"A new soccer league took UK social media by storm earlier this year, but rather than multimillion dollar signings and giant stadiums, the Baller League's players earn in the hundreds of dollars each game and the entire league is played in a 6,000-capacity former handball court in east London. So how did a six-a-side league of perceived lower-league soccer players become so big it ended up selling out London's O2 Arena? And how much more can it grow?"
"'Referring to them as 'lower league footballers' is already wrong,' says Baller League CEO Felix Starck. He says most of the players have an academy background and have top-notch technical skills but got cut based on their physical characteristics. Starck says if professional soccer teams came along to the Baller League, they'd probably lose as "It's a different sport." The league does have a few well-known former pros like ex-Premier League striker Troy Deeney, who certainly isn't lacking on the physical side,"
""You know what, it weren't even planned," said PK Humble who plays for Baller League UK Season 1 semifinalists Yanited, "I'm a vibes man and it reflects on the pitch so it's become something everyone expects every time I score so it's basically my signature.""
A six-a-side competition called the Baller League rapidly grew in popularity on UK social media despite players earning only hundreds per match and games being held in a 6,000-capacity former handball court in east London. Matches scaled to sell out larger venues including London's O2 Arena. Baller League CEO Felix Starck says many players come from academy backgrounds and possess high technical skill but were released for physical reasons, and he argues the format is a different sport from traditional professional football. The league features former professionals like Troy Deeney and has created new stars such as Percy 'PK Humble' Kiangebeni, whose goal celebration went viral and embodies the league's personality-driven appeal.
Read at Forbes
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]