GBB League refusing to go quietly as British Basketball Federation goes bust
The British Basketball Federation has announced it has ceased trading but the controversial start-up league that sparked a furious civil war within the game is refusing to go quietly.
The GBB League has indicated it is willing to fight to preserve the divisive agreement that has sunk the governing body and left the sport in financial disarray in this country.
On Friday evening, a statement from the British Basketball Federation Ltd, confirmed a story from The Yorkshire Post seven days earlier that it was in financial peril.
The statement read: “(BBF Ltd) today announces that it has ceased to trade due to a significant and unanticipated reduction in income and unforeseen expenditure resulting in the company’s inability to meet its liabilities as they fall due. With the support of professional advisors (Begbies Traynor), BBF Ltd is taking the necessary steps to place the company into liquidation.
“The immediate priority for all domestic basketball stakeholders is to work closely with the sport's international governing body, FIBA, to ensure the ongoing stability and security of the Great Britain national teams, including delivering on our participation commitment to upcoming FIBA competitions.
“The BBF appreciates the ongoing commitment of the UK Government, UK Sport and FIBA to rebuilding a strong and sustainable governing structure for the sport in Great Britain. The British Basketball Federation, as the recognised FIBA member for Great Britain, will continue to work towards compliance with international commitments, together with the Home Nations, who remain as integral stakeholders within the British basketball structure.
“The British Basketball Federation would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to all staff and players, both past and present, for their dedication, professionalism, and tireless service to the federation and the Great Britain national team programmes.”
The financial collapse of the governing body has been brought about in part by the legal costs fighting against its professional national competition, Super League Basketball.
The BBF’s decision to award the exclusive licence to operate the men’s league from 2026 to a group of American investors, the GBB League, sparked huge controversy in the game and prompted the SLB - of which Sheffield Sharks are a shareholding member - to take legal action.
The resignation of chair Chris Grant from the BBF stripped the GBB League of a major ally, but it responded by saying its agreement was “with the BBF”.
Now, in the wake of the BBF’s announcement, the GBB League has issued a statement to The Yorkshire Post which reads: “Following the news that the British Basketball Federation has entered into administration, GBBL is working with its legal counsel to evaluate its options pertaining to the status of its 15-year licence to run a British professional basketball league from 2027.
"In accordance with the terms of the licence, significant sums of money have been paid to the BBF and this is of grave concern to GBBL."
UK Sport, which awarded £2.925m to the BBF for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle, will now divert those funds through Basketball England.
The women’s national team fixture in Austria on Saturday will go ahead, and UK Sport is working with stakeholders to try and get the men’s team’s potentially money-spinning game World Cup qualifier with Lithuania at the Copper Box on November 27, on.
A UK Sport spokesperson added: “UK Sport acknowledges the BBF Board’s decision to enter liquidation and recognises that this creates uncertainty for the sport in the UK.
“Our investment into the sport has been focused on the 3x3 programme and is unconnected to recent issues surrounding the licensing of the domestic club competition.
“We have taken robust steps throughout this period of uncertainty to safeguard public funds and to help enable GB teams to continue to compete.
“We will now work closely with DCMS and the basketball community to establish a way forward for the sport.”
Super League Basketball’s interim chair Sanjay Bhandari MBE said in a statement: “Super League Basketball is saddened to see that the British Basketball Federation is taking steps to place the company (BBF Ltd.) into liquidation. Our immediate thoughts are with the staff affected during what is undoubtedly a difficult and uncertain time.
“In the meantime, we shall continue to support the sport from grassroots to the elite level — including supporting the GB team in the forthcoming international fixtures.
“SLB will also continue to work constructively with FIBA, the Home Country Associations, UK Government and other stakeholders to support the review of governance of the sport that is so evidently necessary.”