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British Basketball Federation Enters Liquidation After Financial Crisis
The British Basketball Federation (BBF), the governing body for the sport in the UK, announced on Saturday it will enter liquidation, citing a "significant and unanticipated reduction in income" and "unforeseen expenditure" that left it unable to meet financial obligations. The collapse follows months of legal disputes and governance challenges that have destabilized basketball operations across the country.
Legal Battles and Licensing Disputes Trigger Downfall
The BBF's financial strain stems partly from a protracted conflict with Super League Basketball (SLB), the existing operator of Britain's top-tier men's competition. In April, the BBF awarded a 15-year license to run a new professional league-the Great Britain Basketball League (GBBL)-to a consortium led by American businessman Marshall Glickman, which pledged £15 million in initial funding. However, the nine SLB clubs condemned the tender process as "illegal and unjust" and refused to participate, escalating tensions.
Last week, SLB secured an agreement with Fiba, basketball's global governing body, to oversee the men's top-tier competition in Great Britain-a move that further undermined the BBF's authority. The federation's suspension by Fiba in October over governance violations compounded its crisis, leaving its future in doubt.
Fiba and UK Sport Pledge Support Amid Uncertainty
In its statement, the BBF emphasized the urgent need for domestic stakeholders to collaborate with Fiba to "ensure the ongoing stability and security" of Great Britain's national teams, including upcoming Fiba competitions. Fiba, which launched a task force in August to address regulatory failures in British basketball, reaffirmed its commitment to helping the BBF "restore its operations" and reclaim its role as the sport's governing body.
"We have taken robust steps throughout this period of uncertainty to safeguard public funds and to help enable GB teams to continue to compete."
UK Sport
UK Sport announced it would work closely with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the basketball community to chart a path forward. Meanwhile, GBBL-now facing the collapse of its licensing partner-stated it was "working with its legal counsel to evaluate its options," noting that "significant sums" had already been paid to the BBF under the now-jeopardized agreement.
What's Next for British Basketball?
The BBF's liquidation leaves critical questions unanswered:
- National Teams: Will Fiba or an interim body assume control of Great Britain's international competitions?
- Domestic Leagues: How will the power struggle between SLB and GBBL resolve, and which entity will ultimately govern professional play?
- Funding: With the BBF's £15 million pledge in limbo, where will financial support for players, coaches, and infrastructure come from?
Stakeholders have yet to announce a timeline for resolving the governance vacuum, but pressure is mounting to prevent further disruption ahead of the 2026 competitive season.
