The British Basketball Association has revealed further plans to establish the U.K.’s premier professional basketball competition. The nationwide league will showcase leading British players alongside int'l basketball talent and provide a timely boost for the sport in the country. The development of the league will be spearheaded by BBA CEO Ron Scott, and newly appointed Chief Commercial & Operating Officer David Paton, who previously led the Sports Advisory Group at U.K. tax firm Grant Thornton. With an initial pool of eight franchised teams, each covering a major U.K. city, the BBA aims to stage its first preseason game in Oct. '14 with the first league game following in Nov. '14. The BBA will then have the option of increasing the number of franchises to 14 depending on the level of demand. BBA Chair Ken Olisa said: “There’s an established and fast growing basketball fan base in the U.K. and, with a mix of star talent and the best in sport entertainment, I’m confident the BBA league matches will become key dates in the sporting calendar" (BBA).
