DREXEL HILL, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Delaware County is full of passionate sports fans you'll often find cheering on the Eagles and other Philadelphia teams. Now, they have a professional team to call their own.
The Delco Desperados joined the American Basketball Association at the end of 2019. But they were forced to push back the start of their season multiple times thanks to coronavirus.
"A roller coaster of emotions," general manager Chrisheena Boyd told KYW Newsradio when asked what it's like to launch a franchise during a pandemic. "You're starting off with excitement and you're building and you're getting this momentum to find out in March, okay, we have the pandemic. Well, what does that mean? One of the things we learned is flexibility is definitely key."
"If you can operate under extreme pressure and having to have flexibility and maneuverability to always adapt to the current situation, operating under normal situations are going to be a breeze," added team owner Kinji Ridley.
The wait is finally over.
"Knock on wood, everybody put their hands together and pray, salt over your shoulder and everything else," Ridley joked, "our first game will be January 9."
Saturday's season opener will be played at Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School, which is where the Desperados will play all home games.
There won't be any fans in attendance for the home opener, and that could be the case all season, although both Ridley and Boyd are hopeful that changes.
Some Desperados players and staff have local ties, like Ridley who grew up in Philadelphia. Boyd is Delco-born and raised.
"So it's just a sense of pride and excitement for what is to come," she said.
"I'm determined to bring a parade on MacDade Boulevard which cuts through the heart of Delaware County," added Ridley. "So I thought how cool would it be to represent Delco and have a parade run down MacDade Boulevard?"
There are 180 ABA teams, making it the largest sports league in the world. This is Delco's first team, but there are other ABA organizations throughout the Delaware Valley, including one in Philadelphia.
There were supposed to be two Delaware County expansion teams this season, but the second team decided to hold off until next season at the earliest.
Subscribers can watch Desperados games online this season. You can sign up for that and learn more about the team here.
