The Santa Barbara Breakers are a professional minor league basketball franchise, an LLC established in the fall of 2006. Curt Pickering, a resident of the community for the past 20 years, conducted a news conference at the Fess Parker Doubletree Resort on October 11, 2006 to announce their membership into the International Basketball League.
The first basketball season in Santa Barbara commenced with the home opener on April 13, 2007 against the Seattle Mountaineers. The Breakers were victorious registering a 135-105 win. During the course of the season, the Breakers generated an 11 game winning streak resulting in a 17-6 record. They advanced to the conference Championship in Portland, Oregon.
In Year Two, the Breakers accomplished the unbelievable feat of an 18-0 season, capturing the West Coast Pro Basketball League crown. This led to two invitational tours to play in China, courtesy of their Government Sports Federation.
The Breakers have been graced on the sidelines (courtside seats) with attendee celebrities Rob Lowe, Christopher Lloyd, Alan Thicke, Jeff Barry, Kathy Ireland, Jason Gedrick, Stuart Whitman, Kenny Loggins, Dick Wolf, and Dennis Miller.
The Breakers finished second in league attendance during the 2007 season and first in 2008. Games sold out at SBCC Sports Pavilion (capacity 2004) during the month of June in 2007 and a televised game on Cox Cable increased many local sponsorships. All home games have been broadcast on KZSB 1290 AM and NewsPress Web TV, generating a global fan base as far away as Japan.
Talent-wise, the Breakers have brought ultimate star power to the arena with the likes of Toby Bailey, former UCLA grad and 2 year member of the Phoenix Suns; Samaki Walker, a starter for the Los Angeles Lakers 2001 NBA Championship team; Fred Vinson, 2 year NBA veteran; Lamond Murray, 10 year NBA fixture; Kareem Abdul Jabbar Jr, son of the NBA great; 7 foot 5 inch Keith Closs, former Los Angeles Clipper and former UCSB Gaucho and international journeyman Josh Merrill.
From Day One of their inception, the Breakers have been committed to connecting with the youth of Santa Barbara. Over 100 children attended the press conference in October 2006 and this grassroots partnership has continued to grow in numbers at each team event. The Breaker players are significant in holding free clinics at local schools and sports clubs throughout the season. Along with local ABC affiliate Keyt Channel 3, the Breakers organization is a provider of donated tickets to the many non-profit and economically challenged youth groups in the community.
For the upcoming 2009 season, the Breakers are focusing on local organizations who represent the “backbone” of the working force and leadership of the Santa Barbara area. Their City of Champions campaign will honor the “Heroes” of the community at each of the 10 home games. Local Police, Firemen, Sheriff’s, Senior Citizens, Clergymen, Teachers, Medical Teams, Youth Leaders and all Military Personnel are some of the groups that will be recognized.
The Santa Barbara Breakers welcome local business and individual proprietors to partner up in supporting professional basketball in our GREAT CITY for the 2009 basketball season and many more to come.
EXPERIENCE THE EXCITEMENT OF BREAKERS BASKETBALL AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD!