January 27, 2021 [Cleveland, OH] — The Professional Collegiate League (PCL) today announced that Alan Major will serve as the Head Coach of the DC Stealth. A veteran leader on and off the court, Major brings over 20 years of collegiate coaching experience to the PCL. Additionally, Greg Oden will serve as Major’s Assistant Coach for the DC Stealth.

On his decision to become the first head coach in the PCL, Major said, “I’m excited to accept the position to lead the DC Stealth. The PCL has a chance to be a terrific option for elite college basketball players. The League is striving to be the solution to many of the current issues surrounding the collegiate game. For me, the exciting thing about the PCL is knowing David West [PCL Chief Operating Officer] for almost 20 years and watching his passion for the game grow. He has a vision for the League and wants to develop it the right way.”

PCL COO David West stated, “Coach Major knows and loves the game. Throughout his career, he has continued to positively impact young people through teaching and coaching the game. The PCL is lucky to have him leading our DC team.”

Alan Major previously served as the Head Coach at UNC-Charlotte from 2010-2015. Major also served as an assistant coach at University of Texas (women’s team, 2018-2019), the Ohio State University (2004-2010, 2016-2017), Xavier University (2001-2004), University of the Pacific (1995-1998, 1999-2000), Southern Illinois University (1998-1999), and California Lutheran University (1992-1995). Major has coached and developed numerous players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft, including Mike Olowokandi, David West, Greg Oden, Mike Conley, Jr., Evan Turner, Kosta Koufos, Byron Mullens, and Daequan Cook.

Greg Oden, the first player selected in the 2007 NBA Draft, played three seasons in the NBA for the Portland Trailblazers and Miami Heat. Oden also played for the Jiangsu Dragons in the Chinese Basketball Association, Scarlet & Gray in the The Basketball Tournament, and the Aliens after being selected 9th overall in the Big3 Draft. Oden serves on the Advisory Board of Edyoucore LLC, an organization that educates, equips, and empowers individuals in sports and entertainment to make better financial, business, and lifestyle decisions. Oden received a Bachelor’s Degree from the Ohio State University in Spring 2019. 

PCL CEO Ricky Volante stated, “It’s been great getting to know Alan and Greg throughout this process. David’s respect for Alan pushed him to the top of our interview list early in the process, and his track record in recruiting, coaching, and developing elite talent jumped out to me. In a moment of serendipity, I’d just met Greg at an event when Alan mentioned him as a key target for his staff. We’re very excited to have this duo leading the DC Stealth, and more importantly, we think that prospective recruits will be excited to play for them.”

You can hear more from Ricky, David, Alan, and Greg on the latest episode of the PCL’s Forward, Thinking podcast, which will be released today on all major podcast platforms. 

The PCL is the first collegiate basketball league to enable athletes to directly benefit from their talent, marketability, and hard work by offering an education and compensation in a US-based basketball league free of academic and economic exploitation. In short, the PCL is college sports reimagined. The PCL will also be releasing its Baltimore team name and brand later this week. 

Stay up to date on the PCL by following the league on social media.

Twitter: @the_pcleague

Instagram: @thepcleague

MEDIA CONTACT:

Wendell Haskins

Chief Marketing Officer

Professional Collegiate League

press@thepcleague.com

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On Wednesday, the sports world awoke to breathless reports that the NCAA Board of Governors had finally opened the floodgates and would allow college athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness rights. Instead, Wednesday’s announcement from the NCAA was ultimately all smoke and no fire. The hype was fueled by an NCAA PR call for the media, in which they talked a good game but then left all the less-than-rosy details for a thirty-one-page document that few seem to have read in detail. 

At the PCL, we have enough institutional experience to know that nothing the NCAA claims can be taken at face value. The place to look for the devilish details is in the actual report released, which outlined the following:

• The Model Won’t Change: “No desire for changes to NIL rules that would undermine the Association’s model of amateur intercollegiate athletics.” The bold is not added for emphasis, that’s how it appears on Page 6 of the report. In plain language, the NCAA made it clear that no rules would be recommended that “would undermine, or fundamentally change, the NCAA’s overall model of amateur intercollegiate athletics.”  Allowing athletes “uncapped” third-party payments cannot be squared with maintaining that model, and so the only logical conclusion is those uncapped payments won’t actually come to pass.

