NEW YORK — Former NBA All-Star Ben Simmons is taking his love of fishing to a new level becoming a part owner of a professional sport fishing team while he works on returning to basketball. Simmons, 29, announced this week that he bought a majority stake in the South Florida Sails Angling Club, a team in the Sport Fishing Championship league.
The Sport Fishing Championship is a competitive offshore fishing league with 16 teams that compete in tournaments for marlin and other big fish. Simmons calls the league exciting and growing, saying it’s like top racing or golf competitions — but on the water.
Simmons was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft and has played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. He has dealt with injuries and limited playing time recently and is currently not signed to an NBA team. While training and rehabbing, he says he wants to be ready if basketball opportunities come later.
The South Florida Sails team includes other owners with fishing and outdoor backgrounds. Simmons said he wants to help grow the sport and inspire new anglers.