The London Lions have achieved significant domestic success, securing the first regular-season title of the SLB (the successor to the defunct BBL) for the 2024-2025 season. Their dominance continued with a double this season, claiming the SLB Trophy on February 1st and the SLB Cup on March 22nd. However, Managing Director Lenz Balan has revealed ambitions that extend far beyond the borders of the United Kingdom.
“The London Lions project is to become, without complexes, a global basketball brand. This sport has been largely neglected in this country. I don’t care about being the best team in the UK. I want to be one of the best teams in the world,” he told Sportcal.
Greater London, a vast territory of 1,500 km² with a population of 8.6 million, presents a significant advantage. While basketball is still developing in the region, the British capital is a prime target for the NBA Europe and EuroLeague initiatives, although the Lions’ specific role in these future endeavors remains to be defined.
“We are very clear about our ambition to become a leading European club, whether that’s in NBA Europe or the EuroLeague, regardless of the outcome. And I think what we’re trying to do is say: ‘Join us on this journey and let’s build a truly exceptional club in a young, dynamic city that is content-driven and culturally connected. I think high-level international competition will be a significant catalyst for British basketball, in that it will bring private investment and private capital into the ecosystem, which is essential, as well as much-needed expertise… But,” he adds, “I don’t think there’s any point in having a professional basketball club in London if it’s not playing at a world-class level, or at least European level. London is a very important market for all these stakeholders, and we are striving every day to earn the respect of the wider community. We still have a lot of work to do, but we are determined to become a global brand.”
To achieve their goals, the Lions are planning the construction of a 15,000-seat arena. This venue is envisioned to host approximately 40 basketball games annually, including Lions’ matches and international events, as well as over 100 “sports and cultural shows” to diversify its calendar. It will serve as the home for both the men’s and women’s Lions teams and function as a training center.
“We are at a pivotal moment where, as a league and as a country, we will be forced to act, one way or another. The NBA is coming and will demand that we play in arenas, as well as the creation of academies. The EuroLeague is already established and expects the same from us. FIBA is also present. The main challenge now lies in the mechanism of constraint that will force us all to adapt quickly.”
