A Lost Century : The Economic Expansion and Exploitation of Black Teenage Hoopers
Note: The clip below is from the Earn Your Leasure Podcast’s interview with the President of the NBA G League, Shareef Abdur-Rahim. The clip opens with Shareef speaking about the options available to teenage basketball players today, followed by the host's observation of the limitations still faced by teenage basketball players. I already had this article drafted before being viewed, so finding the video was great timing. I recommend you check out the entire interview.
American black teenagers are an economic resource for the black community, hidden in plain sight. Basketball, a multi-billion dollar domestic industry, is primarily driven by black teenagers and young adults who generate the majority of non-NBA entertainment value through social media. A cursory look into the legacy of black teenagers playing professional basketball, which spans over a century, reveals the substantial economic extraction from this talent pool.
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1900 - 1946
Harry "Bucky" Lew is a pivotal figure in basketball history, recognized as the first African American professional player. Born on January 4, 1884, in Lowell, Massachusetts, he made history by joining the New England Professional Basketball League in 1902. After the league's dissolution in 1905, Lew continued to play, barnstorming around New England with teams he owned, organized, played for, and coached, until retiring in 1926 at age 42. Notably, Lew's early career was played on courts with baskets lacking backboards.
John Isaacs, born in 1915, was a standout athlete from an early age. After leading his high school team to a New York City championship in 1935 and earning All-City honors, he joined the New York Renaissance ("Rens") in 1936, quickly earning the nickname "Boy Wonder." His immediate impact led the Rens to impressive season records, including a championship in the first-ever World’s Professional Basketball Tournament in 1939. Isaacs' significant contributions to basketball saw him play alongside future Hall of Famers and led to his own Hall of Fame induction in 2015.
1950 - 2020
As basketball evolved, its economic model shifted. The NBA emerged as the premier league for top players, bolstered by a surge in television advertising revenue, establishing its global dominance. However, it's essential to acknowledge the exclusion of the black-owned, all-black New York Renaissance from being one of the founding NBA franchises, a decision that denied them a critical role in the league's development.
The Dawkins Disruption
Fast forward to 1975 when 18-year-old Darryl Dawkins made the leap from high school to the NBA, marking 40 years since John Isaacs joined the New York Rens straight from high school. Dawkins' seven-year, $1 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers starkly contrasted the earlier era. The NBA and its Players Association have since grappled with policies for teenage players, with the current rule, established in 2005, requiring athletes to be 18 and one year out of high school. Meanwhile, colleges and the NCAA took on the role of developing young talent, compensating players with educational scholarships in a system that profited immensely from their skills. The billion-dollar brand of March Madness highlights the immense revenue generated, intensifying the debate over fair athlete compensation.
Impact of the Commercialization of Youth Basketball
The commercialization of youth basketball has highlighted significant issues, especially regarding elite players. These athletes find themselves in a lucrative industry, monetizing their talents through sponsorships, high-profile tournaments, and intensive training programs. However, this spotlight can eclipse their personal development and education, raising exploitation concerns. Furthermore, the path to college basketball and maintaining NCAA eligibility amid commercial influences presents additional challenges, often limiting athletes' control over their careers.
The economic barriers created by this commercialization have profound implications for access to the sport. While basketball has traditionally been a path to success and upward mobility for those from underprivileged backgrounds, the rising costs of participating in elite youth circuits have made this pathway increasingly exclusive. Talent alone no longer guarantees access to higher levels of the sport; financial resources have become a critical factor. This shift limits opportunities for talented players from less affluent backgrounds and raises questions about basketball's changing role as an accessible economic vehicle.
New Pathways in the Professional Circuit: The Emergence of the G League and Overtime Elite
Acknowledging significant developments in the basketball landscape is crucial, particularly the rise of the G League and Overtime Elite. These platforms have redefined elite teenage basketball talent's trajectory.
The G League: Bridging the Gap
The NBA's G League, initially a developmental arena, now offers a viable professional path for young NBA-bound athletes straight out of high school. Providing competitive play and financial compensation, it stands as an alternative to the traditional college route. The league nurtures on-court skills and life skills, preparing athletes for the multifaceted demands of a professional basketball career.
Overtime Elite: A New Era of High School Basketball
Overtime Elite (OTE) targets basketball players aged 16-20 with professional aspirations. Offering salaries, education, and a focus on personal brand development, OTE, supported by investors like Jeff Bezos, Drake, and Klay Thompson, represents a radical shift in cultivating and compensating young basketball talent.
Reimagining Business Models: Empowering the Teenage Black Athlete
The advent of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights and blockchain technology heralds a new era for teenage athletes. NIL rights enable them to leverage their brands for endorsements and partnerships, while blockchain technology opens monetization avenues like digital assets and transparent, direct earnings. This technological progression paves the way for reimagined business models, transforming teenage athletes from mere players into entrepreneurs, brand ambassadors, and economic agents with unprecedented opportunities for equitable participation.
Reflecting on the journey from Harry Lew to Darryl Dawkins and now in the NIL and blockchain age, the narrative of teenage basketball athletes has been one of exploitation and redirection. Adults, acting as capitalists, crafted institutions that denied and delayed athletes from monetizing their talents. Today's teenagers, social media natives adept at adapting to web3 technologies, are awakening to the idea of being brands, businesses, and corporations. This awakening is a positive shift.
The adults who skillfully use emerging tools to incentivize rewards and drive the right behaviors among families and young athletes can change the game. It took 122 years since the first professional black basketball player, an 18-year-old teenager in 1902, to reach a point where a teenage basketball player of any age can freely market their talent and brand for compensation. Here’s to a century of economic expansion for black teenage athletes.