Following the London Towers’ rejection of a wildcard into the FIBA SuproLeague, and their expressed intention to join the ‘breakaway’ ULEB competition next season, the Executive Board of the English Basketball Association has requested a meeting with Towers’ Managing Director, Rick
Taylor.

The President of the EBBA, Keith Mitchell OBE, and the Chairman, Betty Codona OBE, had lobbied hard to help the London Towers and the Birmingham Bullets in their bid to obtain the wildcard to the SuproLeague. FIBA selected the London Towers and the EBBA are extremely unhappy at their decision to reject it in favour of the ULEB competition.

There are huge implications for the sport of Basketball and FIBA sanctions to be placed on teams, players and match officials involved with ULEB are being considered.

The Association is in the process of consulting about the matter and the meeting, which should take place in the next few days, will determine the next course of action the Association will take.

Last season Towers competed in the FIBA organised Saporta Cup, playing ten group games in the first round, before narrowly failing to make the later stages of the competition.

EBBA Chief Executive Simon Kirkland said:

‘Naturally this is a great concern to us. The Executive Board were unanimous in their decision that a meeting is required in light of Towers’ decision to join up with ULEB and I have been mandated to progress the matter. There is
no hiding behind the fact that the Board were very disappointed indeed that Towers’ are intending to play in a competition that is not recognised by
FIBA. ‘

Further information from Simon Kirkland at the EBBA, Tel: 0113 236 1166, ext. 215, Simon.Kirkland@ebbaonline.net
Or Emily Clarke on ext 211, Emily.Clarke@ebbaonline.net