• Congressional Protection Needed: “The Presidential Subcommittee on Congressional Action has identified distinct legal impediments to the Association’s ability to modernize its rules related to NIL and to maintain the model of intercollegiate athletics generally. Therefore, the subcommittee has put forward a number of recommendations for Board consideration in engaging with Congress, including to seek preemption of state NIL laws.” In other words, some of the recommendations are likely illegal and will therefore require protection from Congress in the form of an antitrust exemption. And by “some” they mean all of the recommendations related to payment to athletes for their athletic NIL value. That is, all of the good stuff. 

• Congressional Intervention Also Needed: The recommendations do not go as far as the state NIL laws that have been proposed and/or passed, so Congress is needed to strike those down while also granting an antitrust exemption.

• Tethered to Educational Expenses or Incidental to Participation: These legal terms of art were created in O’Bannon v. NCAA, and have a great deal of legal significance in ensuring the continuation of an amateurism model. Aware of this, one of the “guardrails” emphasized in the report was, “To assure that any proposed legislative solutions kept in mind that student-athlete benefits must be tethered to educational expenses or incidental to participation.” Tying endorsements to education with an exception for activities incidental to athletic participation is incredibly limiting on the value of any such agreement for an athlete. For example, what is the educational tether for appearing in a Coca-Cola or Pepsi commercial?

• Potential Areas of Conflict: “In addition, an institution would have discretion to prohibit a student-athlete’s involvement in particular name, image, and likeness activities, as defined by the institution (e.g., areas that conflict with institutional values, conflicts with institutional arrangements).” 

• No Inducements and Limiting Value: “Protecting the recruiting environment and prohibiting inducements to select, remain at or transfer to a specific institution.” For those that don’t know, prior to making a recruiting decision is often when an athlete has the most value and leverage. Taking away that window of opportunity severely limits their earning potential. 

• No Group Licensing: Don’t expect a college football or basketball video game any time soon. In discussing the player’s associations that represent the athlete bargaining units in professional leagues and the Olympics, the report noted that “the absence of similar legal structures in intercollegiate athletics greatly complicates the NCAA’s ability to pursue a group licensing approach similar to the modules used in the professional context.” For the vast majority of college athletes, group licensing would be the primary source of any revenues related to name, image, and likeness. 

• Potentially No Shoe or Apparel Deals: Tucked away on Page 31, the report asks the NCAA to consider “[w]hether certain categories of third-party businesses (e.g., athletics shoe and apparel companies) should be precluded from, or have limited participation in, the newly permitted activities, due to their history of encouraging or facilitating recruiting and other rules infractions.”  For elite basketball athletes, this would be cutting off access to six-figure endorsement deals, even seven-figures in certain cases. This is also the single most valuable category for athlete endorsement agreements. 

Ultimately, nothing changed Wednesday, regardless of what the headlines say. And the chance of things changing when the next NCAA dog and pony shows comes to town is slim as well, given they’ve told the world they need Congress to grant them antitrust immunity or else no athletic NIL rights. Like all of amateurism, this proposal is a con. Don’t fall for it. 

March 24, 2020 [Cleveland, OH] — The Professional Collegiate League (PCL) today announced that Wendell J. Haskins has joined its leadership team as Chief Marketing Officer. Haskins brings over 20 years of experience in entertainment and sports marketing and proven success in leveraging key relationships with media networks, labels, studios, and major league sports organizations, including the NBA, MLB, NFL, USTA, and The PGA of America, to drive business strategies. In this new position, Haskins will lead marketing and public relations efforts at an important and exciting time as the PCL transitions from concept to reality.  

“Wendell is an exciting and necessary addition to the PCL leadership team; his past experience in sports marketing coupled with his long-standing relationships and extensive network will be invaluable to the league as we grow,” said Ricky Volante, Co-Founder and CEO of the PCL. “We look forward to benefiting from Wendell’s expertise in talent relations, brand activation, event management, strategic partnerships, and diversity and inclusion initiatives as we work to reshape the future of collegiate athletics.”

