Troy Deeney throws hat into ring for Birmingham BBL franchise
Birmingham City striker Troy Deeney has expressed an interest in owning a BBL franchise in Birmingham following a conversation with London Lions’ minority owner Femi Oyeniran.
In a wide-ranging conversation on his podcast ‘Deeney Talks’ last month, Oyeniran challenged the 34 year old millionaire to start a professional basketball team in Birmingham.
“Let’s talk,” Deeney responded. “Let’s go, let’s make this work, there’s enough people, enough influential people to do (it)…I’ll go on record now, if you show me how to do it, we’ll make it happen.”
Femi responded with:
“Ok cool I’ll set up a meeting and we’ll make it happen because I think we need a Birmingham team.”
🗣 @femioyeniran gets @T_Deeney throws his hat into the ring for a @BBLOfficial franchise in Birmingham 🙌🇬🇧🏀
🎥 @DeeneyTalks pic.twitter.com/FH7Lv9otBU
— Hoopsfix (@Hoopsfix) March 10, 2023
Deeney’s co-host – Marc “Disk” Williams – mentioned the City of Birmingham Rockets – who are involved with an investment group trying to establish a franchise in Birmingham, though both responded they are not a professional club.
The BBL said no formal approach has been made yet, but welcome the interest.
“We have received no formal approaches from Troy Deeney to date regarding a new franchise in Birmingham but are delighted to see the league is attracting interest from potential outside investors,” the league office said in a statement to Hoopsfix.
“The BBL are committed to growing and strengthening the infrastructure of the league in a successful and sustainable way so that when potential franchises join we can set them up for success.”
Oyeniran, with his business partner and co-director Nicky ‘Slimting’ Walker were given minority shareholder status with the London Lions in April 2022, and have helped the club get cultural crossover within the London scene with a number of high profile celebrities, musicians and actors attending games.
In the podcast, Oyeniran added he has been trying to get the league to change the name from BBL to BBA, due to the former’s association with the cosmetic surgery.
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