How can BBF V SLB Bloody War be completed?

Friday 04 July 2025 17:45

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British basketball is no stranger to chaos but even with curved standards, a raging civil war between SLB clubs and BBF government agencies are extraordinary.

The point is the struggle for power for the right to run the domestic league. But it also involves claims to be dishonesty, creep mission, revenge and direct illegality which is now on the path that will be aired in the High Court.

The stakes are as high as the sky on both sides: for the club, the efforts and investments they have made to create a super league basketball from the beginning of last summer, and the power to control their own future is on the phone; For the British basketball federation, its authority, financial solvency and, as a result, its existence is below the threat.

So how can we get here? And can something be done to improve the crisis before the expensive legal battle and take time that will damage both parties?

BBF V SLB: Background

Seeds from disputes are currently planted last summer after the collapse of SLB predecessors, the English basketball league (BBL).

BBL and its top team, London Lions, run out of money after the US investment vehicle which now does not have both, 777 partners, folded.

While Lions were saved from administration by Moont, a Lithuanian technology company behind the Global Nord Cybersecurity brand, the club found themselves without the league.

Being determined not to be dragged down with BBL, nine teams including London Lions made a new competition, SLB, in a matter of weeks and run a successful league last season.

That includes an examination club, found a new broadcast partner in Dazn and a new sponsor, which includes Global Reebok sports manufacturers.

This also requires working with BBF, which issued a temporary license for SLB to run the top division – and this is where it becomes controversial.

The SLB club believes they are given a license with the aim of operating the league for at least several years. Conversely, BBF quickly launched a tender for long -term operators from 2026.

Believe that they have been doubled and that the tender process does not follow the legal parameters, the SLB club refused to enter the tender and try to make the BBF change the approach.

After the dispute that lasted several months, BBF announced in April that they had given a 15 -year license to operate the league to GBBL, a group fronted by former American NBA executive Marshall Glickman.

To anticipate, SLB for days previously served the BBF with a notification that it would demand. After BBF withdraws the license and said it would refuse to sign a visa application for foreign players in the SLB team last month, the club began the legal process at the High Court.

In further rounds, BBF has not been able to face other legal claims from Manchester basketball after refusing to uphold the club into the Champions League basketball on the grounds that, after pulling the SLB license, they are no longer included in the recognized league.

Manchester owner Ben Pierson has mentioned the attitude of BBF that is immoral and illegal, saying that deliberately caused damage to the existing ecosystem to be maintained.

Could there be a coup on the BBF?

BBF Chair Chris Grant has bear the burden of criticism of handling his organization towards the problem of licenses, and there is a feeling between the clubs that are his responsibility.

Grant has served since 2022, when he replaced the temporary chairman of Toni Minichiello-mantan coach for Heptathlete winner of the gold medal of the Jessica Ennis-Hill who had since been prohibited by British athletics after he was found guilty of inappropriate sexual behavior, emotional harassment and emotional harassment.

The BBF council, which includes two members of the British, Scottish and Wales basketball, has the power to issue a resolution, such as asking for seats to resign.

The club is a member of Basketball England and an important source of income for BBF. They are understood that they have put pressure on the country of origin with the aim of bringing changes in attitude in the BBF.

It is believed that there is sympathy for their difficulties in the British basketball, despite the fact that the CEO while Nigel Walker was only appointed last week to limit his input.

On a visa problem for players, British basketball has shown a will to try to resolve the deadlock and there is hope for solutions in the coming days.

However, various government agencies are very managed by volunteers, so there is a recognition that those who can dedicate the most resources for this – and those who have the most skin in games – are SLB clubs.

Funding and Government Agency

BBF received funds from the United Kingdom Sport and Sport England and while they could not force change, they could attach conditions to the funding they published.

UK Sport, which allocated funds for elite competition, was understood to have done this by determining where each cent from its contribution was spent and instill staff in the BBF to ensure that the plan was followed.

Sport England has the same strength and in the past ordered public reviews about the national government bodies, such as The Mallin Review, which was published in 2007. It can be understood that British sports did not see their role to start this kind of review.

Likewise, DCMS is believed to have clarified conversations with the SLB club that it also does not believe it can make changes in the BBF. Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock, meanwhile, said to have urged the warring parties to resolve them between them.

Feelings remain among the clubs that British basketball suffers due to lack of political capital and media profiles. Of course, it is difficult to imagine the same situation permitted to increase to stage in football, cricket or rugby union without government intervention.

For this reason, lobbying politicians that are sympathetic to the cause continues. Clive Betts, a member of the labor parliament for Sheffield South East, has asked questions at the House of Commons, while former Sports Minister Richard Sports is estimated to have lobbied the contact of its workers.

British Basketball Civil War: Final Game?

After a few months from Brinkmanship which is increasingly dangerous, there is a feeling that the type of final game might appear on the horizon – even though what it feels like far from certain.

The SLB club and the owner said they used legal action against BBF as a last effort, after running out of all efforts to persuade the government body to enable them to maintain a license to run the domestic league.

This was represented by the Circle Magic Freshfields law firm, who had worked for Manchester City in a successful challenge for the Premier League regulation book, among other clients.

SLB says there is no need for a license from BBF, only recognition. It is believed that the precedent can lean on the case of a family related to the European Super League that fails football, where it is determined that the Government Agency (UEFA) has no right to punish clubs if they make their own competition.

Since giving a 15 -year license to GBBL, BBF has said very little at all. It has not responded to the question of his position about legal actions sent by AM City This week.

Therefore it must be assumed that he will fight for legal actions brought by SLB – at least as long as it can.

Serious obstacles maybe money. BBF was about to break even in 2024 and its reserves reached £ 32,075. It got almost £ 3 million funding from UK Sport in December for the LA 2028 Olympic cycle but it can only be spent on high -performance programs.

This is the belief of the SLB club that DCMS has firmly put aside to save BBF if bankrupt as a result of expensive legal battles. Meanwhile BBF has raised the cost of the GB Women’s Team who played their European championship in Germany last month.

Meanwhile, SLB plans to continue the 2025-26 season with or without BBF licenses or even recognition. Whether the dispute has been completed at that time, through legal or financial needs, is still unknown.