“They think by sprinkling a little bit of their product in high-visibility basketball areas through these travel teams, it gives them some visibility,” Papile said. And the brands that pour money into running these leagues get top talents competing under their logo, with their gear, and a shot in new markets. BABC, a founding EYBL member, switched to the Adidas 3SSB circuit this season, and is one of a handful of Massachusetts programs on a national shoe-brand circuit.Ī sports-apparel sponsorship can be a golden ticket to exposure and funding for a travel team.
Adidas and Under Armour followed suit with their own leagues of invite-only sessions that showcase elite sponsored youth teams. Nike changed the game in 2010 by starting its Elite Youth Basketball League. “I just think it is a runaway train that needs structure.” “But if we weren’t in one of these conferences, I don’t see any reason for us to exist. “We love where we are because we’re in a very unique space,” he said. When the AAU reigned, coaches had to be licensed and rules were consistent across tournaments. He laments the direction the youth level is taking because there is no clear governing body or regulations. Leo Papile is perhaps the godfather of local amateur hoops, the founder of the Boston Amateur Basketball Club, a 46-year-old program that has developed 25 NBA players.
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