The Gulf Coast Lions are a professional basketball team based in Sarasota, Florida. They are members of The Basketball League (TBL), a minor league basketball league that was founded in 2019. The Lions play their home games at the Bob Martinez Sports Complex.
The Lions were founded in 2020 and played their inaugural season in 2021. They finished the regular season with a record of 17-13, good enough for third place in the Eastern Conference. The Lions then upset the second-seeded Georgia Soul in the first round of the playoffs, before falling to the eventual champion Carolina Giants in the semifinals.
The Lions have a rivalry with the Fayetteville Stingers, who are also members of the Eastern Conference. The two teams have met in the playoffs each of the past two seasons, with the Lions winning the series in 2021 and the Soul winning in 2022.
The Lions are a young team with a lot of potential. They have a strong coach and a talented roster. The Lions are hoping to make a run at the TBL championship in 2023.