Akshay Are has launched the American Badminton Premier League, the first city-franchise professional badminton league in the U.S., aiming to elevate the sport’s profile in the country.
RIVERSIDE, CA – In a groundbreaking move for badminton in the United States, former professional athlete Akshay Are has introduced what he claims is the first city-franchise professional badminton league in the country. The initiative aims to establish a professional presence for badminton in a nation that has long been without a major domestic league.
Are, who boasts a decade of experience as a professional badminton player and holds an MBA from the University of California, Riverside’s Gary Anderson School of Management, unveiled the American Badminton Premier League (ABPL) on August 28. The announcement took place before an enthusiastic audience at UC Riverside’s AGSM Business Auditorium.
The inaugural season of the ABPL will feature eight city franchises: the New York Shuttlers, Chicago Rushers, Dallas Slingers, Houston Chargers, Seattle Gliders, Atlanta Dashers, Bay Area Strikers, and L.A. Smashers. The inclusion of the Los Angeles franchise is particularly symbolic, as the city is set to host the 2028 Olympic Games.
“The wait for professional badminton in America is over,” Are declared to the audience. “This sport has a billion fans worldwide and elite athletes who’ve had nowhere to go in this country. That changes today.”
Badminton has been an Olympic sport since 1992 and enjoys widespread popularity globally. However, the sport has faced challenges in establishing competitive opportunities at the highest levels within the United States. The absence of a professional city-franchise league, an NCAA Division I badminton program, and athletic scholarships for the sport has limited its growth.
Are emphasized that the ABPL is designed to bridge this gap by providing a professional platform for athletes and fostering a stronger competitive structure for badminton in the U.S.
The launch event attracted athletes, supporters, and guests connected to USA Badminton, highlighting the growing interest in the sport.
This league holds particular significance for the Indian American community, where badminton is widely played and celebrated. International stars such as Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu have become household names, further fueling interest in the sport.
In addition to his work with the ABPL, Are is also spearheading the Bring Back Badminton campaign. This initiative aims to restore badminton’s status as an NCAA Emerging Sport for Women, a designation it lost in August 2009 after failing to meet the NCAA’s requirement of 40 participating schools.
As of now, the ABPL has not disclosed its commercial partners, organizational leadership, or the roster of players for its inaugural season. However, the league’s establishment marks a significant step forward for badminton in the United States, promising to create new opportunities for athletes and fans alike.
According to India-West, the ABPL is poised to change the landscape of badminton in America, offering a much-needed professional framework for the sport.