The civil war engulfing British basketball has worsened dramatically as the British Basketball Federation (BBF) is now blocking four of the country’s top clubs from competing in European competitions for the 2025-26 season. Manchester Basketball, London Lions, Newcastle Eagles, and Bristol Flyers have had their applications for European places refused endorsement by the BBF, putting their participation at risk and escalating tensions within the sport.

This growing rift between the BBF and these leading clubs stems from the BBF’s controversial decision last month to award a 15-year licence to run the men’s professional league to a new Great Britain Basketball League (GBBL), led by an American consortium headed by former NBA executive Marshall Glickman. The nine existing Super League Basketball (SLB) clubs have rejected this move, refusing to join the newly sanctioned league and operating without a licence after their interim permission to run the SLB next season was suspended by the BBF.

Amid this turmoil, the BBF informed Manchester Basketball that it would not endorse their application to compete in the Basketball Champions League, Europe's premier continental competition. By refusing endorsement, the BBF effectively blocked them from meeting the registration deadline. The BBF's position, as articulated in a recent email to Manchester, is that only clubs competing in officially sanctioned national competitions will receive the necessary backing to join FIBA-organised European events. Since the SLB operates without a BBF licence, these clubs are deemed ineligible for such endorsements.

The London Lions have also been denied BBF support for their entry into the EuroCup, Europe's second-tier competition, while Newcastle Eagles and Bristol Flyers have been blocked from joining the European North Basketball League, a competition outside FIBA’s jurisdiction. It remains unclear whether the BBF has the authority to stop these latter clubs from participating, highlighting legal ambiguities amid the crisis.

Further compounding the dispute are accusations that the BBF is threatening to obstruct visa applications for overseas players signed by SLB clubs for the upcoming season. The federation, responsible for submitting endorsements to the Home Office, denies these claims, framing them as a product of some clubs’ sense of entitlement. However, the lack of official licence status remains a barrier to providing such critical endorsements.

The BBF’s firm stance has provoked a strong reaction from the affected clubs. Manchester Basketball is reportedly exploring legal action against the federation on the grounds of restraint of trade, while other SLB clubs are expected to back them in potential litigation over the GBBL licensing process. The London Lions have publicly stated their commitment to pursuing excellence and expanding the game on the biggest stages, urging the BBF to reconsider its refusal to allow participation in European competition.

The roots of this conflict trace back to the collapse of the British Basketball League (BBL) following the liquidation of its major investor, 777 Partners, which led to the formation of SLB by the nine top professional clubs who sought to provide continuity for the domestic game. The BBF, however, initiated a fresh tender process for a new professional league licence, awarded to the American-led consortium without consulting the SLB clubs. This lack of dialogue has fostered resentment and accusations of unfair governance.

The situation has drawn the attention of UK sports authorities, with the Sports Minister, Stephanie Peacock, requesting an inquiry into the BBF’s decision-making process due to governance and transparency concerns. Meanwhile, the BBF denies any illegality in the tender process, reiterating its commitment to a transparent, non-discriminatory approach intended to secure the long-term stability of professional basketball in Britain.

As the dispute escalates, the future of professional basketball in the UK remains uncertain. The standoff not only jeopardises the international ambitions of British clubs but also risks fracturing the domestic game at a critical juncture. With legal battles looming and governance questions unresolved, stakeholders face a complex challenge to restore unity and chart a sustainable path forward for the sport.

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Source: Noah Wire Services