Joe
The ongoing turmoil within British basketball has escalated dramatically, as the British Basketball Federation (BBF) has refused to endorse four of the country’s top clubs—Manchester Basketball, London Lions, Newcastle Eagles, and Bristol Flyers—for participation in European competitions next season.According to The Guardian, the BBF’s decision has cast serious doubt over the clubs’ continental campaigns, with Manchester already missing the registration deadline for the prestigious Basketball Champions League due to lack of federation approval.
In a related move, the BBF is also accused of threatening to obstruct visa applications for foreign players submitted by Super League Basketball (SLB) clubs ahead of the new season—a charge the federation denies.
The conflict stems from the BBF’s controversial decision last month to grant a 15-year license to an American consortium led by former NBA executive Marshall Glickman to operate a new Great Britain Basketball League (GBBL), set to launch in the 2026–27 season. The current nine SLB clubs, however, have rejected the arrangement and are refusing to join the new league.
The BBF has since suspended the interim license under which SLB clubs were to operate next season, and offered a one-year extension that was rejected by the clubs. Without a license, the BBF argues it cannot endorse applications to tournaments under the Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA), lest it risk its own standing.
In an email to Manchester seen by The Guardian, the BBF wrote:
“As FIBA’s national member federation, the BBF will only endorse clubs competing in our officially sanctioned national championship competitions… Manchester does not currently meet this requirement for the 2025–26 season. We are therefore unable to consider endorsement at this time.”
Manchester Basketball is now considering legal action, citing restraint of trade, while the BBF could also face lawsuits from other SLB clubs over the GBBL licensing process. All nine SLB clubs are reportedly united in support of Manchester.
The BBF has similarly declined to endorse the London Lions for the EuroCup and is not backing the Eagles and Flyers in their bids to enter the European North Basketball League. While the latter competitions fall outside FIBA’s jurisdiction, it remains unclear whether the BBF has the authority to intervene.
Denying allegations of blocking visa applications, the BBF insists it is only able to submit Home Office endorsements for clubs with official league status.
A spokesperson for the London Lions told The Guardian:
“The London Lions stand unequivocally for the principle that British clubs should have the freedom to pursue excellence wherever it exists, to grow the game on the biggest stages.
We hope that the decision to keep Manchester Basketball Club out of the Basketball Champions League is reversed, which will allow growth of professional basketball in the UK, providing opportunities for British athletes, coaches, and clubs to compete at the highest level.”
As tensions mount, British basketball finds itself at a critical crossroads, with its future direction—and unity—hanging in the balance.
Oscar
