The Midwest Professional Basketball Association (MPBA) is a professional men's basketball league that is scheduled to begin play in January 2015. The six charter members are: Bloomington Flex, Champaign Swarm, Chicago Force, Gateway Steam, St. Louis RiverSharks and Windy City Groove.Of the six inaugural season teams, only the Bloomington Flex have previously competed. The Flex were 2012 and 2013 champions of the Premier Basketball League (PBL).