USBL, CBA, NBDL, ABA....questions

[Jeremy]

I am new to the professional minor leagues and is there really much difference in play between the leagues? Do the players get a set amount for pay each week? Just curious to how this all works out. From what it looks the CBA is probably the best....but anybody who has seen them all what are your thoughts?

[not so fast]

Well I am somewhat biased, but I believe the CBA is the best. The USBL does have a lot of good people involved and has added some CBA coaches this season, so that helps give the league even more credibility.

The NBDL has the so-called backing of the NBA, but you can't really tell it. Obviously, they have good people coaching and have good people involved, but the play seems a little boring and they seem to be more geared for younger college players than an older veteran player.


The ABA is really just plain silly. They continue to add teams yet they don't even get the teams they already have on schedule, up and running. They act like people who are on drugs, and don't see what is really going on with some of their franchises. One thing I know, the people running the USBL and the coaches don't want bad and poorly run franchises, and they don't allow it to happen past a season, like the texas Rimrockers which turned out to be a disaster.

If you want pay information, I suggest you contact league offices.

[Jeremy]

Thanks, at first when the ABA was coming back...I thought they were going to be a good thing, but seemed like it was a joke for a few years now, but just noticed all those crazy expansion teams, sometimes expanding too much can hurt a league too...I wonder if they are just trying to get expansion fees to make up for lost profits?

I didn't know if basketball was public knowledge for pay like in indoor/arena2 football where it was a base pay like all players making $200 a week. Was just curious because if one league payed more, they could probably get the best talent, that is the only reason I asked about the pay.

So far I was happy with attending my first USBL game. Some good talent on our team with former NBA/CBA coach/players. I was actually hoping to get a CBA team instead, but just happy we have some basketball, and what really impressed me is the article in the local paper a couple weeks back had the owner saying he reallu only needs 1,200 (right around, forgot the actual amount) in attendacne to break even, which really isnt bad.

[not so fast]

Well pay can vary greatly, depending on the player, experience, team needs etc....

CBA players average from 300-1100 a week with most averaging around $500-600 a week. USBL averages around $300-400 a week, NBDL has a liitle more complicated system with classifications and pay grades, but i think they average around 500-600 as well.

The ABA might have a few really high paid players like 1000 a week, but then you have some teams that only provided housing and never paid their players anything.


All the leagues do provide housing, including the new Canadien League (OPBA) which I think will be a very good league. This league will provide meals, housing, and pay from 300-400 a week. Which could very well, eventually make them more appealing than the USBL.

What USBL team town are you in?