said. “If I can change the game for them, that’s a win.”
Visit Big Bear CEO Travis Scott spoke about the SBA’s decision to hold its inaugural season in Big Bear.
“Big Bear has always been a natural home for altitude training and action sports, and we’re excited to welcome the SBA as they set their sights on our mountain community,” Scott told Roenigk.
Payton, a skating aficionado as a kid (he’s the son of Hall of Fame former Seattle SuperSonics point guard Gary Payton), wants to build out the skating world.
“A lot of athletes in football, basketball, they skated growing up and had to put down their boards to play their sport as a professional,” Payton said. “But they still have that feel of wanting to be a skater.”
Last year with the Warriors, the 6-foot-2 Oregon State product averaged 6.5 points on .574/.326/.711 shooting splits, 3.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.8 steals in 62 contests (11 starts). He has spent parts of five seasons with Golden State. Payton has also suited up for the Washington Wizards, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers.
“To be an owner of an SBA skate team is bringing us back to playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater, picking the guys, picking the brands to skate for,” Payton said. “So many people have that connection to skateboarding.”
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