For an athlete accustomed to the blinding lights and rapid-fire commentary of the NBA, the silence of the open ocean represents a profound shift. Ben Simmons, the former number one overall draft pick, finds himself in an unexpected role—not waiting for an assist, but managing a fleet. Having concluded a challenging NBA season, Simmons has traded the basketball court for a new, highly technical arena: professional competitive fishing.
From Fadeaway Jumper to Deep Sea Anchor
Simmons’ most recent NBA tenure was brief and punctuated by injury. His last official NBA appearance—Game 5 of the 2025 playoffs—resulted in a stat line that confirmed a season of limited impact: zero points, one rebound, one block. Following his mid-season departure from the Brooklyn Nets and subsequent stint with the Los Angeles Clippers, the summer passed without an NBA contract offer. Instead of focusing solely on the gym, Simmons took a surprising detour into a discipline that requires patience, strategy, and massive capital investment: sport fishing.
While reports confirm he is engaged in «grueling» training sessions aimed at preparing for an eventual NBA return, Simmons’ immediate professional energy is channeled into ownership of a competitive fishing team. He acquired the South Florida Sails, a franchise competing in the burgeoning Sport Fishing Championship (SFC) league.
The Technical Rigor of the Sport Fishing Championship
The SFC is not recreational leisure. This niche league, currently featuring 16 teams representing 11 states, organizes multi-day tournaments where teams compete for a seasonal championship title. Simmons is clear that the sport requires far more technical understanding than most observers appreciate.
“It’s a niche sport, but once you try it and understand what’s involved, you fall in love with it,” Simmons noted. “Sport fishing is intensely technical. These teams are out on multi-million dollar vessels, staying at sea for days on end. It’s hard discipline, demanding precision, and incredible endurance. It’s a world you truly have to immerse yourself in to grasp.”
The transition underscores a growing trend where athletes seek ownership stakes in non-traditional sports—ventures often defined by precision engineering and high operational costs, much like Formula 1 or specialized sailing leagues.
A Focus on Ownership and Community, Not Competition
Despite his passion for the ocean, Simmons has positioned himself strictly as an executive and proprietor, rather than a participant. He holds no aspirations of competing directly on the water, showing a healthy technical respect for the existing talent pool.
“I’m certainly not the best fisherman,” he admitted, reflecting a pragmatic self-assessment. “For me to try and compete right now would be selfish. My primary focus is on leveraging my resources and platform to help these athletes grow this sport. I genuinely believe in the SFC’s future.”
His immediate goal is fostering a strong community around the South Florida Sails brand in Miami, emphasizing local engagement and visibility. This hands-on management approach contrasts sharply with the passive endorsement deals typically associated with athlete off-court interests.
The Open Question of the NBA
The inherent irony of a highly paid basketball player finding stability in a sport defined by waiting and patience is not lost on Simmons. While he is busy charting maritime strategy, the central question remains fixed on the hardwood.
“I am human; of course, I think about it,” Simmons confirmed regarding his NBA future. “I don`t believe this story is over for me. But we have to see how things develop. So long as I commit the necessary energy, everything else will fall into place.”
For now, Ben Simmons maintains a curious dual-track career: keeping fit for a basketball league that has momentarily paused its interest, while simultaneously piloting a high-stakes competitive journey into the vast, silent blue of the Atlantic.
Elton Marrow