After claiming to have been barred from discussions about the future of Britain’s men’s professional basketball league, Super League Basketball (SLB) claims to be prepared to leave the British Basketball Federation (BBF).
In its search for a long-term league operator, Portland Trail Blazers president Marshall Glickman led a group to become a preferred bidder, according to the BBF’s governing body on Wednesday.
Glickman and partners Chris Dillavou and Arjun Metre entered an exclusive negotiating period, according to the BBF, as the tender process “enterped into a new phase.”
SLB, which was established last summer to replace the British Basketball League after it collapsed due to financial concerns, claimed it had not been consulted and was willing to continue outside the BBF’s purview.
The league’s nine clubs “engaged in good faith” with the BBF last summer, according to SLB chair Vaughn Millette, and after receiving an interim three-year license to operate, “understood that a collaborative approach would be undertaken to secure a longer-term licence on behalf of the SLB.”
The SLB’s shareholders and directors unanimously decided to withdraw from the process after concerns were raised about the legality of the BBF’s actions, according to Millette.
The SLB never received any substantive responses from the BBF, and the tender document did not permit any changes to the BBF’s fees and conditions. This approach would have rendered the league un-investable. “
The BBF stated to BBC Sport that it thought SLB would apply for a long-term licensee and that SLB should not be “restrictedly involved” in the formulation of the proposed terms and evaluation standards.
” Despite the BBF’s encouragement, SLB chose not to enter the process. That was their decision to make, but it was one which meant they would not be awarded a long-term licence, “the BBF said.
This is a crucial moment, according to the statement.
SLB stated in a first statement following the BBF’s announcement that “we will operate the SLB with its continued success and planned strategic growth without losing the BBF’s control.”
The SLB clubs are happy to continue developing this incredible league for many years to come, according to the statement.
The BBF board’s “unanimous decision” regarding the long-term licence for Britain’s men’s professional league was taken based on recommendations from a panel featuring two independent experts and the chair of the federation’s finance, audit and risk committee.
BBF chair Chris Grant said: “This is a pivotal moment as we work to fulfil British Basketball’s enormous potential.
” Marshall Glickman’s group bring huge basketball and business knowhow. They have embraced the idea of British basketball as a force for good, as evidenced by the significant contributions made by the local professional clubs.
Glickman said his group intend to” work alongside existing stakeholders”, adding:” We look forward to working with the BBF to cross the finish line. “
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Source: BBC
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