Heartbreak and hope: A rollercoaster summer in British basketball
Months marred with financial disaster and an unsure future, fans of British basketball have one thing in abundance: hope.
For almost as long as 777 Partners began their relationship with the British Basketball League, the cracks in their credibility were showing. For months, if not years, the slow downward spiral of the relationship between the American moneymen and both the League and London Lions had been grinding away at the very soul of basketball fans.
Of course, there were those who were ringing the alarm bells as soon as 777 Partners came on the scene. Me, I was more cautiously optimistic in my approach. The ancient Roman philosopher, Seneca, once said “A man who suffers before it is necessary, suffers more than is necessary” meaning of course things could go wrong, but let’s hope for the best and deal with the fallout if and when it comes.
A boy, did it come.
After months of unpacking Companies House activity, articles about 777’s financial sleight of hand in the footballing world, and the complete irradiation of any shred of trust or faith still felt, the British Basketball Federation (BBF) picked up their metaphorical pillow, placed it over the face of the British Basketball Limited, and ended it once and for all. Britain’s governing body revoked the licence to operate the top league in our country.
This left fans conflicted. The good news is that 777’s involvement had all but ended, but at what cost? Would we have a league to follow for 2024/25 and beyond? What would become of the clubs that fell under 777 or League ownership? The Manchester Giants, the Plymouth City Patriots, and the reigning Championship and Playoff champs the London Lions?
While that remains to be seen, a saviour of sorts has come to the fore in the form of Premier Basketball Ltd. A consortium of clubs that have been awarded the licence to operate the top-flight league from the BBF. We can officially start to look ahead and stop saying ‘if’ and start saying ‘when’.
It feels like the beginning of a new chapter for Britain’s national teams, too. Both men’s and women’s teams had a strong showing in this summer’s 3x3 EuropeCup Qualifiers - which the men’s team even qualified for - and a positive, if not winning, set of exhibition games for the senior squad has been enough of a catalyst for hope as the new direction of pro club basketball has.
They say it’s always darkest before the dawn. After some dark times, the first rays of light are starting to peep over the horizon.