BBF announces GBBL as long-term licence operators for pro league
The British Basketball Federation (BBF) has announced they have signed a licence with GBB League Ltd (GBBL) to operate the premier men’s professional league in Great Britain over the next 15 years.
The move comes despite the threat of legal action by Super League Basketball (SLB) who had been awarded the interim licence to operate for the 2024-25 season.
BBF claims the SLB elected not to bid for the long-term licence to run the league and has therefor activated a clause in the interim licence agreement enabling it to be terminated at the end of the current season.
There’s an upfront commitment of £15 million from GBBL to support operations and growth activities in the first two years, though the league is not expected to start until the 2026-27 season, with the BBF exploring options for next season.
BBF Chair, Chris Grant said: “We’re delighted to welcome GBBL to the British Basketball family. The award of this licence not only heralds the biggest ever level of financial investment into the league, it also brings the knowhow, connections and vision to excite those who already love the game and to attract new fans and participants.
“The GB women’s and men’s teams have both qualified for FIBA EuroBasket this summer, and our progress on the court will be boosted through the LA Olympic Cycle funding recently announced by UK Sport. To have booming professional leagues which enable our top players to compete in front of British fans, week in and week out, is just what we need in order to fulfil British Basketball’s huge potential.”
GBB League Managing Director and CEO Marshall Glickman added: “We are fully committed to uplifting the popularity of basketball in Great Britain, We are especially focused on making our league attractive to homegrown players, both in terms of economics and development. We want to see our players lead the GB national team to the 2028 LA Olympics.”
“It is also essential that we use the league as a platform to celebrate British culture – we believe in the fusion of sports with music, fashion, wellness and equality. We believe basketball is a next generation experience that we will embrace in a variety of ways – both physically and digitally.”
SLB are preparing a statement in response to the announcement in the continuation of a very public back-and-forth that has transpired over recent months.
A Super League Basketball spokesperson said: “The new league operators proposed by the British Basketball Federation has no clubs, fans, arenas or expertise to build the infrastructure and future that British basketball and its communities deserve.
“Super League Basketball (SLB) has been clear from the outset that the tender process undertaken by the British Basketball Federation (BBF) was illegal and unjust.
“SLB would like to make clear that it does not legally require a BBF license to continue to operate the professional basketball league in Britain.
“SLB clubs and their owners have worked tirelessly and invested well over £15m this season alone to create a sustainable future for professional basketball in Britain, its fans and the communities it serves.
“All nine partner clubs are united in the vision to continue operating a stable and viable league for the 2025-26 SLB season and beyond.”
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