Former NBA player Shawn Marion is in on the deal at the Breakers.

Paul Blackwell promised his wife he wouldn't shed any tears, and was as good as his word as he handed the majority ownership of the Breakers over to a heavyweight American consortium that brings with it not just strong ties to the NBA, but English football's Premier League.

Blackwell, who retains a minority holding and spot on the board at the Auckland-based Australian National Basketball League club, is a devout man, so when he described the ownership change as "an answer to our prayers" you knew it was a significant development.

The Blackwells (Paul and wife Liz), sole owners for 13 years, have been shopping the Breakers for some time now, and stepped up their hunt for new majority owners late last year. That search reached its denouement at a press conference in Auckland on Monday when a consortium, headed by journeyman professional Matt Walsh, along with business partners Adam Goodman, Romie Chaudhari, Dan Katz and former NBA legend Shawn Marion, were unveiled as the new majority shareholders.

GETTY IMAGES The success of the Breakers on and off the basketball court made them a target for international business interest.

"This really is a happy day," beamed Blackwell. "We've been thinking for years about what the future would look like, and this is exactly what our dreams were. We wanted someone to add value, and to take us forward ... we're not going away, we're still having the fun, I just don't have to do the work."

READ MORE:

* Breakers sound warning to fans

* Penney announces retirement

The new ownership group seems set to add plenty of value. Walsh, a 10-year professional in the European Leagues who played briefly in the NBA for the Miami Heat, heads the group and will take a hands-on role, shifting to Auckland to work alongside General Manager Dillon Boucher in the day-to-day operation of the club.

BILL KOSTROUN Matt Walsh in his NBA playing days in 2006.

Chaudhari, a part owner and director of Swansea City, provides direct links with one of the success stories of England football's mighty Premier League. Walsh is also a minority investor in the Welsh outfit.

Goodman adds strong business acumen and Katz is a highly successful podcast host in the US. All, says Walsh, bring a passion for basketball and sports ownership and a strong desire to take the Breakers to the next level as one of the powerhouses of the Australian NBL.

"[Breakers US-based scout] Jonathan Givony, who is a close friend, told us about it, and told us about the Blackwells, and the more we looked into it, the more attractive it became," said Walsh.

"We weren't necessarily looking for a basketball team, my partners and I are involved in sports ownership in general, and most of it has been on the soccer side. But this was just an opportunity we couldn't pass up."

Marion's involvement came as a special bonus, with the 16-year NBA player (Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers), four-time All-Star and champion in 2011 with the Mavs coming on board purely by chance.

Walsh had played with Marion at the Heat in the 2009 pre-season, and had stayed in touch. "When I spoke with some of the partners his name came up. Shawn is a legend in the NBA and off the court he is very well respected. We thought he'd be the perfect guy to bring in. I met him in New York, told him about it and he said 'yeah, I'm in'."

Walsh was not keen to speak in any detail on the new owners' plans for the club, saying the time was not right for that just yet, but did confirm they saw the Breakers on very firm footing as a basketball entity, and would be looking to make their biggest impact initially in the more commercial areas.

"We're going to bring some resources in terms of our NBA connections that will help the Breakers and build the Breakers brand, and I also think we have some global sponsorships and commercial relationships and know-how that will help on that side as well," said Walsh.

"There are so many good things going at the Breakers, there's not a lot that has to change. One of the things Paul and I spoke of from day one is this is about adding value. We think we can do that on the commercial side."

Added Blackwell: "This is a long game. We're not going anywhere. Liz and I spent the last 13 or 14 years working on the culture of this team. This is our baby, we want to see it grow, and in these guys' hands it is going to grow."

The new ownership structure kicks in on March 1. Right as the club begins its tilt at a fifth title in the last eight seasons.