Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Sports Minister Orders Inquiry into British Basketball Federation Deal
British basketball is facing scrutiny as the Sports Minister, Stephanie Peacock, has requested UK Sport, the body overseeing elite sports funding, to examine claims of an irregular tender process against the British Basketball Federation (BBF). This intervention follows the BBF’s recent signing of a 15-year agreement with an American consortium to operate a new men’s professional league starting in 2026. The move has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the future of the sport.
Super League Clubs Voice Opposition
The existing nine Super League Basketball (SLB) clubs have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the BBF’s strategy for the sport. Vaughn Millette, owner of the Sheffield Sharks, representing these clubs, formally communicated their reservations to the government in February. This was after the BBF entered into exclusive negotiations with Marshall Glickman’s GBB League Ltd (GBBL).
Serious Concerns Raised with Government
In her official response, seen by the Guardian, Minister Peacock characterized the issues highlighted in the letter as ranging from “serious” to “potentially criminal.” She indicated that officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will task UK Sport with launching a formal investigation into the allegations surrounding the tender process.
Allegations Focus on Tender Legality
The core of the allegations reportedly centers on the legality of the BBF’s tender process for managing the nascent league. Super League Basketball clubs had anticipated bidding to run the league themselves. However, sources within the clubs state they were dissuaded from doing so due to legal concerns.
Minister’s Response to Club Grievances
Peacock’s written response to the clubs’ grievances stated: “Some of the matters you raise in your letter are serious and some are potentially criminal in nature. The Code for Sports Governance outlines the mandatory governance requirements for organizations receiving public funding from UK Sport or Sport England. DCMS officials will raise the concerns you have set out to UK Sport and Sport England to ensure all processes under the code are being adhered to.”
BBF Deal Ignites Civil Strife
The BBF’s confirmation of the agreement with Glickman’s group on Wednesday has intensified discord within British basketball. This internal conflict could potentially put at risk the £4.75 million in public funds that basketball annually receives from UK Sport and Sport England. These bodies are responsible for funding elite and grassroots sports respectively.
Super League Threatens Breakaway League
In reaction, Super League Basketball issued a statement threatening to establish a breakaway league in opposition to the national governing body. They also publicly accused the BBF of conducting an illegal tender process.
SLB Questions New League Operator’s Credentials
A spokesperson for Super League Basketball stated, “The new league operator proposed by the British Basketball Federation lacks clubs, supporters, arenas, or the necessary expertise to develop the infrastructure and future that British basketball and its communities deserve.”
“Super League Basketball has been unambiguous from the start: the tender process undertaken by the British Basketball Federation was unlawful and unfair.”
SLB Vows to Continue Operating League
“SLB wishes to clarify that it does not legally require a BBF license to continue operating the professional basketball league in Britain. SLB clubs and their owners have invested significantly, exceeding £15 million this season alone, to build a sustainable future for professional basketball in Britain, its fans, and the communities it serves. All nine partner clubs are united in their vision to continue operating a stable and viable league for the 2025-26 SLB season and beyond.”
BBF Defends Tender Process
The BBF has consistently refuted accusations of improper conduct. On Thursday, in response to media reports, a BBF representative stated: “At the BBF, we take our responsibilities to make appropriate decisions for legitimate reasons very seriously. This is why we openly advertised this opportunity to operate and grow the men’s league. The federation has been advised throughout this process by a specialist legal firm. The evaluation of bids was conducted by an independent majority panel. Every significant decision has involved all 12 members of the board, representing all areas of the game.”
National Basketball Bodies Support BBF
“The chairs of Basketball England, Basketball Scotland, and Basketball Wales have communicated with UK Sport confirming their awareness and involvement throughout the process. They also affirmed their belief that this process is in the best interests of the sport throughout Great Britain. The process through which the BBF is awarding a long-term license to operate the men’s professional league is critical for the future of the game after decades of underperformance. We remain confident that the current SLB clubs, who chose not to bid for the license, will benefit from participating in a league supported by the expertise and resources the new operator will bring, driven by their vision and ambition for British basketball.”
Mediation Suggested as Alternative
In her communication to the clubs, Minister Peacock proposed the appointment of an independent mediator should the evidence not justify a criminal investigation into the agreement.
Government Role Limited in Commercial Disputes
“Should none of the issues you raised warrant police intervention, and should UK Sport and Sport England indicate they have no further concerns regarding the BBF’s governance, DCMS cannot intervene in commercial disputes between private entities without criminality or misuse of public funds,” the sports minister wrote.
“Were this to be the case, and no agreement is reached between the SLB and BBF, we recommend both parties engage in independent mediation. We trust everyone can agree that the survival of a sustainable professional league is the priority and best outcome for the future of basketball in this country, from the elite level to the grassroots game.”