"Deeply concerned": Sports Minister vows to fix British basketball after FIBA's sanctions
Sports minister Stephanie Peacock has expressed her “deep concern” at British basketball’s suspension from international competition by FIBA and has vowed to “fix the domestic game”.
The civil war that has dominated the domestic landscape was plunged into crisis this week when FIBA announced sweeping sanctions against the British Basketball Federation.
As a result of the public dispute between the BBF and Super League Basketball over the governing body’s controversial award of the licence to run the professional men’s league to a group of external US investors, FIBA announced on Tuesday it had banned the men’s senior team from international competition and suspended the BBF’s authority to licence or recognise national men’s competitions.
It caveated both sanctions with "pending resolution of the current governance issues”.
And the Government - who last December awarded millions in funding through UK Sport and then just last month announced a landmark collaboration with the NBA to grow basketball in England including a £10m joint investment in the recreational game - is now stepping in.
In a statement issued to The Yorkshire Post, Minister for Sport Peacock said: “I am deeply concerned by the news that the British Basketball Federation has been suspended by FIBA and its implications for GB teams and domestic basketball.
“While it is a relief that the GB Women’s team is not included in this suspension, work must clearly be done to fix the domestic game and ensure our teams can continue to compete on the world stage.
"We will work closely with FIBA and other partners on the interim operational framework, using this as a moment to move forward as we start the process of addressing governance concerns and protecting the future of British basketball.”
The sport has been gripped by a civil war since January when the BBF awarded the licence to run the professional men’s tier to a group of external investors led by Marshall Glickman, called the GBB League. The existing competition, Super League Basketball - of which Sheffield Sharks are one of nine shareholding members - deemed the process illegal and have sued.
All three parties have been at loggerheads in a very public dispute ever since, ranging from the governing body trying to block player imports to stopping referees taking charge of SLB games.
In late September, a three-man taskforce set up to investigate by global governing body FIBA flew into London and summoned all the relevant parties to meetings.
On Sunday, Chris Grant OBE - the man who championed the GBB League investment into the game - resigned as chair of the BBF, citing personal reasons, but only after a post on LinkedIn three days earlier that suggested his attempts at reform had been thwarted.
The GBB League have been contacted for comment and have elected not to issue a statement or pass comment at this stage.
On Monday, in response to questions about Mr Grant’s resignation which removed a key ally for them in the British game, a spokesperson said: “GBBL’s long-term license is with the British Basketball Federation.”
Forty-eight hours later and the BBF has had its authority to licence or recognize national men's competitions suspended, which begs the question: what does this mean for the contract between the BBF and the GBB League to launch a league in 2027? Is that now null and void?
Super League Basketball games are scheduled to go ahead as normal this weekend.
Sources inside the SLB have long indicated that the established British clubs have seen this dispute as evidence that the sport’s governance needs a complete overhaul in which all stakeholders are contributing to the development of the game.
The SLB wants to be a part of FIBA and to be officially sanctioned.
FIBA’s statement on Tuesday evening read:
“1) To temporarily suspend the British Basketball Federation's authority to licence or recognize national men's competitions and to field a men's national team in FIBA Senior Competitions, pending resolution of the current governance issues.
“2) To authorise the Taskforce to engage directly with basketball stakeholders and the UK government to explore and propose an interim operational framework for the top-tier men's national competitions.
“These measures aim to restore regulatory integrity and promote sustainable governance of men's basketball in Great Britain as soon as possible.”
Great Britain’s men’s team were due to host Lithuania in a World Cup qualifier on November 27 but that game has now been suspended.
The BBF said in a statement: “British Basketball Federation (BBF) confirm the suspension of the GB National Men's team from international competition alongside the temporary suspension of authority to recognise or license pro leagues.
“Following the creation of a FIBA Taskforce to monitor the on-going situation with the British professional men's league, FIBA announced interim measures to restore regulatory integrity and promote sustainable governance of men's basketball in Great Britain. Members of the BBF board and key staff met with FIBA today and the Federation share FIBA’s commitment to restoring confidence, transparency, and sustainability within the sport.
“At this time the Great Britain Men's home game, due to take place in London on the 27th November, will not go ahead and the team will not participate in this window's away fixtures. The BBF can confirm that the suspension does not affect the women's national team and upcoming fixtures.”
Speaking on the suspension, Interim Chair, Grace Jacca said: "We understand the disappointment that players, staff and fans alike will be feeling. Our immediate priority is to continue working with our key stakeholders to maintain stability while contributing constructively to the process with FIBA.”