After years of growth, challenges, and reflection, the Punta Gorda Panthers are proud to announce our return to elite basketball in 2025. This moment marks more than just a comeback. It represents a rebirth of our identity, a stronger foundation, and a renewed commitment to the sport, our fans, and the community we represent.
A Promising Start Interrupted
Founded in 2019, the PG Panthers began with a clear mission: to bring professional-level basketball to the deep south of Belize and create a platform for local talent to shine. Our inaugural season in 2020 was filled with excitement and potential. The team was beginning to find its rhythm when the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly shut everything down. Like so many others, we had to pause. Basketball across the country went dormant, and so did our early momentum.
A Difficult Return to the Court
When the national league rebranded in 2023 to form the Belize Elite Basketball League (BEBL), we saw an opportunity to return. But the road back was anything but easy. That season proved to be one of the toughest in our short history. With just a single win and the worst record in the league, it was a humbling experience for the entire organization. We knew we had the heart, but we also saw where changes were needed both on and off the court.
Why We Sat Out in 2024
Choosing to sit out the 2024 season was not an easy decision, but it was a necessary one. While financial limitations and internal restructuring played a role, a larger issue loomed: the uncertainty and instability of the league itself. Leadership changes within the BEBL, an extremely high franchise buy-in cost, and a business model that didn’t align with the needs of small-market teams like ours raised serious concerns.
We took a step back to reflect. We asked ourselves hard questions about our vision, our sustainability, and what kind of league we truly wanted to be part of. It became clear that competing under those circumstances would have compromised the integrity of everything we were trying to build.
The Rise of the BPBL
In 2025, the BEBL failed to launch a season, and from that gap came a new and promising development: the formation of the Belize Premier Basketball League (BPBL). With fresh leadership, a more balanced league structure, and a vision that prioritized the growth of Belizean basketball as a whole, the BPBL offered exactly what we had been waiting for.
The structure made sense. The values aligned. The vision was clear. And for the first time in years, we felt confident in returning to the court under a league that understood and supported our goals.
Back to Compete, Not Just Participate
The Panthers are back in 2025—not simply to fill a roster or play out a season, but to truly compete. We return with a stronger organization, focused leadership, and a deep respect for the process. This isn’t just about basketball. It’s about showing our town what is possible when you don’t give up, even when the odds are against you.
We are committed to doing things the right way. That means investing in our players, engaging with our community, and working every day to become a team that our fans can be proud of.
To every fan who stood by us through the highs and lows, to every young athlete who dreams of representing Punta Gorda at the highest level, and to every supporter of Belizean basketball who believes in the power of sport to transform lives—this season is for you.
Welcome back to the jungle.