Starting this summer, the German basketball market will gain an innovative new event format. “The LGCY Series” is a league launching this summer that blends sports, entertainment, and street culture.
Rumors had been swirling behind the scenes for several months, but now the cat is out of the bag: “The LGCY Series” will launch a new basketball format in Germany this summer. Behind the project is a three-person founding team consisting of basketball culture expert and former general manager of the BBL club Rostock Seawolves, Philipp Dembowski, as well as rapper and actor Jalil Berkholz and Yoran Henzler, who previously worked for the small-field soccer format Icon League, founded by Toni Kroos and streaming giant Elias Nerlich.
Schröder, Bonga, Kiatipis
However, the league’s most prominent face and figurehead will be someone else: World Champion and NBA star Dennis Schröder of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Alongside him, other well-known German national team players such as Isaac Bonga will represent the league. The roster promises a mix of seasoned pros, international talents, and familiar faces from the global basketball community.
From the very start, the format is banking on enormous international appeal. In addition to national teams, a team from Los Angeles—featuring well-known U.S. influencers and high-profile streetballers—will also take the court. The UK market is also on board from the start with the participation of the Simply British Ballers. Additionally, the highly influential content creator Matt Kiatipis, alias “MK,” who has 3.2 million followers on Instagram alone, will lead one of the eight teams in total.
Structurally, “The LGCY Series” is modeled after the US NBA, meaning it operates on a franchise model where individual teams can market and manage themselves.
High-Tech Court and Modified Rules
The goal of “The LGCY Series” is to combine elements of classic basketball with modern, event-driven approaches to usher in an innovative form of basketball for younger audiences. The game is played five-on-five across the entire court—so far, so familiar.
However, the playing surface is anything but traditional. It enables comprehensive gamification elements, visual effects, and interactive features to be projected onto the court during the game.
The video floor from German manufacturer ASB GlassFloor is already being used by FC Bayern Basketball in BBL league play, though there its functions are utilized only very rudimentarily for marketing-related reasons. The glass floor was also recently used at the Handball Final Four in Cologne’s Lanxess Arena, as well as at the most recent Euroleague Basketball Final in Athens.
In terms of gameplay, the “LGCY Series” also aims to introduce targeted rule modifications. Exactly what these will be is currently still unclear. According to reports, the organizers plan to test new rules to speed up the game, create more highlight moments, and make the sport more appealing to a younger audience.
Kickoff this summer at three venues
The specific tour schedule for the inaugural season is currently still in the final planning phase. Three venues are planned, two of which—Berlin and Munich—have already been confirmed. The target launch date is the last weekend in July.
Even before the official kickoff, the project is already being supported by absolute heavyweights in the industry. FC Bayern Basketball has been secured as a close strategic partner, though the Munich-based club will not be fielding its own team. Sportswear giant Adidas is also on board as the official equipment supplier and will design a custom jersey for each of the eight teams.
Innovative formats are popping up everywhere
With the “LGCY Series,” a trend similar to one that has been spreading in soccer for several years is now making its way onto the court for the first time. There, two novel small-field soccer formats—the Kings League founded by Gerard Piqué (which also plans to invest millions into other sports) and the Baller League 2023 co-founded by Mats Hummels—have set the ball rolling. Finally, the Icon League, initiated by Toni Kroos and Elias Nerlich, joined as the third in the group.
The main characteristic here is innovative rule sets that can suddenly and completely change the course of a match from one moment to the next, much like in a board game. In addition, the formats blend soccer with music and culture and aim to build reach through prominent influencers and former sports stars.
