BBL Release Full Statement from Chairman Regarding License Review

The British Basketball League (BBL) has released the full scathing statement from Chairman Ed Percival on Basketball England’s recent announcement they will be reviewing the professional league‘s operating license after a potential £36million investment pot was uncovered.

The statement does nothing to temper the rising tension between the National Governing Body and the pro league, as Percival calls into question Basketball England’s own ability to run the sport while pointing to the BBL having secured over £7.5m in public sector funding and calling the BBL’s events “the most successful in British basketball” as testament to its own efficacy.

“The BBL notes that, In all the many discussions with BE over the last 3 years, all of which are documented, no material concerns were identified by BE, and BBL was assured the contract arrangements they have in place with BE would be extended with minimal change,” the statement reads.

Percival also adds they are open to “engage with any party that had a serious proposition for investment in basketball in Britain, provided it is done in a professional, legal, and ethical way.”

The full statement reads as follows:

The BBL was established in 1987, and is owned by the top basketball Clubs in the UK. The BBL and its clubs has numerous sponsors and partners at national and regional level, with major partners in the private, public and third sector sectors, and have developed enviable community and talent programmes.

In 2011, the BBL was critical in establishing and supporting, including financially, the BBL Foundation (now named the Basketball Foundation), a not-for-profit organisation which coordinates and delivers (in association with the Franchises) regional and national programmes, usually in partnership with schools, local authorities, local universities and colleges of further education, local PCTs, housing associations, community groups and charities. The BBL Clubs have their own Foundations doing similar and very substantial community work in their areas, significantly increasing the development and reach of basketball in their respective franchise areas. In addition, the BBL Clubs also comprise a very significant fraction of the BE registered membership. The BBL is also critical to‎ the setting up and supporting a women’s league (WBBL) and the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Basketball of MPs and Peers.

In the last six months alone the BBL Foundation and its Club equivalents have secured over £7.5m in public sector funding for basketball community programmes and projects.

In 2013 the BBL introduced independent governance of day-to-day management of the company.

The BBL Events are by far the most successful in British basketball, and growing strongly, culminating in the BBL Playoff Final being staged this May at the iconic O2 Arena with a 17,000 capacity.

The BBL notes that, In all the many discussions with BE over the last 3 years, all of which are documented, no material concerns were identified by BE, and BBL was assured the contract arrangements they have in place with BE would be extended with minimal change.

Regarding investment proposals for British basketball , the BBL would be pleased to engage with any party that had a serious proposition for investment in basketball in Britain, provided it is done in a professional, legal, and ethical way.

The BBL is incredibly disappointed with the recent Press Releases by BE, which BBL believes have been immensely damaging to the sport.

The Press Releases were released at a time when:

• The just announced Active People Survey results for basketball were poor, and disappointing
• BE failed to get its funding cut in January 2014 restored last month
• BE is required to undergo a governance review by HMG
• BE recently staged one of the poorest attended National Cup Finals in memory

The BBL can also confirm it will shortly appoint financial advisors to deal with any Investment Proposal it may receive from any party.

Additional points in regards the BBL license:

• As an example, on  27 November 2014, the Basketball England Chairman, Jan Hagen, informed the BBL Chairman in writing that: “Not renewing the BBL licence is not and has never been an objective.  I don’t think it’s remotely desirable to launch a separate pro league, so the way forward is to build on the existing franchises.”

• The BBL has also provided BE with our legal advice regarding the (non compliance) by BE with regards to the law and our contract with BE

• In any event, it is not credible, and BBL does not believe BE has the right, for BE to seek to consider options for League commercial rights, independently of the major Clubs in the UK.

Additional points in regards any potential 3^rd party investment in basketball in the UK:

• In spite of multiple requests, we have yet to see the details of the claimed Investment Proposal in British basketball to which the BE Chairman, Mr Hagen, has referred

• Notwithstanding the lack of information provided regarding the claimed potential new investment, the BBL forwarded to the BE Chairman, a financial summary of BBL, which he subsequently forwarded to his Board members, who were also Directors of a new company set up by the CEO

• In spite of multiple requests, we have not been invited to met the alleged Principal Investor

• In spite of multiple requests, no proof of funds has been provided

• In addition, the BBL notes it has been utterly confused and concerned by emails we have received on behalf of a private company, set up by the BE CEO prior to any approach to BBL, owned by the BE CEO, registered at his home address, from BE email addresses and from senior BE Directors/ staff.

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