We sent mail – A British Basketball Proposal

It is interesting to note that while the substantive suggestions have not been taken up … as yet, certain bits have come to pass over the years like the establishment of a team in Manchester and the USA team playing at the Manchester Arena in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics.

This paper was sent to its recipients in 2007.

Different versions of this proposal was sent to the then Chairman of ITV, The Owners of Manchester City and Manchester United and the then Director General of the BBC among others.

My reason for writing to you is this.

Unbelievably, there is another glorious opportunity in the UK that you may or may not have been made aware of. That is Basketball. As a big fan of the NBA, I know the potential that the Sport offers in the UK in the coming years.

The UK Basketball scene provides the opportunity for sensational growth over the next decade.

At the moment there are 12 professional teams playing in the top league in the UK – The BBL (British Basketball League).

The teams are; Scottish Rocks, Newcastle Eagles, Sheffield Sharks, Milton Keynes Lions, Guildford Heat, Worcester Wolves, London Capital, Plymouth Raiders, Cheshire Jets, Leicester Riders, Birmingham Panthers and Everton Tigers.

The BBL has announced recently that it is to expand back to 16 teams over the next couple of years.

Games are generally played in Sports centres in the UK, however a number of teams have access to Arenas as the sport develops. This includes Newcastle who already play in an arena, Scotland who play in an arena, Sheffield, London and others.

Here in Manchester we have access to the fabulous MEN Arena, but at present we have no BBL team. Further, I believe that plans are in hand for Manchester City Council to build another in-door arena with a capacity of 5,000.

Basketball used to be massive in Manchester in the past and Manchester United actually owned a team some years ago.

One of our greatest games ever, saw a crowd of 14,000+ at the MEN for a Championship game between Manchester Giants and Sheffield Sharks. Sheffield won that one with a sensational last second shot.

My involvement in the sport has gone on for over 25 years and I have been involved in almost every aspect of the sport. I am now the in-house commentator for the Sheffield Sharks and I am also the in-house commentator for all the National Finals, held in venues across the UK.

I believe there are two fantastic opportunities awaiting someone with great vision:

One is to establish a team in Manchester,

The second, to take control of the League as a whole and grow it into the type of organisation it should be.

So what will it take to make the sport massive in the UK?

Well money is one but it is not the only thing. In the past the sport has suffered from very poor management which has seen its decline over the past few years.

Following a major disagreement with Sky, they now refuse to even contemplate putting Basketball on Sky Sports on a regular basis. Having said that, if they could be made to see the potential, they would be back.

Setanta also provides an opportunity to by-pass SKY.

Back in the day, Basketball was one of the major sports on Sky. I actually did 3½ years as their play-by-play commentator. Those were the days!

I truly believe that with the right investment, the right management, and the right television exposure, Basketball could very quickly grow into a multi million pound product.

Although I am not presently involved in the management of the sport I do know all of the individuals and I know they are keen to grow the sport.

So what’s the way forward?

I believe a team should be established in the Manchester area at the earliest possible time. This is an opportunity too good to be missed.

Further, I believe that someone investing in the BBL now, and say over the next 5 years, will see instant growth and profits running into millions from then on.

The money should be used to purchase 51% of the BBL, with the owners keeping 49%. New Franchises would have to pay to join the league, and would get their share from the 49%.

The money should be used to;

Appoint a Commissioner,
Publicise the sport,
Attract sponsors
Get better quality players,
Facilitate the move of all teams into Arenas,
Attract suitable new franchises and to
Launch a Basketball Television Channel in the UK.

I know that the NBA would provide historical programming to help sustain it.

With the build up to the 2012 Games now well on the way, the potential is AWESOME!

Millions of pounds have been earmarked by Sport England for Basketball to ensure we are able to compete effectively in the 2012 Olympic Games. This summer the Great Britain Men’s and Women’s teams both qualified to play in the top division of European Basketball in the future.

I hope I have wetted your appetite and shown you what could be achieved in a very short space of time.

Just imagine the US Dream team playing the British Basketball League at the MEN Arena in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic Games.

A League that you could own with a relatively small investment now!

It is just too awesome to think about.

I do hope you are able to arrange a meeting at which I could enthuse even more.

I very much look forward to hearing from you.

Thanking you for your time and kind attention.

Very best wishes

Mike SHAFT