The NBA decided to shutter the team after this season.
The NBA is reportedly shutting down the G League Ignite after the season, per Shams Charania of The Athletic:
“Sources: The NBA is shutting down the G League Ignite team after this season, canceling the development squad of elite draft prospects and veterans that launched in 2020. ”
The NBA launched the Ignite at a point when pre-draft eligible players didn’t have another pathway (In America) to earn money through their play before entering the NBA Draft.
With name, image and likeness (NIL) and the transfer portal now in place in college basketball, the need for a team like the Ignite to exist has been eliminated. NIL allows players to earn money while going to college.
For example, USC basketball guard Bronny James has deals worth over $5 million.
Another example is Colorado football quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who reportedly has an annual NIL valuation of at least $4 million.
Meanwhile. LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne and LSU women’s basketball forward Angel Reese have valuations ranging from $1.5 to 3.5 million.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke at All-Star Weekend last month and said that the Ignite’s future was being evaluated.
“I’m not sure what the future of Team Ignite will be because before I felt there was a hole in the marketplace we were filling,” Silver said. “Now my focus is turning to earlier development of those players.”
About the Author
Peter Sampson has been covering all things sports (with a focus on the Portland Trail Blazers) for more than a decade, most recently hosting “The Pulse with Peter Sampson” in Afternoon Drive for 750 The Game. Prior to that, he hosted an NBA wrap-up show that aired immediately at the conclusion of every Trail Blazers game. Peter had previous stops at Blazer’s Edge and XRAY.FM – where his show “Blazer’s Edge Radio” was named “Portland’s Best Sports Radio” in the 2017 Willamette Week reader’s poll. When he’s not telling the stories of your favorite sports team, Peter can be found recording the next garage rock classic in his basement studio, whipping up an authentic Italian meal in the kitchen, or trying to figure out the appeal of Minecraft with his 9-year-old son in the living room.
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