The British Basketball League are considering an application from a franchise based in Southend.

The as-yet-unnamed team would be based at the Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre with a capacity of 1,100.

Essex Basketball's Ian Mollard told BBC Essex: "The county has a real heritage with the sport and we think a pro team here would be successful."

The county hosted top-flight basketball when Essex Leopards were based at Brentwood, but they closed in 2003.

The BBL's franchise committee have visited the proposed venue in Southend and expect an announcement to be made in a month's time.

Mollard added: "We're looking at using home-grown players, some of whom will have come through our elite basketball training programme at South East Essex College.

"Previously teams have been loaded with Americans and overseas players although you are now only allowed two non-Europeans in a team."

The BBL Championship currently operates with 12 teams but does have the capacity to raise that to 16.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version