In a stunning turn of events, the British Basketball Federation (BBF) has handed the licence rights for its top-flight league to EuroLeague CEO Marshall Glickman’s consortium, potentially replacing the Super League Basketball (SLB). 

The SLB was only established last summer after a group of team shareholders created the UK basketball top-flight after its predecessor, the British Basketball League, collapsed following financial issues with one its primary investors, 777 Group

Despite the SLB halfway through its inaugural season, the BBF notified the league yesterday (29 January) that it had opted for an external operator to run the men’s basketball league from next season onwards. 

Where SLB teams’ frustration lies, according to a league statement, is in the fact there were no consultations on the transferring of licence rights to Glickman’s Group. 

The statement read: “The SLB shareholders and directors have this morning been formally notified by the British Basketball Federation that it intends to award the long-term license for the men’s professional basketball league in Britain to an external operator from the start of the 2025/26 season.

“Whilst we understood that the BBF would impose a process to tender, we have not, at any time, been consulted or included in its development even though we were listed as key stakeholders in the tender application process.”

The BBF ended its tender process for licence rights yesterday and prefers the bid from the Portland Timbers President Glickman, alongside partners Chris Dillavou and Arjun Metre

According to the BBF, Glickman’s group will undergo a “rigorous assessment process”, including “scrutiny of information concerning the source and availability of funds to implement the proposed business plan”. 

Glickman’s group will now be able to approach the nine SLB teams to negotiate and outline their plans for how they can work together to form a new league. However, as the SLB is made up and owned by shareholders of all nine teams, this may prove to be tricky. 

Within the SLB’s reaction statement, it revealed that all nine teams remain committed to the league’s progress throughout the rest of this season and most importantly, it may be looking to separate from the BBF all together as part of a breakaway league. 

The statement read: “The SLB shareholders, directors and all nine clubs remain steadfast in their commitment to SLB, our fans, partners and our employees in providing great experiences and opportunities for basketball at all levels, from grassroots provision to the elite men’s professional game. 

“As such we will operate the SLB with its continuing success and planned strategic growth but will no longer be under the purview of the BBF. The SLB clubs are united in this decision and look forward to developing this incredible league for many years to come.”

If the nine SLB teams do decide to breakaway from the BBF’s remit, it would make the establishment of a new league incredibly difficult for Glickman’s group and the BBF to launch by this year. 

Many of the teams in the SLB, such as the London Lions, Leicester Riders and Newcastle Eagles, are long-storied clubs that have been present in British basketball for more than 60 years.

The SLB have also been active in its commercial and broadcast department, securing a streaming deal with DAZN, as well as with Bristol-based video production group Brandvox and EMG / Gravity Media.

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