The ongoing dispute between the Super League Basketball (SLB) and British Basketball Federation (BBF) has been turned up a notch as the SLB has announced it is suing the federation.

The SLB put out a statement confirming it is commencing legal proceedings, alleging the BBF is breaching UK competition law, abusing its dominant position and breaching its duties as a sports governing body to act rationally after the federation has indicated it would not provide Governing Body Endorsements – preventing clubs from signing import players who require a visa – unless the league accepts a one-year deal.

The BBF does not currently have a solution for having a licensed league in the 2025-26 season after awarding a 15-year license for the pro-league to GBBL, who do not launch until the 2026-27 season.

The SLB does not require the exclusive professional league operating license the GBBL has been awarded to be able to run their league, but does require recognition from the Federation to be able to obtain work visas to sign import players (in the same way NBL Division 1 does). SLB emphasised they “have no issue with another league (GBBL) being licensed to operate in the UK. We simply want to be able to operate our league free from unlawful harm.”

SLB added they are taking the actions with “considerable regret” and the decision “has not been taken lightly” after feeling like they have no alternative.

They said they remain open to negotiation with the BBF, hoping their action will prompt a review of the BBF’s governance structures and relationship with the professional game.

“The BBF vehemently denies the allegations and it will robustly defend the claim,” the Federation responded in a statement on their website.

“The BBF is confident that it has acted as a responsible National Governing Body, in line with its obligations as a FIBA Member Federation, to serve the best interests of basketball in Great Britain.”

The full SLB statement read as follows:

Super League Basketball (SLB) today confirms that, with considerable regret, it has been left with no alternative but to commence legal proceedings against the British Basketball Federation (BBF).
Our claim explains that the BBF has:

– Breached UK competition law;
– Abused its dominant position;
– Breached its duties as a sports governing body to act rationally, fairly and lawfully.

This decision has not been taken lightly. For almost a year, SLB and its member clubs have sought to engage constructively and privately with BBF to resolve a series of governance and regulatory issues which, in SLB’s view, have directly and unfairly impacted SLB’s ability to operate, grow and safeguard the future of professional basketball in Britain, and the tens of millions of pounds of investment made by those clubs in British basketball.

The recent BBF decision to block Manchester Basketball from competing in the coming season’s Basketball Champions League is just another disappointing example of BBF damaging Great Britain’s standing in European club basketball.

At the heart of SLB’s discussions with the BBF has been a clear and consistent effort to help BBF understand the scope of its regulatory powers and duties under FIBA’s framework and English law. This includes the need to treat the Clubs properly as stakeholders, the limits of BBF’s authority in determining who can operate leagues, the commercial realities of the sport, the need to comply with FIBA, and the distinction between licensing and recognition for professional leagues. Following months of dialogue initiated and led by SLB, and following a licence-tendering process that SLB believes was illegal and fatally flawed, SLB welcomes that BBF now accepts that our league does not, and has never, required a licence to operate; it is sufficient if the BBF recognises SLB as a league.

Despite this progress, a significant issue remains unresolved. While BBF has finally now indicated a willingness to recognise SLB, it has unexpectedly stated it would refuse to issue Governing Body Endorsements (GBEs) — a vital requirement for our clubs to recruit international players who require a visa — unless SLB accepts an arrangement that is limited to just one year. Evidently, and BBF knows this, a one-year licence or recognition is completely unviable, both from a commercial perspective and from the perspective of players, coaches and fans. In SLB’s view, the BBF’s stance is a transparent attempt to undermine SLB’s competitions and clubs. It is designed to put SLB’s clubs at a competitive disadvantage to any rival league favoured by BBF. It is also evidently in conflict with the principles set out in the Code of Practice for Sports Governing Bodies published by the UK Government.

In an effort to resolve these matters discreetly and avoid public conflict, SLB has:

– Provided BBF with detailed advice on FIBA’s recognition framework;
– Requested recognition in full compliance with FIBA regulations (19 February 2025);
– Offered to collaborate on a constructive, middle-path relationship respecting BBF’s national role while preserving our freedom to operate our league in the best interests of the sport;
– Maintained open lines of communication, even as concerns arose regarding the transparency and lawfulness of BBF’s tender processes and decision-making;
– Continued to run a successful, high-integrity league season, while simultaneously working in good faith to find a resolution.

Regrettably, SLB’s extensive efforts have been met with procrastination, shifting positions, and governance practices that, in SLB’s opinion, fall well short of what is expected from a national governing body overseeing a professional sport with livelihoods, careers and businesses at stake.

SLB wishes to make clear that SLB has no desire to operate independently of the national governing body. SLB’s clubs have proudly formed part of Britain’s basketball landscape for decades — some since the original formation of the BBL in 1987 — and remain committed to the collaborative development of the sport in this country.

SLB also reiterates that despite the licence tender being unlawful in our view, we have no issue with another league (GBBL) being licensed to operate in the UK. We simply want to be able to operate our league free from unlawful harm.

This legal action has been taken solely to protect the interests of our clubs, players, staff, and the wider basketball community, and to seek clarity on the lawful operation of leagues, employment opportunities, and the commercial sustainability of our sport.

SLB remains open to meaningful, good-faith discussions with BBF, and sincerely hope this process will prompt a review of BBF’s governance structures, decision-making processes, and future relationship with the professional game. SLB and its Clubs’ objective is — and has always been — to work within a fair, transparent and lawful framework that allows professional basketball in the UK to thrive.

SLB’s notes this is not the first time our regulator has overreached in regard to its rights over the licence. Previous efforts were aborted when common sense prevailed. It is SLB’s hope that this regrettable chapter marks the last time professional clubs in Britain are placed in a position where they must take steps to defend their right to exist and operate for the good of the sport they serve.