National Basketball Association (NBA) star Draymond Green has revealed plans to become a fitness entrepreneur, after signing a franchise deal with New York, US-based chain Blink Fitness.

Green, named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2017, has agreed a development deal to launch at least 20 Blink health clubs to the states of Michigan and Illinois – marking the budget chain’s first foray to the midwest.

Green will be partnered in the venture by Tom Shumaker, founder of GS Fitness Holdings.

While no locations have been formally announced, Green and Shumaker have been “actively evaluating” the city of Detroit and its surrounding suburbs and parts of the Chicago region for sites.

Green said that he will look to bring the Blink gyms to areas in which there is a need for quality places to work out – including disadvantaged communities.

“I think about where I grew up and the people I grew up with,” Green said. “We didn't have anything like Blink. Everyone wants a cool place to get fit and workout. But lots of communities don't have any options.

“The places are either terrible or too expensive. We're going to change that. This is not an endorsement deal for me. I'm going to invest my money and my time to partner with Blink to bring an amazing gym experience to these communities. "

Launched by Todd Magazine in 2011, Blink has opened 70 company-owned locations serving over 370,000 members throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and California.

The company also has more than 40 additional gyms, both corporate and franchisee-owned, under contract in various US markets.

According to Magazine, Blink will have approximately 90 locations open and operating by the end of the year. He also expects Blink to surpass the 300-unit mark over the next five years.