Northwest Indiana is making its mark on the professional basketball map. The Professional Hoops Association (PHA) has established four teams across the region, bringing professional basketball hoops directly to Gary, Hammond, Michigan City, and Valparaiso. This new league represents more than just sports entertainment; it’s creating real economic opportunities for local businesses and communities.
League founder Lewis Shine chose Northwest Indiana deliberately. With deep ties to the region through his wife Charbria Shine, who hails from Gary, Shine saw untapped potential in the area’s sports market. His background speaks to serious business acumen: a former professional player turned team owner, Shine previously helped 15-20 players secure overseas contracts and earned Executive of the Year recognition in his previous league experience.
“We wanted to bring affordable, family-friendly entertainment to communities that deserve professional basketball,” Shine explains. The decision to focus on Northwest Indiana reflects both personal connection and business strategy—the region offers strong venue partnerships and an underserved market hungry for professional sports.
Each PHA team represents a significant economic investment in its host city. The Gary team calls Hudson Campbell home, while Hammond’s team plays at Cal College St. Joseph’s. Michigan City’s team utilizes the impressive high school facility that seats over 6,000 spectators, and Valparaiso’s team partners with Valparaiso University. These venue partnerships create revenue streams that benefit both the facilities and surrounding businesses.
The league’s season structure maximizes economic impact. Running from May through August, professional basketball games bring visitors to each city during prime business months. With plans for 10 home games per team during the full season, that translates to 40 professional sporting events across the four cities annually.
The excitement begins this July with two showcase games at the Rittenmeyer Center in Hammond. Gary United takes on Valparaiso Victory on July 18, followed by Hammond Ambassadors versus Michigan City Lights on July 19. These inaugural games will give local fans their first taste of professional basketball hoops while providing businesses a preview of the economic activity these events generate.
Smart local businesses are already recognizing the opportunity. Current PHA partners include D1 Training in Merrillville, Chicagoland Popcorn, and Cute as a Cupcake. These partnerships demonstrate the diverse ways businesses can benefit from professional basketball hoops—from sports performance training to concessions and catering.
The league offers multiple partnership levels, from in-game advertising to social media promotion. With games streamed online, local business sponsors gain exposure beyond the immediate venue, reaching basketball fans throughout the region and beyond. This digital component amplifies the return on investment for sponsoring companies.
Beyond direct business partnerships, the PHA creates employment opportunities across multiple sectors. Each team requires staff for operations, marketing, venue management, and game-day services. The league also emphasizes community involvement through youth camps and school programs, creating additional part-time and seasonal employment opportunities.
For overlooked college players, the league provides a professional platform to develop skills and gain exposure. This talent development aspect appeals to businesses looking to support workforce development and community investment initiatives.
Shine’s expansion plans reveal the league’s serious business approach. The goal to reach 10 teams by 2030 would more than double the current economic impact. Each new team means additional venue partnerships, more games, increased tourism, and expanded business opportunities throughout Northwest Indiana.
The league’s current structure, with central ownership of all teams, ensures financial stability during the crucial startup phase. Plans for eventual individual team ownership create future investment opportunities for local business leaders and entrepreneurs.
The Professional Hoops Association offers several ways for businesses to participate in this growing market. Sponsorship packages range from single-game promotions to season-long partnerships. The league’s focus on community engagement means businesses can align their brands with positive local development.
Companies interested in concessions, merchandise, or service partnerships will find opportunities as the league establishes its operations. The emphasis on youth programs also creates partnership possibilities for businesses focused on community development and education.
Professional basketball is coming to Northwest Indiana, and it’s bringing economic opportunity with it. Local businesses that engage early with the Professional Hoops Association position themselves to benefit from a growing entertainment market while supporting community development.
The league represents exactly the type of local business development that strengthens regional economies. As the PHA establishes itself, the businesses that partner with professional basketball hoops today will likely see the greatest returns tomorrow.
For more information about partnership opportunities, visit https://www.lewisshine.com/phahoops or follow the league on social media @PHAHoops across Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok.
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