Paul Blake Optimistic About Future of BBL

BBL Chairman Paul Blake has said he is optimistic about the future of the British Basketball League and is “absolutely happy” with the position the BBL is in moving forward.

Speaking in an interview published on Eurobasket.com today, Blake said:

“I’m absolutely happy going forward. Its an incredibly tough time to be running any kind of a business let alone a culture changing business which is what these Clubs are trying to achieve. There’s a need from all sorts of Departments and organisations to give the same level of support to this sport that other Clubs in other sports get and take for granted in this country.

Yes, we have to help ourselves as well, absolutely no question and I think were doing everything we can moving forward. But again it comes back to the basic building blocks of Clubs including the facilities the sport needs.

If we can start to tackle some of those issues over the next couple of years with the people we have supporting us behind the scenes who very rarely stick their heads above the parapets as they just get on and do what they have to do then things will improve.”

In the interview he also talks about the knock the BBL took from losing the TV deal with ITV Digital in the early 2000’s (“It not only knocked our league but knocked other sports leagues as well and continues to do so.”), the lack of indoor facilities in the UK (something he can’t get his head around) and responds to those who have called the BBL amongst the worst leagues in Europe (that’s “absolute rubbish”).

Definitely worth a read, check the full interview at Eurobasket, then pop back and drop a comment!