The Champions League Featuring Former NBA Players, 16 Teams to Debut in 2016

A basketball version of the Champions League has finally arrived. It just isn't going to mirror soccer's version.

USA Today's Sam Amick reported a new league, filled largely with former NBA players, is expected to launch with 16 teams from all over the country. The Champions League is not affiliated with the NBA but will base a number of its teams in already-occupied markets. CEO Carl George indicated the league's goal is to not compete with the NBA but to offer competitive basketball during the offseason.

Amick named Al Harrington, Rasheed Wallace and Maurice Ager among the former NBAers who have already committed to playing for the New York team. The league has roughly 60 players in place thus far and has a goal of each roster boasting at least two former All-Stars.

“As surprising as it might sound, it comes as a surprise to most of (the players) when their career does come to an end,” George told Amick. “What we become, then, is a transition from that point forward. And we’re thrilled to be at that place. We’re the next step in the evolution."

The plan, as it stands, it to make the Champions League a more attractive alternative to the NBA's D-League. Currently, D-Leaguers who are not signed to NBA contracts earn a maximum of $25,000. (Players could earn as little as $13,000.) By contrast, George said the average Champions League player would earn around $200,000.

That's still less than half the NBA league minimum, but it represents a stark increase over what's typically a pretty bleak post-NBA life for players. They can either try out for the D-League and make a minimal salary or go overseas, where there is often a language barrier and contracts are not always honored. The opportunity to play stateside and replicate the locker room environment plays a big part in attracting former players, according to former NBA guard Keyon Dooling.

"It’s not about the money," Dooling told Amick. "Most guys will tell you that they miss the community in the locker room, the camaraderie in the locker room, they miss their favorite restaurants that they used to travel to in all these different cities, that they miss the noise of the crowd. Those are some things that even a hundred million dollars can’t fill that void."

The league is being backed by a number of high-profile investors, including fashion icon Tommy Hilfiger. As it stands, George says the league would play around 30 games beginning next summer, culminating in a single-elimination tournament to determine the winner.

As always, there's inherent skepticism about starting a new professional sports league. Countless have tried and failed to compete with the big four in recent years, with even some promising leagues (most notably the XFL) flaming out quickly. But as long as George keeps the goals small and avoids overextending his investors, the Champions League might be a fun summer alternative to those missing NBA ball.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.