Ben Simmons Acquires Stake in Sport Fishing Team

Ben Simmons, the former NBA All-Star and top pick of the 2016 draft, has acquired a controlling ownership stake in the South Florida Sails Angling Club, a team in the professional Sport Fishing Championship league. The 29-year-old Australian announced the investment this week, marking a new venture into competitive offshore angling as he continues rehabilitation efforts to return to professional basketball.

The Sport Fishing Championship, founded in 2021, features 16 teams representing regions from Southern Texas to New England, with plans for international expansion. The league hosts tournaments focused on catching big game fish such as marlin and sailfish, positioning saltwater fishing as an elite competition akin to professional golf or racing. Simmons, who joins a roster of celebrity owners including PGA Tour leader Scottie Scheffler, NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss, and NASCAR driver Austin Dillon, described the sport as a lifelong passion. "I have always believed that investing in what you love means you have a responsibility to help move it forward," Simmons said in a statement. "Sportfishing has given me incredible experiences, and SFC is creating a platform that treats...