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Walker's Cay Open
Ben Simmons became majority shareholder and operational controller of South Florida Sails, a professional fishing team. He went on to compete with the team, which won the Walker's Cay Open in May 2026. A clear victory with several blue marlin caught, confirming that the team is well up to speed on the circuit.
Why this change of direction?
His NBA career did not follow the trajectory initially predicted, despite a solid list of achievements including a Rookie of the Year award, three All-Star Game selections and two All-Defensive Team nominations. Injuries, difficulties with his shooting and mental aspects often mentioned publicly weighed heavily on the rest of his career. Against this backdrop, competitive fishing seems less like a fad than a new area of sporting commitment.
A possible return to basketball?
Ben Simmons did not, however, present this interlude as a definitive retirement. One source even said that he was training several days a week with a view to finding another NBA opportunity. In other words, fishing has become a serious project, but not necessarily a definitive exit from basketball.
A competitive framework
This change also says something about his public image: a player long seen as a future big name, then overtaken by injuries and pressure. The fact that he is investing in a competitive sport shows that he remains attracted to environments where high level, strategy and performance count. It's a surprising turn on paper, but quite coherent for an athlete who seeks to remain within a competitive framework.
Ben Simmons hasn't "quit the sport": he's simply shifted his playing field, from the parquet floor to competitive fishing.
