Skip to main content

OPINION: Surely the BBL is a no brainer?

A statement by Basketball England has shocked the sport to it's core with the revelation that the current professional league the BBL could be stripped of that right as a review takes place.

Basketball England said: "A licence review committee has been set up to consider all options including but not limited to a competitive tender process and negotiation with the existing licensee of the professional basketball league, with a view to renewing existing arrangements."

 Add onto the fact we've seen a MASSIVE drop in participation and we've got a bit of a crisis on our hands.

 It seems bad news and basketball go hand in hand recently with the funding removal (although kind of in a better place), men's Eurobasket qualification failure and now this!

But what therefore are the options for Basketball England?

Well to be frank they seem quite limited; while the NBA mentioned potentially setting up a European league while they were over here earlier in January, it doesn't make sense for them to set up a British league and lets be honest, it won't happen.

So what of Premier League Basketball? Often heard but continuously in the development phase, they have said the following about the review (to BBC's Chris Mitchell):



 Although they did also comment that "Given all that has transpired this week in British basketball, PLB represents the new standard, we move ever closer!"  - (whatever that means).

On the rise there is the British Premier Basketball League but as that is literally fresh off the counter, they are still looking for teams to sign up at this stage!

So with the NBA a pipe dream, the PLB not ready and the BPBL brand new, there seems to be little alternative for British basketball other than to stick with the BBL.

Perhaps the EBL could somehow be integrated into the BBL somehow much like how Scottish Football has restructured.

We can only speculate as to why Basketball England has decided to make this announcement; perhaps they saw Mersey Tigers/Birmingham Knights winning no games? Perhaps they don't see improvement within the league? Perhaps it is an issue with BBL contracts or the lack of LIVE TV coverage? Would something like relegation/promotion being introduced have an affect?

The 6-month timing and the fact that the BBL weren't notified of the release from BE, means that it points towards mismanagement at least on some level.

While we await an update on the situation, we currently are left in limbo with a few people left to make a decision,

But it would appear logically that there is no alternative to the BBL.

Be Inspired.

(On a side note there are too many acronyms in British basketball).


Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kendal Johnson wants to ball in the BBL

Kendal Johnson is an American who wants to play in England in a busy week where he is likely to find out where he will be playing and when. Johnson is the cousin of NBA star Marcus Camby and is looking to be a player/coach in the British Basketball League or English Basketball League. He admits he doesn't know too much about the current state of British basketball but has heard good things. He said: 'I've always wanted to go to England but I don't know a lot about the basketball league, I have a friend at the Worcester Wolves and he has told me there is lot's of positives.' 'I've played basketball since I was little obviously having Marcus Camby as a cousin I was always in that sort of environment.' Johnson revealed he had been in talks with various BBL and EBL clubs and is hoping a move can be agreed in the coming days. He also thinks that it is important to get young people involved in sport. He added: 'One thing I would like to ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hardaway Jr ready for London debut

It was a disappointing start to the 2014/15 season for the New York Knicks as they suffered a 104-80 defeat to the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks will be playing at The O2 Arena in London in January as part of the 2015 NBA Global Games. Tim Hardaway Jr has never been to London and is looking forward to the challenge as the Knicks take on the Milwaukee Bucks. He said: " When I was a kid, London Bridge is falling down, that's all I used to hear about London. I know that there are some great tourist attractions you see them all in the movies all the time. "You see it on computers and pictures that people post, and my friends going there to visit. I just can't wait to be a part of that. "The New York Knicks posted a picture of Amar'e Stoudemire with his hands held high and it said 'The Knicks are returning to London in 2014 -15'.  "I was very ecstatic, I was happy, excited, all at the same time. I couldn't wait to be a part of it." ...
Post a Comment
Read more

BBP: Plymouth Raiders: 'I can bring class and integrity'

Last season the Plymouth Raiders managed a play-off semi-final spot despite finishing sixth on the BBL ladder and will be hoping to be as competitive in the 2013/14 season. The semi-final stage was also where the teams BBL Cup dreams ended with a nine point defeat to Newcastle Eagles. Garrius Holloman is a new addition to the squad who comes from America to compete and is hopeful of a trophy. He said: "I don't have any personal goals other to be a good team mate both on and off the court and help the club grow and help them win a championship." "I feel like I am a hard worker and I want to help whatever the team needs, I've heard it's a great surrounding and great community, i'm just looking forward to having a first-hand experience of the area." "I love to play the game of basketball and I'm not picky on what leagues to play in, this opportunity came and I took it." Holloman can play on as a wing or guard and is excited to...
Post a Comment
Read more