NBA Money & A-List Icons Bet Big on Asia's College Hoops Future

HONG KONG – April 09, 2026

The Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) has secured a landmark Series A funding round, attracting a powerful coalition of global sports titans including Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai, former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry, Philadelphia 76ers co-owner David Blitzer, and basketball legend Yao Ming. The investment, led by Tsai’s family office Blue Pool Capital, signals a monumental vote of confidence in the league's vision to build a pan-Asian collegiate sports powerhouse, fueling ambitious plans for a full home-and-away season set to transform the region's basketball landscape.

The Billionaire's Bet: Why NBA Owners Are All-In on AUBL

The roster of investors reads less like a venture capital sheet and more like an NBA owners' meeting. The collective backing of Tsai, Lasry, and Blitzer represents a powerful consensus from some of the most influential figures in professional basketball: Asian collegiate sports is the next major frontier for growth.

Joe Tsai, who also owns the WNBA's New York Liberty, has been a believer from the start, building on his initial seed-round investment. His leadership in this Series A round underscores a deep conviction in the league’s potential. "Attending last year’s AUBL Finals in person and witnessing first-hand the energy in the arena, the passion of the fans, and the level of play on the court further reinforced my belief that the league is headed in the right direction," Tsai stated. "This exceptional group of investors proves the potential is real and will help fuel AUBL’s next phase of growth."

Joining him is Marc Lasry, who recently launched a billion-dollar sports fund through his firm, Avenue Capital Group. His investment in AUBL is a strategic play, targeting what he sees as an undervalued asset with immense upside. "Collegiate basketball in Asia is ripe for transformation – and the AUBL has established a pan-regional model that positions it as a leader," said Lasry. "Fans are ready to embrace college sports with the same energy that defines its success in the U.S. and Avenue Sports is excited to partner with the league at this important moment.”

David Blitzer, whose sports empire spans multiple continents and leagues, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the burgeoning market for amateur and youth sports globally. "It’s exciting to be part of AUBL’s journey. There’s real opportunity in global youth and amateur sports," Blitzer commented. He also placed his confidence in the league's leadership, adding, "I’ve known Jay for many years, and I believe that under his leadership, this league will make a strong impact on the future of international basketball in Asia."

From Hangzhou Hit to Pan-Asian Powerhouse

This influx of capital is not based on speculation alone; it's a direct response to the AUBL's explosive debut. The league’s inaugural tournament in Hangzhou in the summer of 2025 was a resounding success, silencing any doubts about regional appetite for high-level collegiate competition.

The seven-day event, which featured 12 elite university teams, captured the attention of the continent, drawing over 65 million live streaming views and packing arenas with more than 29,000 fans. The intense competition saw National Chengchi University from Taiwan crowned as the first-ever champion after a hard-fought final against China's Tsinghua University. The world-class production and palpable excitement proved that a "March Madness" style event could thrive in Asia.

With its war chest replenished, the AUBL is now executing a dramatic expansion. The league will return to Hangzhou in August 2026 for a standalone tournament, this time expanding its reach to include first-time entrants from the Philippines and Australia alongside programs from Greater China, Japan, Korea, and Mongolia.

The true game-changer, however, is the launch of the inaugural home-and-away season in late 2026. This ambitious undertaking will see 16 top university teams crisscrossing the continent from November through April 2027, playing in iconic cities across Asia. According to AUBL CEO and Co-Founder Jay Li, this evolution is central to the league's mission. "Our ambition is not just to run a league; it’s to spark a movement that turns Asian university sports into a cultural force," Li said, noting that "world-class event management for home-and-away operations" is a top priority.

Forging a New Path: Yao Ming and the Student-Athlete Dream

Beyond the balance sheets and expansion plans lies a deeper, more personal mission, embodied by the involvement of Yao Ming. For the global icon and former Chinese Basketball Association president, this is his first investment in an emerging sports league in nearly a decade, and it stems from a place of personal regret and future hope.

“Getting rejected by an NCAA college remains one of the regrets of my playing career,” Yao Ming candidly shared. “With AUBL, I’m proud to be able to support the right platform for student athletes in Asia and also to be a diehard fan cheering for my Alma mater...SHANGHAI JIAO TONG UNIVERSITY FOR AUBL CHAMPIONS!”

Yao's investment lends powerful credibility to the AUBL's goal of creating a viable and prestigious path for student-athletes who want to pursue both high-level competition and education within Asia. This vision is being put into practice through initiatives like Hoop Scholars, the league's youth development program. Launched in Hong Kong in December 2025, the program provides elite coaching and development opportunities for promising secondary school and university players who demonstrate a dual commitment to academics and athletics. Its inaugural winter clinic featured internationally renowned skills coach Gary Maitland, who has trained NBA and EuroLeague stars, signaling the league's commitment to providing world-class resources for the next generation.

This focus on development is a core pillar of the AUBL's strategy. "We’re focusing on three priorities right now: world-class event management... community engagement centered around students and alumni, and authentic touchpoints to inspire youth through our Hoop Scholars initiative," explained CEO Jay Li.

By creating a robust ecosystem that spans from youth clinics to a professional-level collegiate league, the AUBL is not just creating a product for fans and broadcasters. It is building an aspirational pathway for millions of young players across the continent, proving that a future in basketball does not have to mean a choice between a jersey and a degree. With the backing of global financial powerhouses and the heart of a basketball legend, the league is poised to do more than just score points; it aims to change the game entirely for Asian sports.