The British Basketball Federation (BBF) has officially entered liquidation, marking a dramatic collapse for the governing body of basketball in Great Britain. The organisation cited severe financial pressures as the primary reason for its demise.
Financial Collapse and Legal Battles
The BBF confirmed it could no longer meet its financial obligations after experiencing what it described as "a significant and unanticipated reduction in income and unforeseen expenditure." The federation has appointed insolvency specialists Begbies Traynor to manage the liquidation process.
This development follows months of turmoil within British basketball, including a damaging legal dispute with Super League Basketball (SLB) over control of elite domestic competitions. The situation escalated when world governing body Fiba suspended the BBF and the GB men's team last month.
The federation's controversial agreement with American investment group GBBL also contributed to the crisis. GBBL had secured a 15-year deal to operate a new elite men's league from 2027, but this arrangement sparked legal action from SLB that was heading to the High Court.
Immediate Consequences and Stakeholder Reactions
Many of the BBF's responsibilities will now transfer to Basketball England, while the ban preventing British referees from officiating in Fiba competitions has been lifted. Documentation seen by City AM confirms that British officials will return to action in EuroCup Women games on 26 November.
The GB men's team, previously suspended by Fiba, is now cleared to face Lithuania in a World Cup qualifier later this month. This represents a crucial development for Britain's international basketball prospects.
Home Nations associations issued a joint statement acknowledging the challenges while reaffirming their commitment to maintaining Great Britain's participation in upcoming Fiba competitions. The statement came from Basketball England, Basketball Scotland and Basketball Wales.
Broader Impact on British Basketball
The liquidation effectively terminates GBBL's ambitious plans to launch and operate a new elite men's league in Britain from 2027. The American group, fronted by former Portland Trail Blazers executive Marshall Glickman, had pledged £15 million in investment over the first two years but failed to win support from existing clubs.
This represents another significant blow to British basketball following the 2024 collapse of 777 Partners, which previously ran the British Basketball League. That organisation faced its own scandal when leading figures were indicted by the FBI over an alleged $500 million fraud last month.
UK Sport acknowledged the BBF board's decision to enter liquidation, noting it "creates uncertainty for the sport in the UK." The funding body emphasised it had taken steps to safeguard public funds and ensure GB teams could continue competing internationally.
The crisis culminated after Fiba granted official recognition to SLB last week, dealing a final blow to the BBF's authority. SLB, representing nine clubs including London Lions and Manchester Basketball, had continued operating as an unlicensed league after successfully petitioning the Home Office to intervene in work permit disputes.
