BBF goes into liquidation as governance crisis engulfs British basketball

The British Basketball Federation has today confirmed it has ceased trading and is taking steps to enter liquidation, marking the most severe governance crisis in the sport’s modern era.

In a statement, the BBF said the collapse follows “a significant and unanticipated reduction in income and unforeseen expenditure” that left the organisation unable to meet its liabilities. Insolvency specialists Begbies Traynor have been appointed to manage the process.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hoopsfix (@hoopsfix)

The announcement ends days of escalating concern following reports of its financial status, along with months of turmoil triggered by the what-is-presumed-be-invalidated licence awarded earlier this year to the start-up GBBL, the lengthy legal battle that followed with Super League Basketball (SLB), and sanctions imposed by FIBA as confidence in the BBF’s governance eroded.

The BBF says its immediate priority is working with FIBA to maintain the stability of the GB national teams and ensure participation in upcoming international windows. UK Sport, the Home Nations, and the FIBA Taskforce are all involved in keeping the programmes operational.

The FIBA Taskforce reiterated its support, saying it remains committed to helping the federation restore operations and maintain Great Britain’s standing within the international system.

Basketball England, Basketball Scotland and Basketball Wales issued a joint statement calling the moment “challenging” but reaffirming their commitment to collaborate under a future GB framework to ensure national team continuity.

The collapse raises major unanswered questions about the long-term structure of British basketball, the governance arrangements that follow, and the status of the controversial 15-year exclusive agreement the BBF signed with the GBB League.

With the BBF entering liquidation, it would be presumed the contract is invalidated, placing the future of the GBB League project in serious doubt.

The GBB League has made clear it does not intend to fade quietly. In comments to the Yorkshire Post, the organisation said it is reviewing legal options regarding its 15-year licence and expressed “grave concern” over payments already made to the BBF.

SLB, whose clubs are currently operating the men’s professional league independently, had been pursuing the nullification of the GBBL deal through the High Court.

In response to the BBF’s liquidation announcement, SLB said it was “saddened” by the news and expressed concern for staff affected during “a difficult and uncertain time.”

The league added that it would continue to support the sport “from grassroots to the elite level – including supporting the GB team in the forthcoming international fixtures,” and said it would work constructively with FIBA, the Home Nations, UK Government and other stakeholders “to support the review of governance of the sport that is so evidently necessary.”

FIBA’s recognition of SLB earlier this month further undermined confidence in the BBF’s position, while in recent weeks UK Sport began channelling elite funding to Basketball England to safeguard the women’s programme following the BBF’s instability, while discussions have been ongoing across government and the Home Nations about how to maintain operations for the men’s side.

The BBF said its immediate priority is to fulfil its commitments to upcoming FIBA competitions, which includes the GB women’s World Cup qualifier away to Austria this weekend and the GB men’s World Cup qualifier against Lithuania on 27 November, before Iceland away.

The BBF’s liquidation is another damaging blow to a governing body that has struggled for more than a decade with chronic financial instability, limited staffing, and repeated leadership turnover.

Chair Chris Grant resigned last month after overseeing one of the most turbulent periods in British basketball’s history.

UK Sport told CityAM it recognised the “uncertainty” created by the BBF’s liquidation and reiterated that its investment has been focused on the 3×3 programme, adding that it had taken “robust steps” to safeguard public money throughout the period of instability.

What happens next is unclear. The BBF is legally the recognised FIBA member for Great Britain, even as the company enters liquidation, meaning the Home Nations and UK Sport will need to work alongside the FIBA Taskforce to construct an interim operating model capable of delivering national team obligations and rebuilding compliance.

British basketball must now navigate the aftermath of the BBF’s collapse, the future of elite governance, and the relationship between the Home Nations, FIBA, and the professional game – all while ensuring the GB teams remain on court in the months ahead.