( ENSPIRE Sports ) The First SBA Draft Will Take Place in Q1 2026
The Skateboard Association (SBA), the world’s first co-ed, equal-pay professional skateboarding league, was co-founded by NBA Champion Gary Payton II, Sheldon Lewis, and Royce Campbell. They recently unveiled the inaugural team identities and mascots: Boltz, Dark Rush, Dragonfly, Heelers, Hustle, and Phantom. The designs have themes of skate culture, speed, resilience, flight, grit, rhythm, and mystique. This unveiling is leading up to the league’s summer 2026 debut. The new team identities and mascots are a new visual language in professional skateboarding. The SBA has team ownership groups that include global skate leaders: Pamela Rosa, Robert Neal, Samarria Brevard, and Manny Santiago.
The SBA has a mission to build modern athlete-driven sports rooted in equity and culture. According to Gary Payton II, “This moment brings the SBA vision one step closer to becoming a reality. Our teams and mascots represent more than branding; they represent movement, storytelling, and the future of a sport that has shaped generations. We’re building a league that gives athletes a platform worthy of their talent and culture.” Big Bear, California, will serve as home of the SBA’s flagship arena, training complex, and media hub. They receive support from launch partners Hyperice, the SBA’s official recovery partner, and HYPERVSN, introducing next-gen visual technology and holographic experiences. “As we shape the league’s competitive ecosystem, establishing the team identities is a foundational step,” said Sheldon Lewis, “Each mascot carries symbolism tied to the energy of skateboarding, but also to the athletes and fans who will rally behind them.”
The first-ever SBA Draft will take place in Q1 2026, selecting from an elite roster of 36 athletes, men and women, who will compete under equal-pay contracts, marking a first for professional skateboarding. Annual draft salaries will include a six-figure guarantee. Furthermore, Royce Campbell adds, “The SBA is a cultural movement as much as it is a sports league. These teams will be the anchors for global storytelling, athlete discovery, and community belonging.” For more information, visit www.skateboardassociation.org or follow the SBA on Instagram at @skateboardassociation.
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