Changes At Lions

First game he played just 10 minutes after flying in on the day of the game. Personally I haven't seen enough of him to pass comment. I'm only guessing but the swift nature of the move suggests that another player may have become available.

Yep, I'd read it that way too, perhaps he jumped before he was pushed!

He looked athletic enough but didn't seem to have much presence around the basket, didn't look like he could clear the area out. One of Bristol's main attributes last season was setting screens for Justin, Trent didn't do that very much but it was far too early to tell if he had that in his game.

But one has to presume he wasn’t recruited to be an under-performing American. And they’re now an American short (not to be confused with a short American, which might actually be just as bad come to think of it).
What I was trying to say is that although Riders and Lions may have arrived at their current situations differently it’s looking increasingly likely for both that the Cup is a write off. But also fortunately for both they have the opportunity to right the situation before it impacts their Championship chances.

London. The Lion emoji.
This looks promising...

Last chance saloon for Lions?
The AllStars win has handed Lions a last chance in the BBL with the £25000 being a manna from heaven after recent financial disasters.

Now the gamble is whether using it to lure Ovie to play will pay off in terms of bums on seats. The first game or so should see a big spike in sales but how quickly will this last?

Lions were very close to being extracted from the Copper Box for failing to pay close to £38,000 in owed rent to Better- the owners. It seems according to staff that the owners have become rather tired of promises and indeed they had to be persuaded by the All Stars team to let them play in Sunday’s event as initially they were not be allowed in the venue.

Racking up substantial debts is not uncommon for sports teams but the lack of sponsors hindered Lions considerably for the last season. Players were left unpaid with some of the higher earners jumping ship rather than stay with the League Champions- in particular Jordon Spenser and Kevin Bristol. The latter who went on strike before the BBL Cup final due to not being paid and arguably cost the team the W?
MVP Justin Robinson was due to cross the water to London City Royals Basketball Team but was offered substantial bonuses and a free car after a deal was thrashed out and the manager begging him to stay in North London, the sponsor paying him direct after pleas from the player.
Two former players having had their salaries cut mid season and left are pursuing legal action against the Club- believed to be William Hall and Derek Hall. Trent Weaver has already this season left for hone after non payment of his monthly pay check.
A number of County Court Judgements are filed against the Club who face a very perilous period.
The title in 2018 was won in fine style but at what cost? Players who were too expensive for the BBL giving them an unfair advantage over the divisions other teams?
Maybe Ovie Soko is the chosen one who can attract the crowds and sponsors to the club securing its safety?

I'd give it more credence if he could spell either Jordan Spencer or Kervin Bristol correctly!!


I know there were issues in the season Will was playing, an investor pulled the plug giving Lions issues and players were told they couldn't be paid at the existing level and were given the opportunity to carry on or leave. Some stayed, some left. That was the season before last, I'm struggling to believe that there's still legal stuff going on over that.

Derek Hall left very early on to go to the far east for a lucrative new contract, Lions released him to allow this, he hadn't be with us 2 months, I'm doubting there was ever any issue there.

And if anyone really thinks that the £25,000(which reputedly isn't all given to Lions anyway) would be enough to swing the deal with Ovie they're in cloud cuckoo land! There will be more money and more sponsors needed than £25,000!!

As for Justin, he's publicly said that he's more secure in London than he's been previously in Europe. And given Royals current plight with certain players who he knows very well- I find it difficult to believe he would have jumped, even though he had spoken to them.

They signed Sam Toluwase for the season too I saw this morning.

Last season he was yeah.

It's rumoured about half of each team’s All-Stars winnings goes to the BBL, and the team themselves retain the other half.

Regarding Ovie Soko, I agree. But let’s be honest, no BBL team is going to offer him what would be considered his going rate. And he must know that. Ovie’s interest in playing in the BBL won’t be a finical one, but rather an interest in wanting to stay in professional basketball whilst also benefiting from his new found reality star fame (and all the offers and substantial money that come along with it). So the actual money being offered probably won’t be that important to him, what’ll be more important is being able to play professional basketball in a location convenient to his other commitments (London), and having the flexibility to play around his other commitments.

I'm delighted with the signing of Jules, exactly what we needed, gives a whole different depth to our backcourt, he and Justin together could prove as influential as Justin & Jordan did last season.

Sam's a solid bench player who gives plenty of fight and competitiveness off the bench.

If we're signing Ovie, which certainly seems likely now(although until I actually see him in a Lions vest I won't believe it), I can't believe we haven't announced yet so we can get as many sales as possible for Wednesday night.