B.LEAGUE executive director Masaaki Sano explains reforms and Kando Nation vision in Saga

A joint regular meeting of the political and economic discussion group and political and economic seminar, sponsored by The Saga Shimbun, was held on the 22nd at Hotel New Otani Saga in Saga City, where B.LEAGUE executive director Masaaki Sano delivered a lecture titled 'B.LEAGUE 2050 Vision: Kando Nation and Regional Revitalization.'

Sano explained the reforms being pursued under the 'Kando Nation' concept, which aims to fill Japan with emotion by revitalizing regions through sports and entertainment. 'Without regional revitalization, club growth is impossible,' he said.

Starting this season, the league has set upper and lower limits on player salaries and abolished its promotion and relegation system. Sano explained that the system is designed to keep funds from concentrating on player investment, which could push clubs into financial crisis, and to encourage sound club management.

Sano said that as business investment progresses, attendance and community activities will be strengthened, and the resulting financial leeway can be used to improve player environments. His remarks showed an approach that links club management with community activities.

The B.LEAGUE is Japan's men's professional league, launched in 2016 when the NBL and the bj League merged. From the 2026-27 season, it will be divided into the first division, B.LEAGUE PREMIER; the second division, B.LEAGUE ONE; and the third division, B.LEAGUE NEXT. Standings are determined by winning percentage, and there are no points.

The lecture gave participants from communities in Saga Prefecture an opportunity to learn about the relationship between club management and regional communities. It specifically addressed what the Kando Nation concept means for local clubs.

Attention will focus on how the operation of the salary system affects each club's management and how each category moves under the three-division structure.

Basketball Press view

The B.LEAGUE is pursuing reforms aimed at keeping investment in players from becoming lopsided and making club management sound. Salary caps and floors and the abolition of promotion and relegation are mechanisms that let clubs allocate funds to player environments, attendance and community activities. The idea that regional revitalization is a precondition for club growth points to a direction for management at local clubs.

This article was written by the Basketball Press editors based on the cited reports. AI is used to assist in writing and translating our articles. Please check the source for full details and exact figures.