#118 Paul Blake // Owning a BBL Franchise, Community focus, Building an arena & more

The Sideline Live Podcast

On episode 118 of The Sideline Live podcast, host Orla speaks to Paul Blake, owner of a BBL franchise called Newcastle Eagles. Paul has been in the basketball industry for more than 20 years and is passionate about growing the sport in the UK. He has a deep understanding of what it takes to run a successful franchise and shares valuable insights during the episode.

(Note this episode was recorded on March 17th 2023 live from Vertu Motor Arena Newcastle, UK)

Paul believes that running a successful BBL franchise requires hard work, dedication and passion. According to him, it's important to have a clear vision and strategy in place from the very beginning. "Running a BBL franchise is challenging, but it's also very rewarding. It's a constantly evolving business and you have to be adaptable to succeed." He emphasizes the need for franchise owners to constantly adapt to changing market trends and stay ahead of the competition. Paul also shares some of the challenges he has faced in running the Newcastle Eagles franchise, such as securing funding, attracting sponsors and building a strong fan base.

Newcastle Eagles is more than just a basketball franchise, it is deeply rooted in the community. "Community engagement is key to running a successful BBL franchise. We make sure that we're actively involved in our local community and that we're providing opportunities for people to get involved with basketball." The franchise has a strong focus on community engagement and social responsibility. Paul talks about the four values of the Newcastle Eagles community foundation - education, health and well-being, sport and community. He explains how the franchise is using basketball as a tool to empower and inspire young people in the community. The foundation offers a range of programs and initiatives to support education, health and well-being, and community development.

Paul also talks about the impact of COVID-19 on the BBL and the Newcastle Eagles franchise. He explains how the pandemic has affected the franchise financially and how they have had to adapt to the new normal. Despite the challenges, Paul remains optimistic about the future of the BBL and the Newcastle Eagles franchise. "It's important to have a long-term vision for your franchise. You can't just focus on short-term success, you have to think about building a sustainable and successful organization for years to come." He believes that basketball has the potential to grow exponentially in the UK and that there are many opportunities for franchise owners to tap into.

Overall, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the basketball industry or running a successful franchise. Paul's insights and experience provide valuable lessons for franchise owners and club executives looking to grow their teams or clubs and make a positive impact in the community

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Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

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