Basketball has seen its profile increase drastically in recent years leading to a 27 per cent increase in attendances for top clubs in the BBL, Britain's premier basketball league.

The BBL also announced earlier this month that Wembley Arena will once again host their showpiece play-off final in 2014 after fans packed the arena for this year's final, in which current league leaders Leicester Riders came out victorious against the Newcastle Eagles.

The new season will also see a new franchise introduced to the league, the Birmingham Knights, and the London Lions will complete their move to the Copper Box Arena on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which has been full to capacity twice this month for the Lions' first fixture at their new home against Iowa University and for Great Britain's EuroBasket warm-up match against Puerto Rico.

England Basketball chairman Jan Hagen said: "I am excited about the tremendous potential in the sport, following my recent appointment as chairman, and I believe we have a great opportunity to drive participation in the sport by working with the BBL, the top clubs, and other partners.

"The BBL clubs are committed to their work in the communities and in youth development and we want to leverage even further the synergies between the organisations.

"England Basketball will be actively looking to work with other basketball specific and multi-sport partners as part of its new strategy and more collaboration projects will follow in due course."

Next year's BBL play-off final will take place at Wembley Arena after fans flocked to the venue for this year's final


Grass roots activities by England Basketball and the BBL Foundation are expanding significantly, particularly around the 3x3 form of the game, and basketball has seen the greatest increase in participation in England amongst all team sports, and is now ranked third in team sports for regular participation, behind only football and cricket.

BBL chairman Ed Percival said: "We are delighted to support this focus and drive on basketball participation, and particularly in our inner cities.

"Working with the governing body even more closely will undoubtedly enhance our delivery programmes and drive long term interest in the sport."

Further announcements about the details of the plan will be announced in the
next few months.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
August 2013: British Basketball League Playoff Final set for Wembley Arena return
June 2013: Details announced for British Basketball League Cup Final 2014