USBN to partner and collaborate with NAIA Colleges and Universities across the country.
September 10, 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has signed a three-year partnership with the United States Basketball Network (USBN) as the Official Student-athlete Experience Event Sponsor of the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship.
USBN is a media network dedicated solely to professional basketball in the United States, outside the NBA. The organization promotes professional-caliber basketball teams and players by hosting elite tournaments and contests across the country. This partnership will provide an opportunity for men’s basketball players to potentially play semi-pro basketball after their collegiate career concludes.
“USBN’s focus is on creating more opportunities for graduated college players to stay in America and to continue playing basketball at the next level, professionally,” said USBN President & CEO Brian Caswell. “Working with the NAIA greatly increases our ability to achieve that focus.”
The organization will also seek NAIA member institutions with which to partner for hosting the USBN basketball championship, which takes place at multiple host sites each year. By hosting, the NAIA school will receive a percentage of the event revenue, as well as provide an opportunity to their student-athletes to gain experience in sports management by interning or volunteering at the event.
“USBN provides a great opportunity through which both our member institutions and student-athletes can benefit,” said NAIA President & CEO Jim Carr. “We appreciate USBN’s efforts to expand and support the growth of basketball at a national level. Seeing as the NAIA was the first collegiate association to host a men’s basketball national championship, this partnership is a great fit.”
The current agreement between the NAIA and USBN runs through May 2027.
ABOUT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS (NAIA) The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of small athletics programs that are dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics. NAIA members provide more than 83,000 student-athletes with opportunities to play college sports, earn $1.3 billion in scholarships and compete in 29 national championships. naia.org | @NAIA
ABOUT UNITED STATES BASKETBALL NETWORK (USBN) At USBN, financial stability and fair compensation are at the heart of our vision. We advocate for better pay to ensure players can focus solely on honing their skills and delivering peak performance. Recognizing that the prime age for NBA players is around 26, USBN extends the playing window, offering athletes opportunities to continue their careers and secure contracts with the G-League or other professional leagues, thus ensuring financial security and transformative opportunities.
Central to our mission is the United States Basketball Championship (USBC), our premier event that crowns the true national champion among professional teams outside the NBA. USBN is dedicated to supporting local professional teams and players, who play a crucial role in mentoring the next generation and fostering the growth of youth basketball nationwide. Join us in our commitment to elevating the game and providing lasting opportunities for all players.