British basketball operator has licence terminated as Caledonia Gladiators' new season plans suffer major setback

The future of basketball’s top club competition in the UK has been thrown into doubt after the British Basketball League’s operating company had its licence terminated by the sport’s governing body.

The British Basketball Federation has stepped in following concerns over the financial position at Basketball League Ltd, whose teams included Caledonia Gladitors, based in East Kilbride.

The company has been overseeing the men’s professional league under a 10-year licence granted by the sport’s governing body in 2017 but there have been growing concerns over its financial situation.

American-based investment firm 777 Partners holds a 45 per cent stake in the league, along with ownership of the London Lions franchise. The federation is now working with clubs, including Gladiators, to set up a new league, but faces a race against time with fixtures due to start in September.

In a statement, Gladiators - who have invested in a new multi-million pound stadium developmentt at Playsport - say they will work with the Federation and other professional clubs to set up a new league and insist the recent developments will not disrupt the preparations of their men's and women's teams for the new season.

A statement from the British Basketball Federation said: “As licensor for the British Basketball League (BBL), the British Basketball Federation (BBF) has been monitoring the financial position of Basketball League Ltd (BLL), the company with responsibility for operating the men’s professional league.

“The aim has been to allow for the consolidation of recent progress and to support the league’s sustainable growth in years to come. However, information provided to the BBF concerning the finances of Basketball League Ltd, including the