Ben Simmons Explores Pro Fishing Ownership as NBA Future Remains Uncertain

Ben Simmons is spending his time away from the NBA in an unexpected space: professional sport fishing. While his basketball career remains on pause, the three-time NBA All-Star has taken on a leadership role in the Sport Fishing Championship (SFC), signaling a new business and lifestyle venture rather than a permanent career shift.

(Ben Simmons via Instagram)

Simmons recently confirmed that he is the controlling operator and majority owner of the South Florida Sails, one of 16 teams competing in the SFC. The league, founded in 2021, features offshore saltwater fishing events across the United States and operates on a season-long points system similar to traditional professional sports leagues. The SFC has attracted several high-profile owners across sports and entertainment, including golfers Scottie Scheffler and Talor Gooch, NFL players Randy Moss and Raheem Mostert, and NASCAR driver Austin Dillon. Simmons has described the league as a modernized version of fishing competition, built to appeal to both dedicated fans and new audiences.

Based primarily in South Florida, Simmons said the opportunity aligns with his lifestyle and long-standing interest in fishing and being on the water. His involvement appears focused on ownership and operations rather than competition. Although Simmons did not appear on an NBA roster this season—his first full year out of the league since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2016—he maintains that his basketball career is not over. He has stated that he continues to train six days a week, often twice a day, concentrating on strength, mobility, and rehabilitation following multiple seasons impacted by back and nerve issues.

Simmons’ NBA path has been uneven since his early success with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he won Rookie of the Year and earned three All-Star selections. After being traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2022, injuries limited him to 90 games over more than two seasons. He was bought out in early 2025 and later signed a minimum contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. While teams such as the New York Knicks were reportedly linked to Simmons in recent rumors, no deal materialized. Simmons has suggested that a return would only happen once he feels fully prepared to compete at a high level, potentially around an All-Star break or later in a future season.

For now, Simmons appears focused on recovery, long-term health, and selective opportunities beyond basketball. His move into professional fishing ownership reflects a broader trend of athletes diversifying into alternative sports and business ventures while reassessing their primary careers.

Whether Simmons eventually returns to the NBA or continues expanding his role in the SFC, his current path highlights a period of transition rather than a definitive ending.