Super League Basketball clubs to split from British Basketball Federation
Super League Basketball (SLB) clubs are set to break away from the British Basketball Federation (BBF) after licensing rights for the division were awarded to an external operator.
Last week, the BBF confirmed the group led by EuroLeague CEO, Marshall Glickman, had been identified as the preferred bidder.
According to SLB, this move came without any consultation from the national body, despite being listed as key stakeholders in the tender application process.
The elite league, which was formed last year following the collapse of the British Basketball League (BBL) amid financial struggles, is currently in its inaugural season, after launching in September.
SLB was informed on 29th January that the BBF intended to award the long-term license for the league to an external operator from the 2025/26 season.
On 1st February, SLB Chair Vaughn Milette said in a statement, “It was understood then that a collaborative approach would be undertaken to secure a longer-term licence on behalf of the SLB. This has not happened, and we have not at any time been consulted or included in its development, despite the fact we were listed as key stakeholders in the tender application process.
“Following the BBF’s decision to run an open invitation to tender for the long-term licence to run the men’s professional league in GB, the SLB’s shareholders and directors unanimously took the difficult decision to withdraw from the process after concerns were raised over the legality of the BBF’s actions.
“Despite communicating these concerns to the BBF over a period of months, the SLB never received any substantive responses and the tender document did not allow for any changes to fees and conditions.
“This approach would have rendered the league un-investable.
“We will continue to engage with all necessary stakeholders in order to safeguard the future of basketball in Great Britain.”
In response, a statement from the BBF said, ‘Mr Millette’s claim that the approach we set out is “un-investable” is disproved by the fact that the group led by Marshall Glickman, Arjun Metre and Chris Dillavou has presented what the BBF Board and its expert advisors consider to be a robust, exciting and properly-funded business plan which can elevate British basketball to the benefit of all stakeholders, including the existing clubs.
‘On that basis, we have awarded that group the status of preferred bidder.
‘Throughout these difficult months the British Basketball Federation have sought to act in the best interests of the game as it is always our role to do.
‘We still hope that the professional clubs – which are such an important part of the British basketball community – will engage with a bid which we believe can bring them significant benefits and underpin their sustainability and success.’
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