As founder of Original Tee Inc., Haskins conceptualized “The Original Tee Classic” and has managed the annual event since 1999, benefiting the National Minority Junior Golf Scholarship Association and numerous other charities. He also served as Senior Director of Diversity and Inclusion and Director of Sports & Entertainment Marketing for The PGA of America where he implemented marketing strategies to recruit athletes and celebrities of color to be advocates for golf and player development, including NBA players Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Alonzo Mourning, Julius Erving, Otis Birdsong, former MLB player Gary Sheffield, actor Dondrè Whitfield, and others. Prior to working for The PGA of America, Haskins served as Creative Director and Player Development Consultant at the NBA, where he was instrumental in training incoming players in the Rookie Transition Program, as well as in leading the creative process and managing the staff responsible for dressing the performers of the NBA’s “All-Star Saturday Night,” with an international TV audience of 10 billion. He also incorporated all NBA licensed apparel and branding into nationally televised productions of the NBA, which included commercials, marquis events, and the NBA All-Star Game halftime show.

The PCL is the first collegiate basketball league to enable athletes to directly benefit from their talent, marketability, and hard work by offering an education and compensation in a US-based basketball league free of academic and economic exploitation. In short, the PCL is college sports reimagined.  In April, the PCL will unveil the league’s first team name and insignia.

Media Contact: Sarah Bray, Sarah@InnovantPR.com, 832.226.2116

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The Professional Collegiate League, Global Sport Institute at Arizona State University, and SO’B Productions to Co-Host a Panel Discussion on the Future of Collegiate Athletics During the 2020 Final Four in Atlanta

March 04, 2020 [Cleveland, OH] — The Professional Collegiate League (PCL) is coming to Atlanta on April 5th to discuss a better, professional opportunity for collegiate athletes around the Final Four and Championship games. As college basketball players, coaches and fans gear up for the national championship game, the PCL will be co-presenting a panel discussion with the Global Sport Institute at Arizona State University and Soledad O’Brien Productions. Industry leaders from across the nation will gather in Atlanta to discuss the future of collegiate athletics and the PCL’s critical role in defining that future. The PCL will also be unveiling the league’s Atlanta-based team name and insignia at the event. 

The PCL is the first collegiate basketball league to enable athletes to directly benefit from their talent, marketability, and hard work by offering an education and compensation in a US-based basketball league      free of academic and economic exploitation. In short, the PCL is college sports reimagined.

WHO: The panel will consist of award-winning journalist and producer and PCL Advisory Board member Soledad O’Brien, ESPN’s Bomani Jones, PCL COO and NBA Champion David West, and PCL CEO and Co-Founder Ricky Volante. It will be moderated by Kenneth Shropshire, CEO of Global Sport Institute at Arizona State. Focusing on the historical, societal, economic, and legal issues in collegiate athletics, attendees will hear from these industry professionals who bring a wealth of talent and experience in the business of sports.  

WHEN: Sunday, April 5th, 2020; 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Loudermilk Conference Center, 40 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30303

WHY: As the discussion of compensating college athletes continues to progress, Atlanta offers the perfect venue to host a discussion on the future of college sports. Not only will the Final Four tournament be a gathering spot for the who’s who of college basketball, Atlanta is one of the eight cities in which the PCL will launch its inaugural season.

RSVP TODAY: https://pcl-atl-panel.splashthat.com/

The event is free and open to members of the public. 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sarah Bray

Innovant Public Relations

Sarah@InnovantPR.com

832-226-2116

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Cleveland, OH – November 12, 2019 – The Historical Basketball League (HBL) is pleased to announce the addition of documentarian, journalist, speaker, author and philanthropist, Soledad O’Brien, to the league’s Advisory Board. Comprised of influencers from various industries critical to the long-term success of the HBL, the Advisory Board includes experienced leaders in technology, finance & investment, sports, media & content, legal, and academics. Soledad O’Brien is the newest member of the HBL Advisory Board and will work closely with the HBL Executive Team to provide critical input on decisions related to overall strategic planning and execution of the HBL’s mission and vision.

