Basketball: British Basketball League's operating licence under review
Last Updated: 28/01/15 2:14pm
The British Basketball League is taking legal advice after Basketball England announced its operating licence is under review.
Basketball England, who oversee the running of professional leagues in this country, released a statement on Tuesday indicating their desire to see further growth in sport.
Jan Hagen, chairman of Basketball England said: “Basketball England is the guardian of basketball in the country and we are determined to see the sport reach its full potential here.
“Our singular objective is to see the licence awarded to the organisation with a deliverable plan most likely to take the sport to the next level”.
The BBL has been running in its current format for the last 18 years, but its licence is expiring at the end of the season.
The released a statement of their own on Wednesday condemning the actions of Basketball England.
The league’s statement read: "The BBL was not advised of this release in advance. The BBL also does not believe the process set out by Basketball England is credible, or contractually compliant, or has the options implied.
“BBL is disappointed its governing body put this matter into the public domain, because of the inevitable damage to the sport.
"BBL is awaiting a response to a letter sent to Mr Hagen, the chairman of BE on 29th December, 2014. BBL is taking further advice, and reserves all rights."
Former Great Britain women's coach Mark Clark and co-founder of BBL side Manchester Giants Jeff Jones, will sit on the licence review committee, with further members to be announced in due course.
