London Lions (basketball)

London Lions
London Lions logo
LeagueSLB
Established1977; 47 years ago (1977)
HistoryHemel Hempstead Lakers
1977–1985
Hemel Royals
1985–1996
Hemel & Watford Royals
1996–1997
Watford Royals
1997–1998
Milton Keynes Lions
1998–2012
London Lions
2012–present
ArenaCopper Box Arena
Capacity6,000
LocationHackney Wick, Greater London
Team coloursBlack, white, red, grey
       
General managerBrett Burman
Head coachPetar Božić
Team captainOvie Soko
OwnershipTesonet[1]
ChampionshipsMen:
3 BBL Championship
2 BBL Playoffs
3 BBL Cup
1 BBL Trophy
Women:
3 WBBL Championship
4 WBBL Playoffs
2 WBBL Cup
4 WBBL Trophy
WebsiteOfficial Website

London Lions are a British professional basketball team based in Stratford, East London, England, and compete in the Super League Basketball (SLB).

The team was originally founded in 1977 as the Hemel Hempstead Lakers. Following an ownership take over by Vince Macaulay in 1993, the club subsequently relocated to Watford, and then Milton Keynes, where they were known as Milton Keynes Lions. It was in Milton Keynes that the team won its first silverware in 2008, the BBL Cup. The Lions relocated to London in 2012 and play its home games at the Copper Box Arena in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, as well as occasional EuroCup matches at Wembley Arena.

The Lions were purchased by 777 Partners in 2020, ending Macaulay's 27-year tenure of ownership. After the threat of bankruptcy following the end of the 2023-24 season, the club was rescued for the 2024-25 season under the ownership of Tesonet, minority shareholders of BC Žalgiris.

  1. ^ "Lions infused with Miami money". MVP247.com. 29 April 2020.