What is an Affiliate Team?
An Affiliate Team is an independently operated sports team officially recognized by the National Local Sports Association USA (NLSA USA) to represent their local city or region.
Through the NLSA USA Affiliate Team Program, individuals have the opportunity to own and manage their own professional sports team — without purchasing a franchise. Affiliates operate under the NLSA USA brand, gaining access to official league games, showcases, tryouts, and national promotions.
As an affiliate, you’re free from royalties, franchise taxes, and corporate overhead. Instead, you pay a flat licensing fee, operate independently under league guidelines, and keep full control of your team’s operations, staff, and profits.
NLSA USA does not pay player or staff salaries. All team operations, including compensation and logistics, are managed by the affiliate owner.
What You Get as an Affiliate
As an NLSA USA Affiliate, you gain the tools, visibility, and recognition to operate your own professional sports team with confidence. Each affiliate enjoys exclusive access to league resources designed to help you grow, compete, and succeed in your region.
Your Affiliate Benefits Include:
• Authorized use of the NLSA USA name, logo, and official team branding materials
• Guaranteed placement in league-sanctioned events, tournaments, and championship brackets
• Featured team profile on the official NLSA USA website
• Promotion across NLSA USA’s national social media and marketing platforms
• Access to professional-grade templates for uniforms, logos, and promotional materials
By joining as an affiliate, you step into a trusted national network while maintaining full control over your team’s direction, image, and success.
How It Works
Becoming an NLSA USA Affiliate is simple and straightforward. Our streamlined process makes it easy for motivated individuals to launch their own officially licensed team and start competing at a professional level.
Steps to Get Started:
- Submit Your Application — Share your team concept, name, and chosen location for approval.
- Pay the Annual Affiliation Fee — Secure your license and gain access to official league benefits.
- Receive Your Branding Package — Get your official NLSA USA logos, team guidelines, and marketing assets.
- Join the Action — Participate in league games, tournaments, and national events as an official affiliate team.
Participation as an NLSA USA Affiliate is governed by a license agreement. Affiliates operate independently and are not agents or partners of the League.
No. The NLSA USA Affiliate Program is not a franchise. Affiliates pay a flat license fee and operate independently. There are no royalties, no revenue sharing, and no corporate control.
Affiliate Teams are free from royalties, strict playbooks, and corporate overhead. You run your team your way while still carrying the NLSA USA name and brand power.
Each affiliate team owner is responsible for paying their own players and staff. NLSA USA provides tryouts and national rankings but does not directly employ or compensate athletes.
NLSA USA manages national branding, official tryouts, stats, rules of play, and game scheduling. Uniforms and gear must follow league brand guidelines.
Team names must follow NLSA USA branding guidelines and are subject to approval. Each affiliate team name must include a reference to the NLSA brand.
No. Many affiliates start with just a strong concept and location. NLSA USA provides branding materials and guidance to help you launch.
As an affiliate, you receive legal rights to operate under the NLSA USA brand, participate in league-sanctioned events, and profit from your team’s operations within your territory. You maintain full control over staffing, your business model, and financial decisions — within league standards.
You’ll receive access to official logos, uniform templates, promotional tools, and league-wide marketing exposure — plus inclusion in tournaments and championships.
Yes. Affiliate Teams participate in official NLSA USA events, giving your community a chance to rally behind a team with national recognition.
A lot. Affiliates are independent operators. You handle recruitment, coaching, and day-to-day management while aligning with league branding guidelines.