Ricky Volante, CEO and Co-Founder of the HBL remarked, “Soledad brings passion and grit to every effort she commits to and we are so pleased to welcome her to the HBL Advisory Board.  Her extensive experience and knowledge, as well as her long-standing relationships in the media industry, will be invaluable as the HBL moves into the next strategic growth stage. Soledad's efforts to give under-represented and exploited individuals a voice, as well as her dedication to upholding human and civil rights, fit perfectly with our overall mission to create a fair and equitable college basketball model that rewards its athletes for their efforts, rather than exploiting them.”

Soledad O’Brien is the CEO of Soledad O'Brien Productions (SO’B Productions), a multi-platform media production company dedicated to telling empowering and authentic stories on a range of social issues. In addition to leading SO’B Productions, she anchors and produces the Hearst Television political magazine program Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien and reports regularly for HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel and PBS’ NewsHour. O’Brien has appeared as an anchor or contributor on all three major networks and was the face of CNN’s morning news shows for many years. She also anchored the CNN documentary unit where she created the In America documentary series.  O’Brien is the Philanthropy Editor of Worth Magazine and is also the author of two books, her critically acclaimed memoir The Next Big Story and Latino in America.  She speaks on a variety of social issues at college campuses and corporate events.  

On joining the HBL Advisory Board, O’Brien said, “I'm honored to be part of the Advisory Board of the HBL because I think there’s an important conversation to be had on how best to reform the system—that uses promising young athletes but fails to compensate them. As a storyteller I know the public is ready for a conversation about the rules that govern college athletes, and where those rules can be improved. I'm thrilled to join their team of courageous athletes, sport pioneers and innovative leaders at such a critical juncture.”

The HBL is the first professional college basketball league to enable athletes to directly benefit from their talent, marketability, and hard work by offering an education and compensation. The league is shifting the landscape of collegiate athletics by offering salaries up to $150,000 per season, in addition to 5-year guaranteed scholarships, along with allowing its athletes to fully commercialize their name, image, and likeness without restriction. 

With backing secured from over a dozen investors from a range of industries and backgrounds, the HBL is preparing to launch its 2021 inaugural season in eight cities: Philadelphia, Baltimore, District of Columbia (D.C.), Richmond, Norfolk, Raleigh, Charlotte, and Atlanta. The HBL expects to finalize its domestic media partnership in the coming weeks and will then shift its focus to hiring head coaches and securing an apparel partner, as well as continuing to engage and recruit 4-star and 5-star prospects.  Expect more exciting news from the HBL, including updates on coaches, players, team names and logos, as well as further details on team and league sponsorships and partnerships.

Press inquiries for interviews, additional facts, and images should be directed to press@hbleague.com. To keep up to date, follow the HBL on Twitter (@hb_league) and Instagram (@hbleague).

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Sarah Bray

Innovant Public Relations

Sarah@innovantpr.com

832.226.2116

Cleveland, OH – October 3, 2019 – Ricky Volante, CEO of the Historical Basketball League (HBL), and David West, COO of the HBL, today announced the addition of several new members to the league’s Advisory Board and Athlete Advisory Board.

The HBL is the first professional college basketball league. The HBL will compensate and educate athletes, allowing players to directly benefit from their talent, marketability, and hard work without having to sacrifice their educational opportunities or leave the United States.  As the HBL transforms from concept to reality, it is disrupting the amateurism model and shifting the landscape of collegiate athletics. As a result, the HBL’s Executive Team places great importance on the role of the HBL’s Advisory Council (Advisory Board, Athlete Advisory Board, and Academic Advisory Board).  Comprised of influencers from various industries critical to the long-term success of the HBL, the Advisory Council includes current and former elite college and professional athletes, experienced higher education professionals, and leaders in sports marketing and management.  Members of the HBL Advisory Council bring vast experience in the fields of technology, finance & investment, sports, media & content, legal, and academics. 

The HBL Advisory Board works closely with the HBL Executive Team to provide input on decisions related to overall strategic planning and execution of the HBL's mission and vision.  New to the HBL Advisory Board are Damon Jones – former Senior Director of Player Development at the NBA; Ameesh Paleja – Founder of Atom Tickets and Chief Technology Officer at OfferUp; Manny Ojobaro – Finance Manager at CapitalG; and LJ Kwak Yang – leadership and business developer, entrepreneur, investor, and former Googler. 

