Indonesia Basketball League Salaries: IBL Salaries, Player/Team Salary Cap & More (Full Breakdown, 2023)
Indonesia basketball league salaries [chart]
|
Player Salary Ranges |
US$1,000 - $3,000/per month |
|
Most Commonly Reported Salary |
US$2,000/mth |
|
Lowest Reported Salary |
US$1,000/mth |
|
MAX Salary |
US$3 000/mth |
|
Sources Referenced
|
Nine (9) |
Source : Josecolorado.com, Professional Basketball Players Survey Data [2022]
IBL basketball salaries
Overseas basketball players in the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) can expect to make between US$1,000 - $3,000/per month. Each IBL team is allowed two imports (Americans).
However, combined their salaries cannot exceed US$4,000/per month.
Based on our overseas basketball salaries study that examined 100-plus pro leagues in the world, Indonesia is in the lower tier pay grade worldwide.
Other countries/leagues in Asia that have similar wages include:
How much do indonesian basketball players make?
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Indonesia Basketball League (IBL) Salaries (Foreigners) |
|
|
Team Salary Cap (Foreigners) |
US$4,000/per month |
|
No. of foreigner players under salary cap |
Two players (2) |
|
Min. Foreigner salary |
US$1,000/per month |
|
Max. Foreigner salary |
US$3,000/per month |
|
Average Foreigner salary |
US$2,000/per month |
|
Projected salary cap |
Increase in 2023 |
The average Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) salary for overseas basketball players is $2,000/per month.
IBL rules state the MAX. an individual player can make is US$3,000/per month however.
The minimum is US$1,000/per month.
As mentioned:
When it comes to the foreigners salary cap, the only other stipulation - beyond the $3K Max. salary per player - is imports’ salaries combined cannot exceed US$4,000/per month.
In theory then, a team can split up its $4k monthly budget however they want.
Here are some examples:
Split foreigner salaries at $2k/per month between players
Split foreigner salaries at $3,000 - $1,000/per month between player
Split foreigner salaries at $2,500 - $1,500/per month between players
…you get the point:
In total it’s $4k and one player can’t go over $3k.
IBL coaches tell me teams usually divide its money evenly at $2k a piece per import player.
Of course:
This will change depending on the player and team.
Better imports will receive a bigger portion.
Another important consideration:
One well-known IBL coach tells me this $4k budget will increase in 2023.
So players could be seeing a bigger payday playing in the IBL in the years to come (more on this later).
Who is the best indonesian basketball player?
When it comes to purely Indonesians who have played in the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL), Mario Wuysang is most often referred to as the best Indonesian player of all-time.
Wuysang scored +1,000 points in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) - one of Asia’s top competitions previously - playing with his IBL club.
It is believed during his playing career he was also one of the highest paid players in the IBL.
Mario Wuysang is suspected to be one of the highest-paid IBL players ever.
However unlike the foreigners, Indonesian local players can experience a much different reality when it comes IBL salaries.
According to a Vice Sports report (2018), Indonesians can earn as little as US$225/per month.
In all likelihood, this basement price has probably increased over the years.
But chances are lower-end Indonesian player salaries still hover around here.
In general:
The earning potential of foreigners (Americans) will be higher than that of Indonesians.
But that is common practice in the vast majority of overseas basketball leagues as imports have greater expectations.
The top Indonesians (National Team Players) will earn salaries roughly equal to foreigners.
Indonesia Basketball League
|
Indonesia Basketball League (IBL) Format |
|
|
Year Founded |
2016 (rebranded from NBL) |
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No. of Teams |
16 |
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No. of Divisions |
Two (2) |
|
Season Length |
4-5 months (including preseason) |
|
Time Period |
January – March or Nov/Dec. – March/April |
|
No. of Imports allowed |
Two (2) |
|
No. of Imports allowed on court at same time |
One (1) |
|
Foreigner Draft? |
Yes |
|
Rookie Draft? |
Yes |
|
FIBA certified |
Yes |
The Indonesia Basketball League is split into two divisions (White and Red) with 16 teams overall. Each club is permitted two foreigners.
But only one foreigner can play at a time, allowing local Indonesians to star.
Based on that formula, the IBL seems to be taking off.
Just look at how many teams have entered the league in recent years:
IBL Team Expansion ( 2016 - 2022)
Previously the competition was named the National Basketball League (NBL).
But after rebranding in 2016, the league set its foundation with eight teams.
After a few years of settling in, the IBL has added eight teams in three years.
Here were the four teams added in 2022:
Rans PIK Basketball
Evos Thunder Bogor
Bumi Borneo Pontianak
Tangerang Hawks
And there certainly appears to be the demand.
Just take a look at the IBL’s accounts.
It has:
Great social media presence
Professional coverage (photos, highlights)
High fan attendance
League structure (Draft, Cups, All-Star Week)
Marketing campaigns
The NBA has also noticed.
