Gary Lineker and KSI are among the famous names who have joined a new six-a-side football competition organised by a German entrepreneur.
The Baller League, which is due to begin in the UK in March, originated in Cologne in 2023 and has been a hit on social media.
Lineker, 63, who will be stepping down as Match Of The Day host at the end of this season, has been lined up as a team manager.
KSI, the 31-year-old YouTube star, boxer and rapper – real name Olajide JJ Olatunji – has been named as president of the UK version of the tournament.
Other names confirmed to be tied to the project include former Chelsea captain John Terry, football pundit Alan Shearer and ex-Barcelona and Real Madrid winger Luis Figo.
A new era of football has arrived.
Baller League UK and Baller League USA - coming 2025. pic.twitter.com/FZK7i5f8Tp— BallerLeague (@BallerLeagueUK) November 25, 2024
“Sport is no longer as easy as just saying ‘look, we’re here now, come and watch us’,” said founder Felix Starck.
“That’s just not how sport works any more. It needs to be exciting, and it needs to be authentic. Those are the two words that we always use at Baller League.”
The German model initially operated out of an aircraft hangar and was broadcast on the streaming platform Twitch, with similar plans in place to stream UK matches online when they begin next year.
Jens Lehmann and Freddie Ljungberg, members of Arsenal’s “Invincibles” squad in 2003-04, are also set to be involved.
The ex-professionals already attached will lead different teams as managers and coaches, with the playing rosters to be made up of players from a pool of recently retired professionals, futsal players, free agents and released academy players.
It is the latest in a series of stunts placing internet personalities in a professional sporting environment, such as YouTuber Jake Paul’s win against 58-year-old former boxer Mike Tyson earlier this month.
Matches in the Baller League will last 15 minutes per half and be contested by squads of 12, with each player earning £400 a game.
