How much work do Baller League UK managers actually do?

It's the football league managed by celebrities, content creators and the occasional sporting heavyweight.

The star-studded cast of six-a-side gaffers includes YouTubers KSI and Angry Ginge, Lioness Chloe Kelly and even actor Idris Elba.

But are the big names just for publicity, or do they actually pull their weight behind-the-scenes?

BBC Newsbeat went down to London's Copper Box Arena, where all Baller League UK games are played, to ask managers Niko Omilana and Sharmarke "Sharky" Mohamud how much graft they're all putting in.

Baller League, which runs from 16 March to 25 May, holds matches every Monday, with a final on 7 June.

Games in the six-a-side football competition take place across two fast-paced 15-minute halves and include twists on traditional rules, such as a lack of corners.

If the ball goes behind the goal off a defender three times, the attacking team is awarded a penalty.

Baller League's chief executive Felix Starck previously told BBC Sport the format was more popular with 16 to 28-year-olds than the Premier League.

It's difficult to double-check this claim, but Baller League matches are broadcast simultaneously across Sky, Twitch and YouTube and don't require a subscription.

Newsbeat has asked YouTube and Sky Sports for the most recent viewing figures available but hasn't heard back.

YouTuber and Baller League manager Niko Omilana tells Newsbeat he believes the popularity of the league will only continue to grow.

"With Baller League, the sky is the limit," he says.

But he does admit the Premier League is "always going to be the Prem" and that Baller League offers "something new and different".

So what does he bring to the table?

"I do a lot towards recruiting the team, making sure the players are fine and on game day, the tactics," says Niko.

The 28-year-old, known for his pranks and efforts to stand in local elections, manages NDL FC, based off his brand the Niko Defence League.

He also appeared in the 2025 series of The Celebrity Traitors - but was the first faithful to be banished at the roundtable.

"[Baller League] is what I'm now focusing on," he says.

"Before I focused on politics, before that YouTube, now I'm a football manager."

There has been some controversy around Baller League recently, with some non-league clubs unhappy at some of their players getting involved in the competition.

Niko accepts that managing tensions with home clubs is important and that it is "all about the approach" between players and management.

But he adds that Baller League has brought out a "real community".

"People want to get involved in something and that is what I love, everything which I built, NDL, is about getting people involved," says Niko.

"Doing this on a weekly stage has been really cool."

Sharky, who is part of YouTube collective Beta Squad with Niko, has taken part in Baller League since it started.

He admits that not all managers are laser-focused on their teams.

"I think some managers are really committed and I think some have other priorities," he tells Newsbeat.

"But I think it's a good blend and you see in the end that the teams who get far are the ones that have the dedicated managers."

Sharky, who's in charge of SDS FC, definitely puts himself in the second camp.

His side won the first season of Baller League UK and went to the final in the second.

He says he's deeply involved with all aspects of the manager's job - "like a real owner" - and makes sure he has a "great team" playing for him.

At first, he says, SDS was getting "laughed at" for bringing in analysis coaches and having multiple training sessions.

"Now everyone's doing it," he says.

"But it's too late because they're playing catch up to us."

Sharky says he went all-in on committing to Baller League from the start because he believed in the project.

"People didn't understand how big it could be. I definitely did and I think now everyone can see it as well.

"Three seasons in, I think people now have accepted it and are comfortable with the idea.

"And everyone wants to get involved now."

Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.