Fayetteville Liberty team owner Robert Edwards Jr. had a bold vision: to bring professional basketball to Fayetteville. And not just another sports franchise, but a team that would make a lasting impact on the community and unite the hometown crowd.
That vision became reality on March 6 when 2,136 enthusiastic fans packed the Crown Arena for the Liberty’s inaugural game in The Basketball League (TBL). Edwards’ work to launch the team paid off, and the Liberty claimed a thrilling 93-86 victory over the Raleigh Firebirds, the 2025 South Atlantic Division champions.
The win marked a historic debut for Fayetteville’s newest professional basketball team, which currently sits at 2-2 in third place in TBL’s 5-team South Atlantic Division. Edwards—a retired Army veteran with deep ties to the area—founded the team in December 2024.
The Liberty’s inaugural game on March 6 signaled the start of a movement aimed at community engagement and pride. The air was electric and the pride palpable. The music was loud, and the fans were louder.
Fans showed up and showed out, cheering for their new basketball team. Most of the crowd stayed until the end to savor the win with the team. We won—the team won, the city won. It felt historic and it was.
Edwards acknowledged building a fan base and winning over the Fayetteville crowd is no easy task.
”I really believe we put our heart into the city and I believe the city connected with that and gave their heart back,” Edwards said. “And more than a win, more than a packed crowd, I kept hearing, ‘the energy and the atmosphere and the unity is what was felt most.’”
Long before the first game, Edwards and his staff and basketball team were active in the community, making connections through camps and scholarship awards.
The efforts of community partners and collaborators helped the Fayetteville Liberty earn the Greater Fayetteville Chamber’s New Business of the Year award during their annual gala on February 26.
“This distinction represents far more than a title—it reflects the collective support, collaboration, and confidence that the Fayetteville business community has extended to us since our arrival,” Edwards said in a team statement about the award.
It’s critical, Edwards told CityView, to build strong relationships with the city and county, as well as foster collaborations in the community.
“The art of doing good business is good relationships,” he said.
The Liberty took the place of the Fayetteville Stingers, which played a single TBL season in 2023. Edwards, the team’s livestream coordinator and director in charge of the big screen at the time, was there for the final game. That work helped feed his dream of owning a basketball team.
The Liberty’s 20-game season runs until May 23.
‘Now It’s Time to Compete’
After the game, several excited first-time attendees and families talked about soaking in the new professional basketball experience at the Crown Arena.
James Galbrth, 27, attended with 11-year-old Titon, who was attending his first basketball game.
“I’ve only seen basketball games on TV,” Titon said. “I think it was pretty good.”
Titon especially loved the popcorn and can’t wait to return for another game.
Nick Bereeme, 35, brought his 6-year-old son, Carson, who was grinning ear to ear and was clearly thrilled by the night. Carson enjoyed popcorn, Dippin’ Dots ice cream, and soda. Both father and son agreed that they’ll definitely be back for more Liberty games.
These family moments highlight the community impact of the Liberty’s debut—a fun, accessible night out that drew fans of all ages. It’s what Edwards envisioned all along.
“We were able to successfully entertain our crowd and come out with a win. I’ve always said, before we entertain, before we compete, our goal is to connect. We connected for a year and a half and put seed in the ground. Now it’s time to compete. We really gave something for our city and county to get behind,” Edwards said. “We’re grateful for that.”
A Guide to Game Day
Here’s what you can expect when you go see the Fayetteville Liberty.
The Team
The Liberty plays in the 4,500-seat Crown Arena, which is located on U.S. 301 South at Owen Drive and East Mountain Drive. Basketball has breathed new life into the arena. It’s not old, it’s vintage with an “Elvis played here pedigree.” It’s the perfect size for the team and the arena’s size puts fans into seats that have an inclusive feel. The space brings professional basketball up close and personal. TBL is a professional minor league below the NBA and its G League.
Parking at Crown Arena
Parking for the Crown Arena is a snap. It’s abundant, free, and easy to access with several ways to arrive.
Bag Policy
The arena has a clear bag policy that dictates bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches. Other options include a 1-gallon clear plastic freezer bag, or a small clutch no larger than 4.5 x 6.5 inches. Patrons with diaper bags must be accompanied by an infant or toddler.
Concessions
The vintage concession stand I remember as a child when Conway Twitty played in 1976 is open again for business. There are plenty of options for foodies or families, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pulled chicken or pork sliders, buttered popcorn, candy, soda, and beer. There’s a Doritos Walking Taco stand as well as one offering cocktail libations with some of your favorite spirits.
Merchandise
The Liberty offers a modest but nice merch table, which includes shirts, lanyards, posters, and jerseys. The shirts are $35 each or two for $60. A jersey will run you $65. There’s even a professional photo backdrop to get the perfect pic for social media.