With today’s announcement of fixtures, the British Basketball League takes a moment to look back at an incredible 2022/23 season and eagerly anticipates the exciting prospects on the horizon for the 2023/24 season. From record-breaking viewership to impactful community initiatives, the League’s journey has been marked by unprecedented achievements and a steadfast commitment to growth and engagement, from grassroots to the top-tier of professional basketball in the UK.
The highlights in numbers:
- 20,000,000 – The number of live and
on-demand views across British Basketball League channels for the 2022/23
season, compared with 1,400,000 for the previous season. - 217% – Increase in last season’s
viewership across YouTube and Sky Sports. - 15,300 – The number of fans – and
capacity – in attendance of the 2023 British Basketball League Playoff Final at
The O2. - 377% – The rise in viewership of the 2023
Playoff Final compared to the 2022 event. - 06 – The unprecedented number of British
Basketball League and Women’s British Basketball League teams in European
competition this coming season.
A record-breaking season
Throughout the previous season,
viewership of the League soared to record heights, with a remarkable increase
of 217% across YouTube and Sky Sports. The Playoff Finals experienced a
momentous 377% rise in viewership compared to the previous season. In-person
attendance records were shattered as well, with capacity crowds of over 15,300
fans at The O2 in London, as well as sold-out attendances at Cup and Trophy Finals
held in Birmingham and Glasgow.
Digital engagement also witnessed
an extraordinary surge, with live and on-demand video views soaring from 1.4
million to an astounding 20 million during the season. User-generated campaigns
like “Your Coach” and the Golden Ball treasure hunt amplified
interaction, inviting grassroots teams and fans to participate in the League’s
activities.
Community engagement remained a
cornerstone of the League’s mission throughout 2022/23. The Ambassador program,
under the umbrella of the ‘Inspires’ initiative, saw key players from each club
visiting schools to inspire young athletes by sharing their own journeys to
professional basketball. Additionally, the Hoops 4 Health program promoted
positive health messages through in-classroom workshops, inspiring hundreds of
primary school children.
On the court, London Lions emerged
as standout performers this past season, both domestically and on the European
stage. Making history as the first British basketball team to reach the Playoff
rounds of the prestigious EuroCup, the Lions showcased a dynamic blend of
homegrown talent and international stars, engaging audiences and contributing
to record viewership figures for their EuroCup games.
As the dust settles on an
exceptional season, the British Basketball League sets its sights on the
upcoming campaign with a slew of exciting changes. The League unveils the
greatly anticipated 2024 All-Star Game on March 17 and introduces revamped
formats across its Competitions, sure to keep fans captivated throughout the
season.
The League on an
international stage
And it’s not just excitement on a
domestic level. Four prominent Men’s League clubs are set to make their mark in
European competitions. The London Lions, Bristol Flyers, Caledonia Gladiators,
and Seriös
Group Newcastle Eagles are gearing up for international endeavours.
The Lions are entering the
EuroCup, while the Bristol Flyers and Newcastle Eagles are making history by
becoming the first British teams in the European North Basketball League
(ENBL). Glasgow’s Caledonia Gladiators are venturing into the Basketball Champions
League (BCL) Qualification Rounds, flying the flag as the only Scottish team in
their league. This presence of British basketball weaved throughout European
competitions highlights the incredible growth of the sport in the UK on the
global stage and feeds the excitement and appetite for the 2023/24 British
Basketball League season.
Growing both the Men’s and
Women’s game
The Men’s League shares a close
alignment with the Women’s British Basketball League, who together, continue to
push for the growth and development of not only the top-tier of the
professional sport but sowing the seeds at the grassroots level and nurturing
the talent of both girls and boys through our community initiatives and our
clubs’ academies.
This is evident from the
record-breaking presence of not one, but two Women’s League teams entering
European competition this year: with Caledonia Gladiators making their
international debut in the EuroCup Women and London Lions’ entering the
top-tier of European competition in the EuroLeague Women’s Qualifiers.
British Basketball League Chief Executive Officer, Aaron Radin, shared his anticipation, stating:
“This is an incredible time to be involved with British basketball; with all the record-breaking success we’re building on from last season and the achievements our clubs have already earned as they begin their European campaigns. Our focus this season is to tell the stories of our players and teams to grow and engage our audiences at all new levels.”
The opening game of the Regular
Season tips-off on September 14 and features a showdown between the Seriös
Group Newcastle Eagles and B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, setting the stage for a
season of intense competition.
The level of investment in the League has helped take it to new heights. With the continued support of our shareholders, the League’s journey towards becoming a global basketball powerhouse continues, driven by its commitment to innovation, community engagement, and unbeatable basketball action. Stay tuned for exciting announcements as the League gears up for another season of unforgettable moments and unparalleled sports entertainment.
You can keep track of every new signing in the British Basketball League this summer by clicking here. With the countdown to the new season continuing, you can still get your British Basketball fix by following the League on social media or heading to our YouTube channel to relive all of the best moments from last year!