As NBA free agent Gary Payton II looks for his next team, the veteran shooting guard is starting a new business venture.
Per ESPN’s Alyssa Roenigk, Payton is starting the Skate Board Association, a new coed, six-team street skateboard league, alongside partners Royce Campbell and Sheldon Lewis.
Although Payton ultimately became a professional basketball player, he had skateboarding dreams along with his hoop dreams as a kid.
“Growing up, I always wanted to be a skateboarder. The skate park was right next to the basketball court,” he said. “I’d skate there with my friends and they’d skate the park and I’d hoop.”
The first season next summer will have 10 games and will be held in Big Bear Lake, California. Each team will consist of three men and three women, along with reserves and coaches. A draft for the league will be held at the end of the year in Los Angeles.
The group includes 2020 Olympic silver medalist Kevin Hoefler, SLS Select Series champion Manny Santiago, X Games skateboard street gold medalists Ryan Decenzo and Pamela Rosa, and silver medalist Samarria Brevard are among 18 athletes who have signed non-exlusive contracts with the league. Payton noted the league intends to sign at least 18 more athletes.
Athletes will receive salaries and bonuses rather than a purse for winning certain contests. Men and women will also receive equal pay. Top draft picks will get salaries in the six figures, with the lowest picks receiving deals in the mid five-figures.
“I want the skates 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.”