LONG-TERM MEN’S PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE LICENCE EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST INVITED
British Basketball Federation launches formal process for the appointment of long-term Licensee to operate British professional men’s basketball league.
The British Basketball Federation (“BBF”) is taking an important next step in the development of British professional basketball. The Federation is inviting formal expressions of interest to bid for a long-term licence to operate the men’s professional 5vs5 league in Great Britain. As a Member of FIBA, the International Federation, the BBF has the exclusive right to grant licences to operate professional basketball leagues in Great Britain.
In July 2024, the BBF confirmed the award of an interim licence to Super League Basketball Limited (“SLB”), a company formed by a consortium of British basketball clubs. The aim of this interim arrangement was to provide stability and enable the 2024/25 League season to take place, following termination of the previous licence with Basketball League Limited.
The termination announcement issued by the BBF on 14th June 2024 stated that work on the process “to shape longer term arrangements for the effective governance and development” of the League was already underway and would be completed “as soon as possible, taking regard of the BBF’s obligation to conduct robust due diligence with regard to possible investors.”
The BBF is now delivering on its commitment to provide a strong platform for the sustainable growth and success of professional basketball in future years through the award of a longer-term licence for the operation of the League beyond the 2024/25 season. The provision of an environment conducive to the continued growth and success of the existing men’s professional clubs as well as the attraction of new franchises will be a key consideration in the shaping and award of the long-term licence.
Chris Grant OBE, Chair of the British Basketball Federation said: “Looking at the popularity and positive energy around basketball in Britain, this has to be seen as one of the most significant opportunities for many years across the entire professional sport landscape. The 2024/25 season promises to bring excitement for basketball’s amazing fans, and to provide further evidence of the unique power of the game to engage people from diverse backgrounds on and off the court. We salute the resilience and positive energy of all those who have made this season possible and we look forward to building on the growing professionalism and unity of purpose which has enabled British professional basketball to overcome significant challenges and demonstrate its readiness to go to the next level and beyond.”
Any parties interested in operating the League in future seasons can submit their expression of interest by completing the Expression of Interest Declaration available below and submitting it by email to BBFlicence@onsidelaw.co.uk by no later than 17:00 GMT on 8 November 2024. Once all expressions of interest have been received and assessed, we intend to distribute formal invitations to tender. BBF aims to conclude an efficient process and announce a decision as soon as possible, which we expect to be in early 2025.
The League shall be operated under the current interim license for at least the 2024/25 season. Please note that the right to operate the League in future shall be subject to the entry into the necessary licence and constitutional documentation agreed with the BBF and satisfactory due diligence of the bid and the persons behind the bid by the BBF.