Basketball at war: Leicester-based league operator vows to fight on
Civil war has broken out in the basketball world with angry Super League Basketball (SLB) clubs threatening to split from the British Basketball Federation (BBF) after plans for a new league were announced.
Teams affiliated to Leicester-based SLB say they knew nothing about a plan by BBF to install the former Portland Timbers president and Euroleague CEO Marshall Glickman and his entourage as the preferred bidder to take over the running of the elite men’s game in the UK.
SLB formed last year after the collapse of the British Basketball League brought about by Everton Football Club bidders 777 partners and other investors pulled out of a deal to fund the competition.
A statement from SLB on behalf of the clubs said: “The SLB shareholders and directors have this morning been formally notified by the British Basketball Federation that it intends to award the long-term license for the men’s professional basketball league in Britain to an external operator from the start of the 2025/26 season.
“Whilst we understood that the BBF would impose a process to tender, we have not, at any time been consulted or included in its development even though we were listed as key stakeholders in the tender application process.
“The SLB shareholders, directors and all nine clubs remain steadfast in their commitment to SLB, our fans, partners and our employees in providing great experiences and opportunities for basketball at all levels, from grassroots provision to the elite men’s professional game.
“As such we will operate the SLB with its continuing success and planned strategic growth but will no longer be under the purview of the BBF.
“The SLB clubs are united in this decision and look forward to developing this incredible league for many years to come.”
Earlier in the day, the The British Basketball Federation (BBF) confirmed that the tender process to identify a long-term operator of the premier men’s professional basketball league in Great Britain had “entered a new phase”.
Chris Grant, Chair of the British Basketball Federation said:
“This is a pivotal moment as we work to fulfil British Basketball’s enormous potential. Basketball is the country’s second most-played team sport and the professional game has captured the attention and sparked the passion of Britons of all backgrounds. Marshall Glickman’s group bring huge basketball and business knowhow. They have embraced the vision of British Basketball as a force for good, which can already be seen in the substantial contributions made by the existing professional clubs in their communities. We’re excited at the prospect of growing the game and unleashing basketball’s power to deliver social and economic impact.”
He added: “Together with the increased support for our GB performance programmes recently announced by UK Sport and our collaboration with the Home Countries to identify, develop and support talented young players, the development of a strong and successful professional league will turbocharge the growth and success of British Basketball.”
Marshall Glickman, CEO of the preferred bidder group, said: “We are humbled by the British Basketball Federation’s decision to select our group as the preferred bidder to operate and invest in the growth of Great Britain’s top-tier men’s professional basketball league for the long-term. The clubs, players and fans are the future of British Basketball and we will work alongside the existing stakeholders to help shape the most competitive, entertaining and financially sustainable basketball league possible. We look forward to working with the BBF to cross the finish line.
