I arrived early, before the music started and cameras flashed. At first glance, everything was ordinary. Bartenders polished glasses behind the bar, players stretched on the court — and sure, a red carpet had just rolled out, but that’s pretty standard for a Los Angeles event. Once the guests began filing in, it became increasingly clear that this wasn’t going to be a regular game night. But in this city, lots of things have a way of transforming into something bigger — spectacles, cultural roll calls. And this, I realized, was the calm before the storm.

In short, I was not at Intuit Dome or Crypto.com Arena. It was Surgeon Studios — an industrial warehouse, and home of The League. Co-founded by Ron Abaekobe, a first-generation Nigerian-American and former professional basketball player, The League quickly evolved beyond its roots. What began as a stage for pickup games is now a space where celebrities, influencers and local businesses combine their powers for the love of the game.

Participation in The League is strictly invite-only. Players are scouted or personally invited and teams are built through community ties, rather than open sign-ups. As for spectators — even that carries a level of exclusivity, with access often determined by connections or private invitations, reinforcing The League’s identity as a curated space — where being “tapped in” matters as much as talent… if not more.

The venue, situated in Historic Downtown Los Angeles is smaller than a traditional arena, does have a court at its center, a VIP balcony hovering and areas to stand — not sit — around the court. Externally, if you didn’t know where to look, you’d probably miss it. It wasn’t huge, but the size seemed as intentional as the court’s markings, creating an environment where networking happens naturally. Instantly, I found myself shoulder-to-shoulder with CEOs, brand founders, influencers and reality stars. It felt like the perfect space to meet people.

Unlike traditional leagues, the teams represent Los Angeles-based businesses and brands, reflecting the city’s entrepreneurial identity. Streetwear designers, hospitality groups and creative collectives take the court, bringing their followings, cultural influence and Angeleno pride with them.

Teams represented brands like Skylrk, Nahmias, Soho House and N3on, whose founder is also one of today’s most-watched streamers himself — a reminder that I was at the intersection of culture… or at least the intersection of the people who put it on blast.

That very model is what’s made The League more than a basketball game. Sure, there are excited onlookers rooting for their favorite brand, player or team, but that’s not the only spectacle. Even Justin Bieber is known to hit the hardwood, championed by his wife, Hailey.

Looking around, I spotted popular podcast host, Bobbi Althoff, who’s known for her banter with Drake — yes, that Drake — mingling court-side. I even caught a glimpse of N3on live-streaming his team getting hyped before the game. Everybody was definitely somebody — even people I didn’t recognize were dressed like their clothes came in PR packages.

This community is an audience that mirrors the city itself — diverse, ambitious and constantly reinventing.

Abaekobe, who previously led multimillion-dollar collaborations in footwear and apparel, views The League as a natural extension of L.A.’s ecosystem.

It’s no secret that basketball — particularly the professional kind — has always collided with fashion, music and hospitality, which Abaekobe and Nahmias noticed and built on top of. Surgeon Studios gets its name from the footwear brand founded by Dominic “The Surgeon” Ciambrone, but it certainly isn’t the first time for this crossover: From Chuck Taylors in the 1950s to Air Jordans in the 1980s, ballers have long transformed sneakers into cultural icons. Or take the 2000s, when former guard Allen “The Answer” Iverson brought braids, tattoos and oversized clothes court-side, reshaping how athletes could present themselves — even sparking the NBA’s 2005 dress code crackdown.

And you can’t discuss the intersection of basketball and urban culture without talking about how legendary baller Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal released rap albums in the 90s, how Master P famously had NBA tryouts and the lifestyle crossover that is All-Star Weekends or court-side celebrity-spotting at Madison Square Garden or TD Garden.

Hoopers throughout history have long considered the court an escape from reality. But at Surgeon Studios, it’s a portal into the city’s soul.

In a place where the community is often fragmented by industry silos — entertainment here, tech there, sports somewhere else — The League offers a unifying force by giving businesses, artists and athletes a shares space to compete and connect. It highlights both the strength and vulnerabilities of Los Angeles: its relentless creativity, hunger for influence and its ongoing search for authentic connection.

As the cheers of each season grow louder, the question isn’t What is The League? But Who will be there next week? And, Will they win?

For additional information about The League visit their website.