“We are very excited to announce our new Advisory Board members.  Damon, Ameesh, Manny, and LJ bring significant expertise in fundraising, media content creation and distribution, sports sponsorships, and college and professional basketball,” said Ricky Volante.  “We are thrilled that they have joined the HBL Advisory Board and look forward to the many ways in which they will leverage their experience and resources to provide the league with strategic guidance as we transition into the next critical growth phase, which includes finalizing our media and apparel partnerships, hiring coaches, recruiting players, and much more.”

Damon Jones said, “In the 19 years that I have worked with elite collegiate and professional athletes, one of my main goals has been to ensure athletes are given ample mentorship and support. I am impressed with the unique resources the HBL has in place to help empower college basketball players on and off the court, and I am excited to be a part of this movement that will greatly enrich each player’s experience. Focusing on the players' individual development and using basketball as a means to shape their off-the-court aspirations will maximize their opportunities now and in the future.”

“It’s an exciting time to be joining the HBL Advisory Board.  My hope is to compliment the already talented HBL Executive Team with my experience in the tech and media spaces, as they lay the groundwork to launch the league’s inaugural season and connect with basketball fans across the country,” said Ameesh Paleja.

Joining the HBL Athlete Advisory Board to counsel the Executive Team on matters critical to the experiences of athletes in the HBL and serve as mentors to the league’s players are: Chekesha Johnson – actress, model, and former basketball player at the University Arkansas at Pine Bluff; Emily Hu – world record setting powerlifter and medical device researcher; and Nadia Eke – Ghanaian Olympic triple jumper.  

Regarding these additions, COO David West said, “We are excited to welcome Chekesha, Emily, and Nadia to our Athlete Advisory Board.  I'm proud that the HBL is taking a leading role in providing athletes rarely afforded and meaningful opportunities to engage in the management and ownership of sports.  I look forward to more pro athletes taking advantage of the HBL’s multiple options for involvement, whether as a league investor, advisory board member, or team ambassador."

Chekesha Johnson added to West's sentiments saying, "As a former college basketball player, I am pleased to be part of executing a vision that will change the status quo and allow college athletes to be justly compensated for their significant contributions.  As a Millennial, I want to change the future for the next generation of athletes.  I look forward to working with this incredibly seasoned and talented group of current and former professional athletes as we pave the way for the future of college athletes."

Emily Hu stated, “As a former professional athlete, I'm excited to join the HBL because I believe that college athletes should never have to risk their education and their future to play a sport at the highest level. I was fortunate enough to receive the education of my choice from a top college, so I will never have to rely on my athletic ability to put food on the table. I’m passionate about helping other talented young athletes succeed off the court, and the HBL’s vision gives college athletes that opportunity.”

The HBL has secured backing from over a dozen investors from a range of industries and backgrounds and is preparing to launch its inaugural season in eight cities: Philadelphia, Baltimore, District of Columbia (D.C.), Richmond, Norfolk, Raleigh, Charlotte, and Atlanta.  The HBL expects to finalize its domestic media partnership in the coming weeks and will then shift its focus to hiring head coaches and securing an apparel partner, as well as continuing to engage and recruit 4-star and 5-star prospects.  Expect more exciting news from the HBL, including updates on coaches, players, team names and logos, as well as further details on team and league sponsorships and partnerships.

Press inquiries for interviews, additional facts, and images should be directed to press@hbleague.com.  To keep up to date, follow the HBL on Twitter (@hb_league) and Instagram (@hbleague).

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sarah Bray

Innovant Public Relations

Sarah@InnovantPR.com

832.226.2116

Ricky Volante, CEO of the Historical Basketball League (HBL), and David West, COO of the HBL, announced the initial members of the HBL Athlete Advisory Board (AAB).  The AAB will consist of: NBA players TJ Warren and Darren Collison, NBA Hall of Famer Mitch Richmond, NFL Hall of Famers Terrell Owens and Champ Bailey, former NBA players Etan Thomas, CJ Watson, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Butch Lee, and Jimmy King, who is joined on the AAB by his Fab Five teammate Ray Jackson.  In addition to joining the AAB, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf has accepted a position on the overall HBL Advisory Board.

