Following on from yesterday’s post about the growing trend of athletes becoming sports team owners, it can now be revealed that Stephon Marbury has purchased the Beijing Lions, a cornerstone franchise of the fledgling China Arena Football League.
For those who only remember Marbury from his NBA career, this might seem to come out of left field, but the two-time All Star has been living in Beijing for the past six years, winning three CBA championships while playing for the Beijing Ducks. Despite turning 40 earlier this year, he’s showing no signs of slowing down: after failing to agree an extension to his contract with the Ducks, Marbury has jumped to crosstown rivals the Beijing Fly Dragons to play out what he says will be his final season in the league.
What’s more, he announced last month that he’d also like one more shot in the NBA, presumably after finishing the CBA season in early 2018. He told the AP he had already spoke to a team, but hasn’t disclosed which one.
I’m making a #nba come back for the fans who want to see me play my last year as a pro. After… https://t.co/qstKMRI3FL
— I AM PEACE STAR (@StarburyMarbury) September 12, 2017