The British Basketball League was founded in 1987 Super League Basketball (SLB) says it has begun legal action against the British Basketball Federation (BBF), accusing the governing body of abusing its position and breaching UK competition law. The SLB says it is being undermined by the BBF's decision to refuse to issue governing body endorsements (GBEs) - a requirement for any club wanting to sign an overseas player requiring a visa - unless it accepts a one-year deal to keep operating. The SLB says that decision is designed to put its clubs at a "competitive disadvantage to any rival league favoured by BBF" and could be in breach of the UK Government's code of practice for sports governing bodies. The organisations had been in dispute over the BBF's decision to terminate an interim deal with the SLB and instead agreea 15-year dealwith GBB League Ltd (GBBL) to run the men's professional league from the 2026-27 season. SLB says the BBF has since acknowledged that it does not need a licence to operate and just needs to be recognised as a league. It added that it has no issue with another league being given a UK licence, but wants to operate "free from unlawful harm". SLB was awarded an interim three-year licence last July to replace the British Basketball League, which collapsed amid financial concerns. But in April the BBF agreed the deal with GBBL, saying that because SLB had elected not to bid for a long-term licence it activated a clause to terminate the interim agreement at the end of the 2024-25 season. SLB disputed that view, saying it had withdrawn from the tender process after "concerns were raised over the legality of the BBF's actions" and that its nine clubs would refuse to join. BBC Sport has contacted the BBF for comment.
Super League Basketball to sue governing body
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"Super League Basketball Files Lawsuit Against British Basketball Federation"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Super League Basketball (SLB) has initiated legal proceedings against the British Basketball Federation (BBF), claiming that the governing body has abused its authority and violated UK competition laws. The SLB argues that the BBF's refusal to issue governing body endorsements (GBEs) is detrimental to its operations, as these endorsements are essential for any club wishing to sign overseas players who require visas. The SLB contends that this refusal is strategically designed to place its clubs at a competitive disadvantage compared to other leagues favored by the BBF. This situation raises concerns that the BBF's actions may violate the UK Government's code of practice for sports governing bodies, which is intended to ensure fair competition within sports leagues. The dispute escalated following the BBF's decision to terminate an interim agreement with SLB and instead enter into a long-term, 15-year agreement with GBB League Ltd (GBBL), which is set to manage the men's professional basketball league starting in the 2026-27 season.
The SLB emphasizes that it has no objection to the establishment of another league under a UK license but insists on its right to operate without facing unlawful interference. The SLB was granted a temporary three-year license in July 2022, following the collapse of the British Basketball League due to financial issues. However, the BBF's agreement with GBBL was based on the assertion that SLB chose not to pursue a long-term license, leading to the termination of their interim agreement by the end of the 2024-25 season. In response, SLB refuted this claim, stating that it withdrew from the bidding process due to concerns regarding the legality of the BBF's actions and that the clubs involved would not participate under the current terms. BBC Sport has reached out to the BBF for their comments regarding this ongoing legal matter.
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