British Basketball Faces Turmoil Over League Operations

The landscape of British basketball is in flux as Super League Basketball (SLB) threatens to detach from the British Basketball Federation (BBF). This comes on the back of claims that SLB has been excluded from crucial dialogues regarding the future of men's professional basketball in Britain.

Federal authorities at the BBF announced on January 31, 2025, that they have granted preferred bidder status to a consortium led by Marshall Glickman, the current president of the Portland Trail Blazers. This move signals the start of a new phase in their search for a long-term league operator, with Glickman, alongside his partners Chris Dillavou and Arjun Metre, entering an exclusive negotiation period.

In response, SLB, which emerged in summer 2024 to replace the defunct British Basketball League, criticized the BBF for not engaging with them throughout these discussions. Vaughn Millette, chair of SLB, explained to BBC Sport that the league's clubs had previously engaged sincerely with the BBF and expected a cooperative approach for securing a sustained operational license.

Millette stated, "We understood then that a collaborative approach would be undertaken to secure a longer-term license on behalf of the SLB. However, we now find ourselves forced to consider operating outside the BBF’s control."

The SLB leadership cited concerns about the legality of the BBF's tender process, arguing that the lack of engagement and transparency had made their participation untenable. The BBF has countered these claims, asserting that SLB was encouraged to present revisions to the key terms of the proposed license.

As the BBF's board, comprising independent experts, endorsed Glickman's proposal, BBF chair Chris Grant remarked, "This is a pivotal moment as we work to fulfill British Basketball's enormous potential." He emphasized the substantial contributions of existing professional clubs and praised Glickman's expertise and business acumen.

Despite the tension, Glickman has expressed his intention to collaborate with existing stakeholders. He stated, "We look forward to working with the BBF to cross the finish line."

As the inaugural SLB championship unfolds from October until the play-offs in May, the ongoing conflict raises significant questions about the future direction of professional basketball in Britain. The decision now lies with the clubs as they deliberate whether to ally with the preferred bidder or advocate for a different direction altogether.

Conclusion

The division in British basketball symbolizes deeper underlying issues regarding governance, financial investment, and the future vision for the sport in the UK. The upcoming months will be crucial for shaping the landscape of the basketball community and ensuring its growth and sustainability.