Organization Spotlight: The Basketball League Implements Financial Literacy Campaign to Benefit Players, Teams, and Communities
The Basketball League (TBL) – a professional sports league committed to delivering a Word Class Professional Basketball experience to its communities, fans, and partners – is taking its community contributions to new heights. In collaboration with the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC), TBL also advocates for financial literacy around the country. The league’s teams, players, and staff all work together to bring greater financial literacy to the 49 communities where TBL teams are located.
By providing personal finance training and resources, TBL players and teams are giving back to their communities in a way that promotes financial wellness and economic empowerment. First launched in 2020, TBL’s financial literacy campaign has expanded to include multiple initiatives that get players, staff, and community members involved. The campaign reaches all four TBL conferences across the U.S. and Canada – West, Midwest, Central, and East.
Player Initiatives
The first objective of the financial wellness campaign was to provide financial education to the league’s players. More than 100 TBL players have enrolled in the NFEC’s Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®) training program to date. This top certification program not only expands the financial knowledge of the enrollees. It also gives individuals the expertise, credibility, and confidence to teach personal finance education effectively to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
By earning the CFEI® credentials, TBL players become equipped with the knowledge and skills to promote economic empowerment through financial education in their local communities. As CFEI® graduates, they receive research-based financial education resources including presentations, online learning, and ongoing education support. They showcase their leadership abilities by getting community members involved in addressing their own personal finances and making financial wellness resources available to people who can benefit from them.
National Financial Literacy MVP Contest
TBL and the NFEC sponsored a nationwide financial literacy contest among the league’s players and teams. Players competed against each other for the title of National Financial Literacy Most Valuable Player. Winning this prestigious title required players to meet stringent criteria, including:
In the 2023 contest, Chiddy Golden of the Long Beach Blue Waves earned the coveted Financial Literacy MVP Award, receiving a $2,500 bonus plus an MVP ring sponsored by Baron’s. He commented on winning the title, “I’m taking what I learned and sharing it with my friends and those around me.”
TBL and the NFEC also recognized two Conference Champions in the 2023 contest: Desmond McIver with the Coastal Georgia Buccaneers and Carl Snyder with the Wenatchee Big Horns. McIver says about the award, “I’m taking a leadership role by building up as much knowledge so that it can benefit myself but also to help my teammates and fellow peers out with as much as I know.” While Snyder’s comment was, “I have younger cousins who look up to me and one of the things I want to try and teach them is how to be good with money.”
Ten other TBL players also received special mention for their dedication and commitment to helping promote financial literacy to youth across the U.S.:
TBL Team Initiatives
The Basketball League conducts several teamwide initiatives that promote financial wellness in their local communities.
Resource Donations
The 49 TBL teams donate financial literacy resources to nonprofit groups, schools, and community organizations in their local regions. These top-quality resources were developed by the NFEC and include comprehensive curriculum for all ages, fully-developed promotional materials, and practical learning activities. The resources were created to align with the latest cutting-edge research in best practices for financial education.
Financial Literacy Quiz Game
TBL has introduced a financial literacy quiz competition for people who come out to a basketball game. At TBL games, staff choose an attendee from the audience and ask a few age-appropriate questions related to personal finances. For each question participants get right, they get to take a shot – and win a prize for any shot that goes in the hoop.
Financial Educator Recognition
Financial Educators Day is observed each year at the end of April. At halftime during games played on Financial Educators Day, TBL teams take time to publicly salute financial educators, recognizing them as community heroes who spread economic empowerment and financial wellness.
Mother’s Day Promotion
Another annual promotion occurs on Mother’s Day each year. TBL teams provide free game tickets to youth who give their Moms the gift of chores for Mother’s Day. In other words, rather than purchasing flowers or candy, the kids offer to complete some of Mom’s chores for her. This promotion helps kids develop strong work ethics while also contributing to their families’ financial goals.
A Partnership for the Future
The NFEC and TBL partnership has expanded this financial literacy initiative to achieve sustainability well into the future. As CEO of The Basketball League Evelyn Magley states, “NFEC is playing a major role in positively impacting the lives of not only TBL Players but also their families and entire communities nationwide. Their fully accredited financial literacy program will help educate and acclimate thousands of minds building financial wealth and legacy both now and for generations to come.”
Other partners who generously support the TBL financial literacy campaign include Baron’s, Broad St. South Podcast with Angel Martinez, and the fans and teams in the 49 TBL cities.