Ben Simmons is charting an unexpected new course as he temporarily puts his basketball career on hold and dives headfirst into the world of professional sport fishing. The three-time NBA All-Star and former No. 1 overall draft pick has become a major figure in the Sport Fishing Championship (SFC), stepping in as the controlling operator and part-owner of the South Florida Sails Angling Club.
Founded in 2021, the Sport Fishing Championship is a professional offshore saltwater fishing league with 16 competitive teams that travel along the U.S. East Coast and beyond to battle in point-based tournaments targeting billfish like marlin and sailfish.
Simmons isn’t competing as an angler himself, but his involvement as a team owner places him among an eclectic roster of sports and entertainment figures who have invested in the league, from PGA Tour star Scottie Scheffler to NFL alumni Randy Moss and Raheem Mostert.
Simmons, who grew up in Australia and developed a love for fishing during his youth in coastal Newcastle, New South Wales, compared the league’s structure and competitive ethos to other high-profile sports circuits.
“The way I see it, it’s like the new Formula 1 for fishing,” he told Andscape earlier this week. “It’s a very niche sport — once you experience it and get out there, you’re kind of in awe of what the sport is.”
Though Simmons’ involvement with professional fishing has drawn headlines, it doesn’t mean he’s walking away from basketball indefinitely. Still a free agent, he continues to train diligently in hopes of returning to the NBA once he is fully healthy.
Simmons has spoken openly about rigorous workouts, including two-a-day sessions focusing on basketball skills, strength, and rehabilitation, as he works toward a comeback opportunity, potentially around the All-Star break if his progress continues.
“I don’t believe it’s just about getting on a team,” Simmons told Sports Illustrated. “So, if I were to play right now, I think I’d fit right into the NBA just given what I can do. But I want to give everything I can to the game… I want to get to the best of my ability and physical peak to compete.”
This balanced approach, investing in a passion while maintaining hope for a return to professional basketball, reflects a new phase in Simmons’ life and career.
While many athletes explore business ventures in retirement or between contracts, Simmons’ move into the competitive fishing world helps raise its profile. As he put it, investing in what you love means “you have a responsibility to help move it forward.”
