Man United and Liverpool stars team up to invest in new Baller League featuring YouTube sensations KSI and IShowSpeed as Mason Mount says he 'can't wait' for UK expansion

Sports-focused investment company APEX, backed by Premier League stars like Mason Mount, Diogo Jota and Diogo Dalot, have confirmed their investment in the Baller League. It is a six-a-side competition that brings together the worlds of street football and social media influencers. After a successful venture in Germany that included Alisha Lehmann and generated three million spectators per matchday on Twitch, Baller League is now expanding to the UK and the US. The league will feature YouTube sensations KSI and IShowSpeed, who will be the presidents of the UK and US markets, respectively.

Speaking on the Baller League's expansion in the UK market, United midfielder Mount said: "Baller League brings football together with social media influencers who have huge followings. It’s a great way to make the game more accessible and reach even more fans. I’m excited to see Baller League come to the UK and can't wait to watch the first game."

Liverpool striker Jota said: "Baller League has a lot of crossover with the world of Esports and streaming, concepts I understand well. The twitch numbers achieved in Germany in their first season are a strong indicator of the success Baller can have in the UK and US markets."

Dalot, Jota's compatriot and Mount's club colleague, added on the venture: "As a professional football player, I'm always looking for new ways to connect with the game I love. Baller League offers a fresh perspective, combining football with exciting entertainment. It’s a great opportunity to explore a new side of the sport and contribute to the popularity of football in general."

After securing APEX's investment, Baller League CEO Felix Starck said: "Closing a funding round with such strategic capital is always a proud moment for a founder. APEX understands the concept and culture in Baller’s DNA, bringing valuable experience from investing in other emerging properties. Additionally, their ability to involve professional athletes as investors adds a unique layer of support."

The Baller League is expected to launch in the UK market by the end of the first quarter of 2025. Andre Silva, Ferdi Kadioglu, Joris van Overeem, ⁠Jose Fonte, Maarten Paes, ⁠Max Wober and ⁠Vincent Jansse are among the other players to have joined the ambitious project.