BBL Breaking News (sort of): Bristol Flyers to join league in 2014/15
The British Basketball League will add to its number in 2014/15 with the Bristol Flyers confirmed as taking part in the competition the season after next.
The news was subject to a press embargo until 5:30pm today, but sources on social media announced the news earlier this afternoon.
With the 2012 return of the Manchester Giants, the 2012 relocation of the MK Lions to London and the 2013 addition of a Birmingham franchise, the Flyers are another side who could potentially excite and attract a big following as a major UK city.
The Flyers are already recognised as having one of the best followings outside of the BBL, one of the criteria the league will have looked at in assessing their suitability to be accepted in to the top tier of British Basketball.
Success on the court is of course also a big reason the BBL has welcomed its newest franchise. Bristol Flyers secured promotion to National League Division One in 2007 and have gone on to become National Cup Champions and Division One Champions in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
Martin Griffiths, Chairman of Bristol Sport Ltd. the club’s owners says: “The Flyers have already developed one of the best youth schemes and academy pathways in the country, and having performed so successfully in recent years at the top of the semi-professional leagues, it is right and proper they should be part of the UK’s premier professional basketball league.
“This new Bristol Flyers BBL franchise will give the city’s talented young basketball players and coaches the chance to develop and to shine at the national level. It’s great news for sport in Bristol, and I am delighted that Bristol Sport has been able to make it happen.”
The BBL’s Chief Operating Officer Andy Webb, welcomed the Flyers by saying: “We are delighted to welcome the Bristol Flyers to the BBL. They are a perfect fit to extend our reach within the UK and, with the support of Bristol Sport, we believe all the building blocks are in place for a hugely successful franchise.”
The BBL also announced Monday that further franchise announcements are expected in the coming weeks.
