The Skate Board Association (SBA) has officially announced the launch of the world’s first co-ed, equal-pay professional skateboarding league, a groundbreaking initiative set to revolutionize sports, youth culture, and innovation globally. Founded by Sheldon Lewis, Royce Campbell, and NBA champion Gary Payton II, the SBA redefines what it means to be a professional sports organization by blending elite athletic performance with immersive technology, cultural relevance, equity, and storytelling.
Gary Payton II, co-founder and the league’s first official team owner, highlighted the league’s mission to inspire and unite communities through skateboarding’s culture of creativity and resilience. Other notable owners include professional skateboarders Pamela Rosa, Robert Neal, Samarria Brevard, and Manny Santiago. Big Bear, California, will serve as the home of the SBA’s flagship arena, training complex, and media hub.
The partnership features prominent launch collaborators such as Hyperice, a leader in recovery technology, and HYPERVSN, a London-based company bringing cutting-edge visuals to fans. The SBA goes beyond competition—it’s a global movement through year-round programming, media, and commerce designed to elevate skateboarding as a true professional sport while honoring its grassroots roots.
The inaugural SBA Draft is set for late Q4 2025, with the six-month first season launching in spring 2026. The league will feature 36 athletes, men and women alike, with guaranteed annual draft salaries reaching six figures and equal pay between genders. Eighteen athletes have already signed, including skateboard Olympians and street champions.
The SBA invites brands, visionaries, and innovators to join as founding partners of this culturally relevant, generationally impactful skateboarding league.
