British Basketball Federation on brink of administration after SLB wins FIBA approval

Multiple sources have indicated that the beleaguered governing body is close to going into administration after FIBA, world basketball's governors, ruled in favour of SLB by granting the league recognition.

The BBF had not responded to questions about potential administration by the time of publication.

The FIBA decision directly contravenes what the BBF had been refusing to do ever since it awarded an exclusive licence to run the professional men’s league to a group of external American investors, the GBB League.

This recognition is a validation of what the SLB have stood firm against for months, having maintained that the process conducted by the BBF to award the licence was illegal.

FIBA did offer an olive branch to the beleaguered national governing body by lifting the temporary suspension of the men’s national team from international competition. That means GB men’s opening World Cup qualifier with Lithuania can go ahead on November 27, with a venue to be determined.

This latest twist is a dramatic blow for the governing body that last month saw its chair, Chris Grant OBE, resign for personal reasons.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is understood to be working with UK Sport. UK Sport have put less than £1m into the game as part of it’s £2.925m commitment for the LA28 cycle, announced last December.

Last month the Government announced a landmark collaboration with the NBA to grow basketball in England, including a £10m joint investment in the recreational game.

Both bodies have been contacted for comment.

The GBB League has declined to comment.

This latest development could be a potentially damaging blow for the controversial league that won the contract in the Spring, having already lost their chief ally in Grant. The GBB League said in a statement before FIBA initially revealed its sanctions that its “long-term license is with the British Basketball Federation”, but that body is now in peril.

On Friday, Super League Basketball issued this statement in response to FIBA’s announcement.

“Professional basketball across the UK is celebrating a major boost after the sport’s global governing body paved the way for further growth and success.

“FIBA has officially licensed and recognised Super League Basketball (SLB) as it seeks to provide a framework for the organisation and governance of domestic competitions in Britain.

“A significant breakthrough allows the SLB to press forward with exciting plans for the future as its clubs seek to nurture talent, develop venues and broaden their reach at home and abroad.”

Sanjay Bhandari MBE, interim independent chair of Super League Basketball, said: “We have been working quietly and diligently to secure a sustainable and positive pathway for top-flight basketball in the UK.

"Together (with FIBA) we have reached a solution that gives our clubs the confidence they deserve and provides our fans with peace of mind after a challenging period for the sport.

“FIBA’s recognition is transformative and means that our plans to drive SLB forward as an ambitious, high-growth sports organisation can progress at pace.

“We look ahead with excitement as we work closely with FIBA, UK Sport, and the UK Government to ensure the sport achieves the success it deserves across all areas.”

GB player Quinn Ellis, from Sheffield, told The Yorkshire Post last month he hoped the game with Lithuania would go ahead and that could still happen in London given the big Lithuanian population there and how well that fanbase travels, but it could be played in Newcastle, home of the Eagles, which has come to the rescue of the BBF before and hosted GB games at short notice.

FIBA’s statement read: “Following the work of the Task Force for British Basketball Club Matters, FIBA has today lifted the temporary suspension imposed on the British Basketball Federation (BBF) on October 14 which had prevented BBF from fielding a men’s national team in FIBA senior competitions. As a result, Great Britain is now eligible to participate in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers.

“BBF’s authority to license and recognize domestic men’s club competitions in Great Britain remains suspended.

"To that extent, and in order to ensure the stability and continuity of the top-tier men’s basketball competition in Great Britain during this period, FIBA has entered into a direct recognition agreement with Super League Basketball (SLB).”