In recent years the league has poured millions into the country to develop basketball further.
Remember:
Indonesia has a population of roughly 274 million people.
So if basketball continues to expand here then the opportunity to scale up (increase wages) could be massive.
But there are some drawbacks for foreigners.
For starters:
Only two foreigners are allowed per club.
Beyond that only one foreigner can be on the court at a time.
Translation:
You better produce while out there.
If not:
Your fellow American - and teammate - could quickly eat up your minutes.
And if that keeps happening, why would the team keep you on its payroll?
You’ll likely get sent home.
So players better be ready to eat as soon as they step on the court.
Indonesia basketball league draft
The only way to get into the Indonesia Basketball League (IBL) is through its annual two-round draft. In 2022, nearly 50 foreigners and rookies combined were selected for IBL teams through the draft.
For the 2022 IBL season there were:
30 foreigners selected (15 Round 1, 15 R2)
15 rookies selected (15 R1, 4 R2)
Take a look at the LIVE IBL Draft broadcast below:
Remember:
In 2022, there were:
16 IBL teams
2 Foreigners allowed per team
That means:
30/32 (94 per cent) foreigners came directly from the IBL Draft to start the season.
What’s even better (at least for some people)?
Nearly all 30 foreigners were American!
That is unsurprising considering how respected American players are in the rest of the world.
However, with that comes great expectations and responsibilities as I’ve written about in the past.
But if you are American, at least know you fit the profile to begin with - they are looking for you.
How do i enter the ibl draft in indonesia?
A FIBA-certified agent must enter players into the Indonesia Basketball League (IBL) Draft.
Unfortunately, players cannot do it on their own.
Previously there was a requirement stating players couldn’t exceed 6’6 (2.01 meters) to play.
But as of 2023 that rule is gone.
Here are the official requirements of the IBL Draft moving forward:
Players must be entered by a FIBA-certified agent
Players must register how much they desire to make under the IBL pay grade guidelines ($1k - $3k/per month)
Although these may seem a little quirky to some, pre-draft foreigner requirements are actually quite common in many Asian overseas basketball leagues.
There are a few main reasons behind the philosophy:
Introduce foreigners into the league to improve overall game play
Control quality of foreigners entering IBL by going through a trusted agent
Don’t create an over reliance on foreigners (only two allowed)
Unique challenges such as these are what makes overseas basketball so interesting for imports.
The book below, Called for Traveling, does a nice job of capturing that from an American perspective.
Check it out if interested.
Whether right or wrong, the draft requirements exist.
So you better know whether you’re eligible before spending your time.
Should an American get cut or injured, then IBL teams will call-up players who went undrafted previously.
So the draft is the only way in.
If you’re thinking:
“How do I get an agent to enter me for the IBL draft?”
Then I would recommend checking out my article on How to find the right FIBA agent for you.
Indonesia basketball league draft (rookies)
The Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) Draft also works as a way for Indonesian players to get into the league as two rounds are held to get these players on IBL teams.
I am told currently ‘naturalized Indonesians’ can also enter this draft.
A ‘naturalized Indonesian’ just means anyone who has another citizenship/passport but also has an Indonesian passport.
So if you are:
American - Indonesian
Australian - Indonesian
Canadian - Indonesian
Filipino - Indonesian
…etc. then you are eligible.
In Vietnam - through its pro league the Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA) - a similar practice is held for Vietnamese players.
I’ve written for years about the power of passports/citizenship in overseas basketball.
This proves that point - again.
The Indonesia Basketball League (IBL) has a great fanbase and social media team which should help drive up revenue and basketball salaries.
The IBL is quite literally looking for Indonesians - at home and abroad - to strengthen its league.
So much so that it created a draft for this sole purpose!
But do know:
IBL draft requirements and restrictions can change.
Consider its timeline:
2016: IBL Draft is introduced (foreigners allowed)
2018: IBL Draft allows three foreigners
2021: IBL Draft is cancelled (no foreigners allowed in league)
2022: IBL Draft is reintroduced (two foreigners allowed)
2023: IBL Draft strikes down height restriction for foreigners
So I’ll be updating this page as it evolves over the years.
But for the time being just know this:
The IBL Draft is by far the best way to get your overseas career started in Indonesia and potentially in Asia.
CONCLUSION
So there you have it.
The most comprehensive breakdown of the Indonesian basketball League (IBL) on the internet today.
Although overseas basketball salaries in Indonesia may be a bit on the lower side for an Asian market, hoopers should keep an eye out on this market.
The IBL has a:
Great fan base (media coverage)
Large population
Good league structure (IBL All-Star game, IBL Draft)
Expansion plans (4 IBL teams were added in 2022)
That could all result in increased basketball salaries in the years to come.
What have you heard about the Indonesia Basketball League (IBL)?
Let me know in the comments below!
Jose Colorado is a 6-year professional basketball player helping others achieve their dreams of pro basketball with a proven and tested approach to overseas basketball.
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