The arc of an NBA career, especially one starting as the first overall draft pick, rarely veers into deep-sea competitive angling. Yet, for Ben Simmons, the transition from the hardwood of the Los Angeles Clippers to the ownership deck of a professional fishing franchise is now a documented reality.
The Australian athlete, who last saw NBA action during a difficult 2025 playoff run—culminating in a box score featuring zero points, one rebound, and one block—finds himself currently without a team. While many athletes spend their off-season focusing purely on physical conditioning, Simmons has made an investment that is as unique as his playing style: purchasing the South Florida Sails, a team in the rapidly growing Sport Fishing Championship (SFC).
The Unconventional Pivot: From Playoff Hopes to the SFC
The decision to delve into professional fishing might seem like a drastic departure for a player who, only a few years ago, was considered one of the most promising talents in basketball. However, Simmons’ move into the SFC—a league comprising 16 teams across 11 states that compete in various high-stakes fishing tournaments for a seasonal title—is not merely a distraction; it is a serious business endeavor driven by genuine passion.
Simmons offered insight into the appeal of this niche sport, emphasizing its surprising complexity and technical demands.
“It`s a niche sport, but once you try it and understand what it involves, you fall in love,” Simmons explained. “Sport fishing has always been something that interested me. The technique is a fundamental component. These guys are fishing on multi-million dollar vessels and stay on the water for days straight. It is a tough discipline, but highly enjoyable. It’s one of those worlds you have to live in to truly grasp.”
This is not backyard casting. The SFC represents a high-level competition, combining significant investment, strategic navigation, and grueling physical endurance—qualities that, in their own way, mirror the commitment required for professional basketball.
A Focus on Ownership: Building the Miami Fishing Community
Crucially, Simmons is not donning waders and competing for the South Florida Sails. He is clear about his role: he is the owner, not the angler. When questioned about participating, he readily admitted, perhaps with a touch of technical humility, that he is “not the best fisherman.”
His objective is community building and development within the Sport Fishing Championship, particularly centered around the Miami market.
“I have a great passion for helping these guys grow this sport because I genuinely believe in it,” he stated. “So, for me to compete would be a bit selfish. Maybe, if I dedicate enough effort to become a decent fisherman, I might join the team. But for me, it`s more important to build a community in Miami around fishing. That’s what’s really important.”
The Unfinished NBA Chapter
Despite his earnest dedication to the South Florida Sails, the NBA dream remains very much alive. Simmons confirmed that his current intense physical training is geared toward making a comeback.
It is, of course, a human impulse to wonder about the conclusion of a story left mid-sentence. For a player who arrived with such immense fanfare, the abrupt halt to his career has left an undeniable void.
Regarding his future in basketball, Simmons was resolute:
“I am a human being, it’s normal that I think about it, I want to find out [what’s next]. I don’t think this story is over for me, but let’s see how it goes. So, as long as I commit and put in the necessary energy, everything else will follow.”
For now, Ben Simmons occupies a fascinating dual reality: training “exhaustively” to recapture his form for a possible NBA contract while simultaneously managing a competitive team on the open seas. The shift from controlling the pace of an NBA offense to mastering the unpredictability of competitive marine sports is certainly a remarkable plot twist in an already unique career narrative.
