The Business Behind Women's Pickup Basketball

Lo. Lori. Or if you don’t know her that well, L’Oreal Gamble is the name of the woman in my own backyard who created a place for women to play pick-up basketball during the summer. Her journey from Fayetteville State University, a historically Black college, to professional basketball courts overseas and eventually to founding her own women's basketball league in Raleigh is a story that had me so intrigued, I had to go see some games in person.

L'Oreal's basketball journey began at Fayetteville State University, where she honed her skills while experiencing the unique culture and community that HBCUs provide. Unlike athletes from Power Five conferences who often receive national television exposure and attention from professional scouts, HBCU athletes frequently face significant visibility challenges when pursuing professional careers. Despite these challenges, she secured an invitation to a WNBA training camp, a significant achievement that opened doors to professional possibilities.

Like many women basketball players who don't immediately land permanent WNBA roster spots, her professional journey led her overseas. This transition brought both opportunities and challenges as she navigated different countries, cultural adjustments, and life far from home. But luckily, she was able to bring home with her when she got married to her husband, who also played basketball overseas.

Perhaps the most impressive chapter in L’Oreal’s story is her decision to address the lack of opportunities for women basketball players by founding her own league in Raleigh. This entrepreneurial venture required not just basketball knowledge, but business acumen, community organizing skills, and a vision for what women's basketball could be at the local level. The creation of the league addresses a critical gap in the women's basketball ecosystem. While the WNBA offers limited roster spots at the highest level, developmental opportunities have historically been scarce for women, especially compared to the G-League and other minor league options available to male players.

In our podcast episode, we talked about her story, the financial aspects of running a league, emerging leagues and opportunities for players, her coaching experience and role in player development at her high school and college teams, and the current landscape of professional women’s basketball. I also met all of her sons at some point during our conversation, and her parents at her basketball game, so I’m practically a part of the family now. I know you’ll feel the same way once you listen, and hopefully, attend a game!

P.S. This month is our 1-year anniversary, so we’ll be doing some surprise drops to coincide with the momentous occasion! The first surprise is our brand new podcast trailer, so you’ll hear some familiar voices from previous episodes!

Penned,

Angela 🤙🏾✨

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