Sport

‘New’ Manchester team set to take Super League Basketball by storm

News of a Super League actually spells good omens for a change.

Blake Keeble Blake Keeble - 22nd August 2024

Mancunian basketball fans can rejoice, as Manchester’s basketball scene, though still the subject of much uncertainty, is set to survive – just maybe not quite as you know it.

They might currently be known as the Manchester Giants, but the city’s biggest professional basketball team are looking like they are about to take on a whole new identity in the newly formed top-flight division, simply entitled Super League Basketball.

At one point, it looked unclear as to whether a pro division would even continue here in Greater Manchester or the UK as a whole, for that matter, after the British Basketball Federation revoked the British Basketball League’s license in July following concerns regarding the operators’ finances.

However, thanks to a consortium of clubs banding together, Super League Basketball (SLB) has now been officially established in its place, with Manchester being purchased as the ninth and final franchise soon to take part in the rebranded competition’s inaugural roster of teams.

Manchester’s male and female squads have been sold to the American-based private portfolio, Sherwood Family Investment Office.

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The equity group invests in a variety of global projects and is now looking to bring an innovative and creative approach to the Manc basketball outfit.

Although it remains unclear as to what exactly this will look like for the club we know as the Giants at present, it’s being reported that the SLB Manchester team will likely be a whole new entity and brand.

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Now led by chief executive officer Ned Sherwood, who boasts more than 40 years of experience at a large equity firm, and president Ben Pierson, it’s pretty much starting from a clean slate.

Even the current Giants administration themselves have confessed in a transparent update to fans on social media: “It is not clear at this time if the Giants name will remain”. The post also detailed that Dominique Allen, the club’s former operations manager, has now been promoted to head of operations.

Speaking on the acquisition, Sherwood explains: “The new energy of the league is palpable. We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting turning point in professional basketball in Great Britain.

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“The goal over my career has been to find or build high-quality businesses with top-level management teams. As partners, we work tirelessly to help our businesses achieve long-term success. We look forward to developing a sustainable, elite franchise for Manchester.”

The new owners have also promised that the female team won’t be overlooked and will be “continuing in their elite competition.”

Since entering the previous top-flight division back in 2012, now formerly known as the BBL, it’s fair to say the Giants have somewhat struggled to live up to the hype of the city’s historic sports teams and the wider culture embedded within them.

In fact, the Manchester Giants only had one season in which they played above .500 basketball (win as many games as you lose) which came under head coach Lloyd Carner in the 2021-22 post-Covid cancellation year, finishing with a record 14-13.

manchester giants 2023
The Giants warming up against the Caledonia Giants in December 2023. (Credit: DaHuzyBru via Wikimedia Commons)

Frustratingly, Manchester is also home to the Magic and Mystics, one of the best youth basketball programmes anywhere in the UK. Both have won more than 50 national titles since 2000, developing heaps of internationals in that time.

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Furthermore, the club runs a thriving Academy basketball scheme, that competes in the EABL (Elite Academy Basketball League) and WEABL (Women’s Elite Academy Basketball League).

This is the premier junior basketball competition in the UK and features a Diploma in Sporting Excellence pathway, hosting the very top under-19 programmes in the country. Yet, it seems, that little of this vital grassroots work has translated onto the senior court for Manchester basketball fans.

Nevertheless, with a wealthy pool and youth talent and these feeder programmes, this could be the time for the professional team to join the ride and take off. Manchester’s basketball scene is Super League-ready, it just needs a push, proper backing and the right infrastructure.

As per Hoopsfix, President Pierson went on to add in a statement: “Manchester is a world-class city for sport and culture. We aim to bring the Manchester franchise back to the level it belongs – competing for trophies for the city.

“Basketball in Manchester is an integral part of schools, youth, and culture. It is imperative that we restore stability throughout the franchise, and grow our partnerships throughout the community. We look forward to delivering on this through our actions, not just our words.”

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Pierson is correct; Manchester has fantastic youth basketball, is home to the National Basketball Performance Centre at Belle Vue, and boasts world-class teams and athletes across various disciplines, as well as being one of the most diverse and multicultural rich sporting capitals on the planet.

Adding pro-ball into the mix would only serve as more proof in the pudding.

Who knows for how long the Manchester Giants will be the name we know are ballers by? All we know is we’re glad the game isn’t leaving 0161 any time soon. Stay posted for more details on Super League Basketball’s upcoming debut season and the next iteration of Manchester’s premier basketball team.

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Featured Images — Manchester Giants (supplied)/Super League Basketball

Sport

The hearing over Manchester City’s 115 FFP charges will officially start next week

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester City hearing over 115 FFP charges start date next week

After more than a year of speculation as to when proceedings will finally start, it has been confirmed that the hearing regarding Manchester City and their 115 FFP charges is set to begin next week.

