FIBA suspends BBF authority, bars GB men from international play

FIBA on Tuesday temporarily suspended the British Basketball Federation’s authority to license or recognize national men’s competitions and barred the Great Britain men’s team from international competition, citing governance failings that a taskforce found after meetings with stakeholders in London. The move, aimed at restoring regulatory integrity, leaves the future of a planned new professional league and a pending High Court dispute in doubt.

The decision follows a months-long dispute that began in January when the British Basketball Federation awarded a 15-year licence to operate the top-tier men’s competition to a US-led consortium known as the GBB League, led by Marshall Glickman. Nine clubs that formed Super League Basketball refused to join the new arrangement, arguing the BBF’s tender process was unlawful and mounting legal action. That split intensified after the collapse of the previous British Basketball League last season when its backers ran out of funds.

FIBA said the measures were taken after a comprehensive review, including interviews and meetings, and authorised its taskforce to engage directly with basketball stakeholders and the UK government to propose an...