Global league boosts talent pool with NBA-style draft

The professional International Swimming League will mirror the NBA and NHL when it conducts its first global talent draft during the week of June 21.

The draft will include a "protected" list of swimmers retained by their original team, and spots open for free agents and new additions to the league.

"Over the league's first two seasons, ISL clubs signed swimmers on an individual basis. Moving forward, the draft, which is open to qualified swimmers worldwide, aims to ensure that lower-ranked teams have priority in strengthening their position in the upcoming season and general managers can implement their team's selection strategy in an open and transparent manner," the Zurich-based league said in a release.

"The draft also ensures that ISL's loyal fans are provided with a unique opportunity to have a say in the teams' selection process, further increasing their engagement."

One week prior to the draft, each GM will release a protected list of 15 swimmers from the 2020 rosters that will be retained by their team; fans will then vote on retaining one additional member for each team.

Starting with last season's lowest ranked, each of the 10 clubs will then be given the opportunity to select 11 additional swimmers from the ISL's worldwide draft pool.

The selection process will conclude with GMs completing their rosters, selecting from the remaining swimmers in the draft pool, to a maximum of 36.

"The International Swimming League continues to innovate in creating a professional competitive experience unprecedented in swimming history. By introducing a draft, we are adding yet another element of excitement and intrigue ahead of our third season," said ISL founder Konstantin Grigorishin.

"The ISL draft, revolutionary in the sport, will combine team strategy and individual strategy, while giving a chance to the league's fans to have their say on who they want to see on their favorite team.

"Going forward, the draft will be one of the pillars of our continued development of a high-quality 'sportainment' product, promoting ISL athletes and their achievements within our team format, as we combine strategy, performance and game-ification."

ISL Season 3 will take place in three phases. Starting at the end of August, the first phase will see the 10 clubs competing over six weeks in a setting similar to that of season two's bubble in Budapest.

That will be followed by a three-week playoff phase in November, involving the top eight teams. The ISL Grand Finale is set to take place at the end of December.

The league is currently selecting cities for the third season, with talks taking place in Asia, Europe and North America.

"We proved to the sporting world last year that the International Swimming League is a fantastic 'sportainment' product. Our athletes, coaches and managers put on a spectacular show in Budapest," said Grigorishin.

"The world-class performances, amplified by a production unsurpassed in the world of swimming, made the sporting world sit up and take notice. The ISL is here to stay. Now is the time to build on our momentum with a spectacular Season 3.

"We believe we have a moral and financial obligation to our athletes, and the ISL will continue to support them during these incredibly challenging times for elite sport."

All 10 teams that competed last year are returning for Season 3.Europe-based Aqua Centurions (Rome), Energy Standard (Paris), Budapest Iron and London Roar will be joined by North America's Cali Condors (San Francisco), DC Trident (Washington), LA Current, NY Breakers and Toronto Titans, as well Japan's Tokyo Frog Kings.