Man City were first slapped with the laundry list of alleged breaches of FFP (financial fair play) and failure to comply with Premier League rules on profit and sustainability (PSR) back in February 2023, but little movement on the case has been reported since then.

In that time, they also won the coveted Treble and their record-breaking fourth league title in a row; meanwhile, the club have continued to deny all claims of rule-breaking.

However, it has now been revealed that City‘s hearing will now kick off on Monday, 16 September.

As explained in various reports, given the extended nature of the claims made against the Manchester side, it is estimated that the case could run on for up to two months if not longer.

Furthermore, it is thought a decision isn’t expected to arrive until spring 2025 – again, this is simply due to the number of charges brought up over the best part of a decade.

In case you need a refresher, the allegations levelled at Man City date back to 2009 and concern a supposed nine years of financial irregularities, as well as subverting UEFA FFP rules.

Some of the accusations made against them also include failing to cooperate with the European football body and the Premier League, as well as offering ‘secret contracts’ so as to pay one particular manager a larger sum than what they recorded in their financial statements.

The final verdict, whenever it is reached, will be handed down by an independent commission and City will still be able to make an official appeal.

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The club itself launched unprecedented legal action against the English top-flight back in June but it doesn’t appear to have been enough to swat away those investigating the books.

It goes without saying that were they to be found guilty, it would be the biggest financial scandal in English football history and could be seismic for the future of money in the sport and regulations surrounding ownership, which have already grown tighter following the charges being issued.

And in case you needed a more detailed refresher on what exactly they are being tried for and what the possibilities are regarding punishment if found guilty, here’s a quick rundown:

What punishment could Manchester City face for FFP breaches?
The outcome and level of punishment following the Man City hearing could vary greatly in severity.

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Featured Images — Arne Müseler (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sport

Billy Harris’ sensational Davis Cup debut helps secure GB’s opening win in Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Great Britain grabbed their first win in the opening game of the 2024 Davis Cup Finals group stage this week with a hard-fought day against Finland which featured a truly stunning debut from would-be dark horse Billy Harris.

‘The World Cup of Tennis’ returned to Manchester’s AO Arena on Tuesday for the next stage of the tournament, with Britain getting their Finals group games underway this past Wednesday and starting as they mean to go on.

It may have been too early to throw in Jack Draper – who despite being one of their most promising squad members is still pretty raw from his draining semi-final defeat in the US Open last week – but, thankfully, experienced Dan Evans got the ball rolling and it became a case of building on the advantage.

That being said, you could tell from the early points of Evans’ opener against world no. 703 Eero Vasa that it was going to be a long day for the home team, as the sets felt drawn out right from the off.

Birmingham’s finest was taken to a tense tie-break in the first set of the day but, tough as always, he weathered the early test and emerged with a 7-6 (3), 6-2 victory over the Finnish underdog who looked to be playing well above form.

Evans’ stamina and resilience were a big factor in their dominant display in the qualifiers last September too, but energy levels can only take you so far and after a tiring first match, Finland piled on the pressure in the doubles fixture where he and partner Neal Skupski just couldn’t quite survive two tie-break sets.

The 34-year-old duo were truly put to the test but, fortunately, the game was already a bit of a dead rubber, as the real star of the show came in the form of surprising debutant Billy Harris from Nottingham, who impressed everyone with his emphatic performance against in the other singles fixture beforehand.

Harris only earned his first ATP Tour win last year and is admittedly a bit of a latecomer to the party, but his journey is an inspiring one: working hard over the last 12 months and simply continuing to push so as to now earn his stripes with a Wimbledon debut earlier this year as well.

At 29, he’s at a crucial point in his prime years as an athlete, so it was important that he did his utmost to leave his mark on the GB squad at his first Davis Cup, and he tackled that objective head-on.

Notching a comprehensive 6-4 7-6 (7-4) win against Otto Virtanen – who is no slouch in this particular tournament – team captain Leon Smith said of the showing: “I’m thrilled for Billy – I think that’s one of the best debuts you’ll have seen. It was that good.”

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Even on an early afternoon mid-working week, the second day of this year’s Davis Cup managed to attract nearly 6,500 fans to the AO Arena (roughly 90% capacity), which just goes to show how much of an appetite there is for the sport here in Manchester.

The opening rounds of the competition’s return to the city after a whopping three decades late last year saw its biggest overall attendance ever in this country and it’s clear Great Britain look very at home playing here.

Our boys take on Argentina in the next round this Friday, 13 September, where hopefully the likes of Draper can come back into the fold and give the likes of Evan, who has struggled with fitness of late, a much-needed bit of rest where possible.

Even without the likes of the now-retired Andy Murray, an injured Cam Norrie and Stockport’s Liam Broady, GB still look to be one of the teams in with a really strong chance of going all the way. Is The World Cup of Tennis ‘coming home’ and just how big a maiden tournament is Billy Harris going to have?

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Billy Harris/ATP/Davis Cup (via Instagram)

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