The NCL (National Cycling League) has launched what is being billed as a ‘first-of-its-kind professional cycling league.’ Rolling out in 2023, the NCL will organize a series of closed-course 1-2km circuit criterium races in major cities around the USA including Miami, Atlanta, Denver and Chicago.
A championship team will be decided at the end of the season… "and awarded the largest prize in the history of criterium racing."
“Our mission is to create the next generation sports community by reimagining sports ownership, fan participation, and social impact,” said Paris Wallace, co-founder and CEO of NCL.
“The NCL will be the first major professional sports league that is majority-minority and female owned and values men’s and women’s athletic achievements and contributions equally.”
A release from NCL added… "With an eye to shifting the athlete experience, the league has designed its format to ensure gender equality – each team will be composed of men and women who receive equal pay and equal resources. Although men and women will race separately on race day, their results will count equally towards the team’s total score. This balanced approach will create the sort of comprehensive parity that is long overdue in sports and embodies the level of respect and celebration all athletes deserve."
NCL races will feature a new scoring system that will award points after each lap, helping to ensure regular lead changes and drama for spectators.
"Designed with the fan experience at its core, the NCL is building the sport of tomorrow by tapping into the power of technology to quantify performance, speed, and health. The technology platform will provide fans a direct look into the performance of athletes via wearable technology and virtual ride-alongs during training, qualifiers and race day.
"Doubling down on its focus on innovation, NCL races will exist both in the real and virtual world at the same time. This revolutionary access will empower fans to participate live in the metaverse, riding alongside their favorite athletes during real-world NCL races."
Backed and led by some of the biggest names in sports, business, venture capital, and entertainment, the NCL adds that it has strong financial support to turn its bold vision into a reality.
Investors include Founder Collective, Collab Capital, Jalen Ramsey (Los Angeles Rams), Derwin James (Los Angeles Chargers), Kevin Byard (Tennessee Titans), Emmanuel Acho (Fox Sports 1) and Michele Roberts (former executive director of the National Basketball Players Association).
David Mulugheta, one of the NFL’s most powerful agents and a co-founder of the NCL, said, “I’ve been in the sports industry for 15 years and this is the most exciting opportunity I’ve seen.
“Beyond the substantial number of people who bike, the ability to build the league from the ground up allows us to get the business, the values, and the ownership structure right. This is why so many professional athletes, entertainers, and people of influence are so excited about what we are building.”
The NCL is currently working with USA Cycling on sanctioning the 2023 season. The league adds that it is looking forward to strengthening its relationship with the federation and all stakeholders to help grow and support the sport.
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