The City League, a basketball-based nonprofit, announced on May 3 that the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country, will serve as the 2025 media sponsor.
President and CEO of Recorder Media Group Robert Shegog said the collaboration extends beyond basketball.
“The Recorder is honored and grateful to be part of The Summer League,” Shegog said. “We are excited to help continue sharing the rich stories and legacy of Indy’s hoops and community. Let’s make it a great year together.”
Executive director of The City League Austin Taylor believes reigniting the connection between the organizations is long overdue.
“For 27 years, it was The Indianapolis Recorder who delivered news about our city’s most famous basketball tournament, the Lockefield Dust Bowl,” Taylor said. “We are excited to work together with The Recorder to carry on their legacy of telling Indianapolis’ summer hoops story.”
The City League, established in 2013 through a Crosstown Neighborhood Association Meeting, began as a grassroots initiative by Little Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, which opened its gym to provide free basketball sessions for local youth.
By 2014, the effort evolved into organized tournaments to fund these activities. Within two years, it expanded through collaboration with King Park and Mapleton-Fall Creek Development Corporations, aligning with community-driven Quality of Life Plans to enhance neighborhood well-being.
Multi-media and senior sports reporter Noral Parham will lead the sponsorship, providing sideline reporting, live coverage of games, play-by-plays and “Recorder Rewind” recaps.
“Hey, sports fans, the Indianapolis Recorder is proud to announce that we are this year’s media sponsor for The City League,” Parham said in a video posted to social media. “We can’t wait to be a part of another summer of homegrown basketball.”
The City League tips off on June 18. For more information, visit thecityleague.org.
Visit indianapolisrecorder.com for more news.
