Former Breaks Owner "Overjoyed" at Team Transformation

Just because he no longer owns the side, that doesn’t mean Paul Blackwell isn’t relishing the New Zealand Breakers’ rise back to the top of the NBL.

Blackwell and his wife, Liz, bought the embattled club in 2005, after it had finished 10th and 11th in its first two seasons in the competition.

Under the Blackwells’ leadership. the club became a powerhouse of the league and won four championships across five seasons in 2011-2015.

Blackwell sold his stake in the club to current majority owner Matt Walsh in 2018, but remains an avid fan of the team.

“After what they’ve been through the last two years – they’ve come through some real adversity – I’m thrilled,” Blackwell said.

“The brand continues and the Breakers, who we’ve sweated blood for, continues. The guys who have taken it to this level – I’m just thrilled fore them and overjoyed for the team that’s worked so hard.

“When you’re there as an owner it’s a whole different set of emotions. You don’t enjoy it as much. I really loved this.”