THE SKATE BOARD ASSOCIATION (SBA) ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF FIRST-EVER PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE
LOS ANGELES — Sept. 1, 2025 — The Skate Board Association (SBA) is launching the world’s first co-ed, equal-pay professional skateboarding league. Co-founded by Sheldon Lewis, Royce Campbell, and NBA champion Gary Payton II, the league blends performance, immersive tech, and culture with a focus on equity, community, inclusivity, and storytelling.
Payton II is a co-founder, investor, and the league’s first official team owner. Additional owners include Brazilian pro Pamela Rosa; American pro and model Robert Neal; skateboard Olympian and musician Samarria Brevard; and Puerto Rican legend Manny Santiago.
Big Bear, California will host the SBA’s flagship arena, training complex, and media hub. Launch partners include Hyperice (official recovery device) and HYPERVSN (visual technology).
“As someone who’s dedicated my life to sports, I know the power they have to inspire, unite, and transform communities,” said Gary Payton II, SBA co-founder. “The SBA represents a new era. This league isn’t just about competition—it’s about opportunity, innovation, and giving the next generation of athletes a platform to shine.”
“The SBA is about more than launching a league—it’s a cultural movement that gives skateboarding the platform it deserves on the world stage,” said Sheldon Lewis, SBA co-founder. “We’re creating a space where athletes, brands, and fans can shape the future of the sport,” added Royce Campbell, SBA co-founder.
The first-ever SBA Draft is slated for late Q4 2025. The inaugural six-month season begins spring 2026 with 36 athletes (men and women). Annual draft salaries target a six-figure guarantee with equal pay for all athletes.
Slated for the 2026 draft (18 of 36): Christiana Means, Pamela Rosa, Kylie Frank, Gabriela Mazetto, Isabelly Avila, Carlos Ribeiro, Dave Bachinsky, David Reyes, Robert Neal, Keelan Dadd, Micky Papa, Dashawn Jordan, Boo Johnson, Julian Agliardi, Leo Romero, Kevin Hoefler, Manny Santiago, Ryan Decenzo.
The SBA is seeking founding partners aligned with a pro model built for skateboarding, cultural relevance, and global impact. More information: skateboardassociation.org and @skateboardassociation on Instagram.
About the Skate Board Association (SBA) The SBA is a professional skateboarding league built at the intersection of sport, culture, and innovation. Founded by Sheldon Lewis, Royce Campbell, and Gary Payton II, the SBA merges world-class talent with technology, storytelling, and community engagement. With Big Bear as its year-round hub, the SBA aims to elevate skateboarding as a true professional sport while honoring its grassroots foundation. The inaugural season launches spring 2026.
Kevin "KevRoss" Ross is a music and radio industry expert. He is a 20 -plus year entrepreneur with the leading most successful industry trade publication and site Radio Facts (www.radiofacts.com). He has also published various books, magazines, performed marketing and promotions for major corporations and recording artists and he is on the advisory board of several industry organizations. This year Ross introduced his non profit organization LOMARI (Leaders of the Music and Recording Industry) to help teach young minority students how to market and manage their music and products.
