The British Basketball Federation (BBF) has announced it will enter liquidation after ceasing trade, plunging the sport into a deep crisis in the United Kingdom. This decision stems from a severe financial shortfall and ongoing governance disputes that have destabilized the governing body.
The BBF cited a significant and unanticipated reduction in income combined with unforeseen expenditure as the primary reasons for its inability to meet financial liabilities. A statement released by the federation highlighted that these financial pressures forced the organization to halt operations immediately, leading to the liquidation process. The crisis has been exacerbated by legal costs incurred during a protracted battle with Super League Basketball (SLB), the existing top-tier men’s competition in Great Britain.
In April 2025, the BBF awarded a 15-year license to GBB League Ltd (GBBL), a consortium led by American businessman Marshall Glickman, to establish the new Great Britain Basketball League. This move was intended to revitalize the sport with an injection of £15 million in funding over the first two years. However, the nine SLB clubs rejected the new league, labeling the tender process as “illegal and unjust” and refusing to participate, which deepened the rift within British basketball.
The conflict escalated when SLB reached an agreement with basketball’s world governing body, Fiba, just a week ago to oversee the top-tier men’s competition, effectively bypassing the BBF. This development followed Fiba’s suspension of the BBF last month due to governance issues, which had already raised concerns about the federation’s viability. Fiba had established a taskforce in August to investigate regulatory non-compliance, indicating long-standing problems within the organization.
In response to the liquidation, Fiba has committed to supporting the BBF in restoring operations and securing its role as the governing body. The immediate priority, as stated by the BBF, is for domestic stakeholders to collaborate with Fiba to ensure the stability and security of the Great Britain national teams, including their participation in upcoming Fiba competitions. This focus aims to mitigate the impact on athletes and international representation.
UK Sport, the body responsible for distributing public funds to sports, acknowledged the situation and stated it had taken steps to safeguard public money and enable GB teams to continue competing. It plans to work closely with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the basketball community to chart a path forward. Meanwhile, GBBL expressed grave concern over the significant sums it had paid to the BBF under the license agreement and is evaluating its legal options.
The liquidation of the BBF marks a critical juncture for basketball in the UK, with the sport’s future hanging in the balance. The resolution of this crisis will require coordinated efforts among Fiba, UK authorities, and grassroots organizations to rebuild trust and establish a sustainable framework for the game’s development.