The AAB consists of current and former professional athletes that serve as ambassadors and mentors to the players in the HBL. These athletes will advise the HBL Management Team, especially when making impactful decisions on the lives of our players.  No one better understands the intricate balancing act college athletes endure managing their educational and athletic responsibilities.  HBL athletes will benefit from the experience and mentorship of AAB members, regarding personal development and preparedness for the professional ranks.

Earlier in the week, Volante and West introduced Terrell Owens as the HBL's first official Team Ambassador.  As a Team Ambassador, Owens will be directly involved with a single HBL team as an influencer and one of the team's marketing faces.  He will work with the HBL's management team to identify and secure local sponsors, partners, and investors.  Additionally, Terrell will serve as a mentor and resource to the team's athletes.  On joining the HBL, Owens said, "The change the HBL is bringing is long overdue, and I'm thrilled to join as the first Official Team Ambassador. An athlete-first model that will treat college athletes equitably and as partners is needed, and I'm excited to be a part of its development."

In describing the AAB's importance, Volante said, "David and I are excited to be able to offer our athletes the opportunity to tap into the decades of collective experience of the AAB.  As a former college athlete, I know the challenges in transitioning from high school to college can be daunting, but our athletes will be pioneers.  In the HBL, they will be athletes, students, and businessmen.  Having the AAB as a resource will make that transition easier and more successful."

The HBL is the first college basketball league to compensate and educate its athletes.  The league will begin play in June 2020 with an inaugural schedule of eight teams in East Coast cities spanning the Mid-Atlantic and Piedmont regions.  With its athlete-centric model, the HBL does not have traditional team owners, opting instead for coupling investor-operator groups and team ambassadors.

HBL COO David West said, "The AAB has more professional experience than any blueblood program can offer.  Unlike those programs, we will encourage our athletes to work with the people who know how to transition to the next level and be successful on and off the court."

On joining the AAB, CJ Watson said, "I agreed to join because I believe in the league's vision and path they are developing for the betterment of college athletes. To give these young kids a different outlet and opportunity to achieve their goals and dreams without being exploited is a blessing. For me, it is truly an honor to be chosen for the athlete advisory board to mentor and give advice to these athletes."

Mitch Richmond added, "I've had the honor of winning a gold medal, being named Rookie of the Year, and being inducted into the Hall of Fame.  Having been so blessed, this is my chance to pay it forward to the next generation of basketball players, to help them blaze a new trail that was not there for me.  These men have already accomplished a lot in their young careers and I look forward to working with them as they go on to even greater things in the HBL and beyond."

June has been a busy month for the HBL.  In addition to bringing Owens on board and creating the Athlete Advisory Board, the HBL announced it was launching its 2020 season in eight cities: Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Richmond, Norfolk, Raleigh, Charlotte, and Atlanta.

Before the HBL, basketball players were excluded from the lion's share of financial benefits while everyone around them received significant compensation.  The HBL provides a new and better opportunity, one without economic and academic exploitation.  The HBL's players are projected to earn between $50,000 and $150,000 per season based on athletic talent and marketability, in addition to receiving a guaranteed scholarship and having the ability to fully commercialize their name, image, and likeness, all without jeopardizing their eligibility with the HBL.

Volante emphasized today's announcement is just the beginning of a busy run-up to the league's 2020 launch: "The HBL is launching in one year's time and as an organization we spend every day focused on the next step towards a successful launch.  The success of the HBL revolves around our ability to recruit elite players and produce an entertaining product for fans.  The AAB is an essential part of that recruitment process and the HBL's overall positioning with players and their families.  With elite players, we are going to change the way college sports are viewed in the US, end the Amateurism con, and allow college athletes to earn and learn at the same time."

Volante and West promised more news in the coming weeks and months as the league plans to roll out team names and logos, announce head coaches, as well as to provide further details of sponsorships and partnerships as the HBL moves toward its June 2020 launch.

Press inquiries for interviews, additional facts, and images should be directed to press@hbleague.com.  To keep up to date, follow the HBL on Twitter (@hb_league) and Instagram (@hbleague).