Skate Board Association Launches First-Ever Equal-Pay Pro League in 2026

The global action sports scene is being transformed thanks to the Skate Board Association (SBA), which has announced the inaugural co-ed, equal-pay professional skateboarding league set to kick off in 2026. This visionary move redefines what it means to be a pro skater, promising equity, world-class storytelling, cutting-edge technology, and salaries on par with other professional athletes.

Pioneering Leadership and Athlete-Owners

Co-founded by Sheldon Lewis and Royce Campbell, alongside NBA champion Gary Payton II, the SBA’s model goes beyond the contest circuit to empower skaters and reshape youth culture. Payton II is not only a league founder but also its first team owner and director of VIP relations. Joining him in stewardship are icons like Pamela Rosa, Robert Neal, Samarria Brevard, and Manny Santiago, each a globally renowned skateboard pro set to bring on further athletes, brands, and creative voices.

Big Bear, Technology Partners & Year-Round Mission

Big Bear, California, will serve as the SBA’s global headquarters, hosting the flagship arena, a media and content hub, and a state-of-the-art training facility that will anchor league operations.
Partnerships with industry leaders, including Hyperice (sports recovery) and HYPERVSN (immersive visual tech), set the SBA apart as a hub of innovation where technology enhances athlete welfare and fan engagement.

Structure, Draft, and Athlete Compensation

The league will launch with six teams, each comprising three men and three women, plus reserves and coaches, for a total of 36 athletes in the debut 2026 season. A historic SBA Draft is set for late Q4 2025 in Los Angeles, with 18 initial skaters already signed—Olympians, gold medalists, and street legends among them. Equal pay is guaranteed, with six-figure draft salaries for both men and women, salaried contracts (not just prize purses), and additional shares of merch revenue—groundbreaking in a sport historically driven by sponsorships and contest winnings.

“This is a game changer and will create avenues for us that weren’t there before,” said Samarria Brevard.

Confirmed draftees include:

• Pamela Rosa, Christiana Means, 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, Kelvin Hoefler, Manny Santiago, and Ryan Decenzo.

A Movement, Not Just a League

The SBA promises more than a string of contests, forging a year-round ecosystem spanning competition, immersive digital media, brand collaborations, and storytelling. Founders envision the SBA as a platform for youth empowerment, gender equity, and creativity, a “reset” for global skateboarding’s future.

“The SBA is about more than launching a league, it’s about building a cultural movement that gives skateboarding the platform it deserves on the world stage,” said co-founder Sheldon Lewis.
“We’re creating a space where athletes, brands, and fans can come together to shape the future of the sport,” added Royce Campbell.

What Sets the SBA Apart

• Equal Pay: Men and women receive six-figure draft salaries; all athletes share merch revenues.

• Co-Ed Competition: Integrated teams, equal status, and media opportunities for all skaters.

• Tech & Recovery: Hyperice for athletic well-being, HYPERVSN for next-level visuals and fan interaction.

• Inspired Ownership: Pro athletes as team owners, blending Tony Hawk Pro Skater-style community with real-world opportunity.

• Cultural Integration: Collabs with musicians, artists, and digital storytellers keep skateboarding tapped into its creative roots.

Next Steps—Season, Expansion, and Global Growth

The league’s inaugural six-month season will kick off in spring 2026, planning for 10-game regular seasons, playoffs, and year-round content. There are expansion ambitions beyond Big Bear: new venues, annual draft combine, multi-city events, and more athlete-owner crossovers—mirroring the success of rising athlete-led leagues in other Olympic and action sports.

“If I can change the game for them, that’s a win,” says Payton II. “To be an owner of an SBA skate team is bringing us back to playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater, building your crew, your brand, your story”.

Get Involved

Brands, innovators, and fans are encouraged to join the movement:

• Info: skateboardassociation.org

• Instagram: @skateboardassociation