OTE - Overtime Elite League

Overtime, a sports media company, launched the Overtime Elite (OTE) basketball league in 2021, targeting American and international basketball players aged 16–20. The league offers players a minimum annual salary of $100,000, signing bonuses, and shares in Overtime's broader business. Athletes can alternatively choose a scholarship option, maintaining their college eligibility. Overtime provides health and disability insurance, along with setting aside $100,000 in college scholarship funds for each player who opts not to pursue professional basketball later. Players in Overtime Elite engage in an academic program with a 4:1 student-teacher ratio, covering traditional high school subjects and life skills such as financial literacy, social media training, and mental health and wellness. Former NBA player and University of Connecticut head coach Kevin Ollie was hired as the first head coach and head of player development in April 2021. OTE made notable signings, including the Bewley brothers, the first prep underclassmen to join an American professional basketball league, and international player Jean Montero. Jalen Lewis, at 16, became the youngest American professional basketball player in history. Overtime Elite entered partnerships with Topps for trading cards, Gatorade, State Farm, Meta for virtual reality content development, and Amazon Prime Video for global distribution of live games and a documentary series. Pau Gasol joined the board of directors, and Damien Wilkins was named the general manager and Head of Basketball. Additionally, OTE secured partnerships with GMC and Adidas, signifying a multi-year commitment to the league's growth. In April 2022, Naasir Cunningham signed with OTE, becoming the first player to forgo a salary, preserving college basketball eligibility. Carmelo Anthony, Jay Williams, and Pau Gasol joined the board of directors in July 2022, further solidifying Overtime Elite's influence in the basketball community. Damien Wilkins was appointed as the general manager and Head of Basketball in September 2022.