LeBron James and Maverick Carter Reportedly Raising $5B for International Basketball League

LeBron James is back in the global hoops headlines—this time linked to a reported push to raise $5 billion for a new international basketball league alongside longtime business partner Maverick Carter.

ESPN first reported in January that Carter was advising a group of investors seeking $5 billion to launch a rival to the NBA, with a format featuring six men’s teams and six women’s teams playing worldwide. At the time, ESPN noted James was not involved.

That status may be shifting. Late July reporting indicated James met in France with Carter and Miško Ražnatović, the prominent European agent who represents Nikola Jokić, to discuss the upstart league. According to AFROTECH, sources say the proposed tour-style competition would travel to eight cities and offer players equity—something not available in the NBA or WNBA under current rules.

Recent funding conversations have reportedly targeted private equity and sovereign wealth. Backers tied to Singapore and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund have been involved, with the concept being compared to models like Formula One and LIV Golf. The league is expected to be a full-time commitment, which could prevent active NBA players from participating unless policies change.

The timeline is already being teased on social. Ražnatović posted on Instagram that “the summer of 2025 is the perfect time to make big plans for the fall of 2026,” a hint that planning now could target a 2026 launch window if the raise and logistics come together.

This all lands as the NBA explores deeper European expansion with FIBA. A recent report from The Guardian describes meetings with U.K. officials and a push toward a Europe-based league, drawing public skepticism from EuroLeague leadership about whether a new top-tier competition would help the market.

On the women’s side, the landscape is already shifting: Unrivaled—a new 3-on-3 league—has paid six-figure average salaries and includes player equity. The Carter-backed concept would expand in scale to include full 5-on-5 play across both genders.