Bringing Pro Basketball Home: Roy Smiley and the Florida Tropics

Forget what you know about traditional basketball—the ABA is back in South Florida with a fresh take on America's favorite indoor sport. Roy Smiley, owner of the Florida Tropics, joins us to unveil his vision for bringing high-octane professional basketball to Broward County.The Florida Tropics will call Nova Southeastern University home when their season kicks off on October 18th, 2025. Unlike conventional basketball, the ABA features game-changing elements like the 3D clock that transforms three-pointers into four-point shots and rewards half-court bombs with five points. This creates a lightning-fast pace where no lead is safe and comebacks happen in the blink of an eye.Beyond the excitement on the hardwood, Smiley's mission resonates on a deeper level. As a Broward native whose parents served as educators and coaches in the community, he's building the Tropics as both entertainment and opportunity. The franchise creates a vital pathway for overlooked talent—players who missed Division I opportunities due to grades, suffered injuries, or simply need another route to professional basketball abroad or in the G League. With playground legend Duke Skywalker already signed and several Big Three players in negotiations, the caliber of play promises to be exceptional.The Tropics experience extends well beyond basketball, featuring pre-game networking tailgates, performances from classic and contemporary artists, and family-friendly pricing that makes professional sports accessible again. At just $75 for a family package and kids under five free, it's affordable entertainment with maximum community impact. As Smiley puts it, "This is something that we can now call our own and cheer about and be proud about, because it's ours."Ready to witness basketball history? Visit www.floridatropicsaba.com for tickets and follow the team's journey on Instagram to catch glimpses of their upcoming documentary release.Local Living is a community podcast for Palm Beach to Parkland. Are You A Local Business, Resident, Leader or Non-Profit?  If so, we would love to have you on the podcast! Go to www.locallivingpodcast.com for all of the info.