The Basketball League

Launch as NAPB, 2017–2018

In July 2017, Dave Magley and Severko Hrywnak announced the formation of North America Premier Basketball (NAPB).^[1] Magley previously served as commissioner for the National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC), and Hrywnak was co-founder of the Premier Basketball League (PBL).^[1]

The league launched its inaugural 2018 season with eight teams: Albany Patroons, Kansas City Tornados, Kentucky Thoroughbreds, Nevada Desert Dogs, Ohio Cardinals, Rochester Razorsharks, Vancouver Knights, and the Yakima SunKings. The Yakima SunKings defeated the Albany Patroons in a best-of-three series to become inaugural NAPB champions.^[2]

Magley purchase and rebranding, 2018–2021

After the first season, Dave Magley and his wife Evelyn acquired the league as sole owners, and rebranded as The Basketball League (TBL).^[3] Paul Mokeski was named commissioner of the league for its 2019 season, which commenced with ten teams.^[4] The league's second season was ended prematurely, as many teams were struggling financially.^[5] In a rematch from the prior year, the Albany Patroons defeated the Yakima SunKings in a best-of-three series to become TBL champions.^[6] Paul Woolpert was fired as Yakima's head coach prior to the final game, as he had protested the team owner refusing to pay for his coaching staff's flights to Albany.^[7]

The 2020 season began with twelve teams, but ended prematurely with no playoffs held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[8] Carlnel Wiley replaced Paul Mokeski as league commissioner prior to this season.^[9]

Twenty-nine teams played during the 2021 season, with the Enid Outlaws defeating the Syracuse Stallions in a best-of-three series to capture the league championship.^[10]

NBLC dissolution and BSL formation, 2022–2024

National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC) teams engaged in interleague play with TBL franchises during the 2022 season, including the 2022 TBL All-Star Game.^[12] Forty-four teams competed that season, and the Shreveport Mavericks defeated the Albany Patroons in a best-of-three series to become TBL champions.^[13]

Forty-nine teams played during the 2023 season, with the Potawatomi Fire defeating the St. Louis Griffins in their best-of-three series to become TBL champions.^[14]

After the dissolution of NBLC following their 2022–23 season, Dave Magley announced the formation of the Basketball Super League (BSL), whose teams would engage in interleague play with TBL franchises beginning in 2024.^[15] The 2024 season saw thirty-nine teams compete, with the Potawatomi Fire once again defeating the St. Louis Griffin in a best-of-three series to win the TBL championship.^[16]

Defections to USBL and 94x50, 2025–present

Following the 2025 season, thirteen TBL teams left to form two rival leagues. The Capital Seahawks, Frederick Flying Cows, Jersey Shore Breaks, New York Phoenix, Reading Rebels, San Diego Sharks, and Virginia Valley Vipers left to form the 94x50 League.^[17] The Bakersfield Majestics, Los Angeles Blue Waves, Salem Capitals, Seattle SuperHawks, and Vancouver Volcanoes left to form the United States Basketball League.^[17] With their crosstown rival New York Phoenix gone to 94x50 League and no local TBL teams remaining, the Albany Patroons chose to leave the league and go on hiatus.^[18]

The departing owners likened the TBL to a pyramid scheme, saying the Magley family had too much control.^[19]

The current entry fee for a TBL franchise is $600,000, payable on installment, along with a $10,000 annual fee for officiating.^[20] Owners are expected to have annual operating budgets of $200,000 to $300,000, and are entitled to receive 50% of the league's sponsorship earnings through revenue sharing.^[20]

Current teams