Basketball: League sidesteps major fall-out after ITV Digital fiasco

Community links and strong financial controls help clubs prepare for season's big tip-off

When Newcastle Eagles and Chester Jets tip off the 16th British Basketball League season at the Telewest Arena tonight, the shouts of encouragement from the fans will be matched by the sigh of relief from the sport's leading administrator.

"It's been a hard summer," admitted the BBL chief executive, Mike Smith. "It's always a relief when the games start." This summer the BBL fought to repair the damage caused by the demise of its main broadcast partners, ITV Digital, while more changes to the League's line-up gave the impression of a competition built on shifting sands.

It appears that the BBL was more successful than others in negotiating a way out of long-term agreements with ITV Digital and its linked media partners who were no longer able to fulfil their contracts.

Smith says the BBL is in a stronger financial position now than ever. "We continue to pay significant sums of money to our clubs. After ITV Digital's collapse we still hear about Football League clubs facing liquidation. Not one of our clubs is at risk as a result of ITV Digital failing.

"But they did cause us problems. We suffered from their low audience figures the same as everyone else with advertisers and sponsors." But the BBL has renewed its relationship with the BBC, which will screen January's National Cup final live on Grandstand, and Smith added: "We expect to announce a deal for regular TV coverage in six weeks." This season's fixture list shows more changes, including the north and south conference system having been replaced by a single 11-team national league to decide the championship.

Manchester Giants went under during last season, Derby Storm and their dingy venue were dropped from the fixture list during the summer, Edinburgh Rocks have moved to Glasgow to become the Scottish Rocks, while the Brentwood-based Leopards have finally dropped London from their name after two years and replaced it with Essex.

Smith said: "It isn't an issue for us whether the League contracts to eight teams or expands to 16. The issue is that each of our clubs must generate a positive profile and commercial income."

Basketball is a "buzz" sport with local authorities. All players are contracted to help on numeracy, literacy, coaching and other initiatives with disadvantaged children. Sheffield Sharks have a classroom, for example, and Birmingham Bullets are involved in a £500,000 initiative with their city council.

Smith said: "The Rocks have moved away from an unreceptive local authority to one that wants them and, at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow, provides a 4,000-seat arena. Look at what Nick Nurse is achieving at the Brighton Centre, another 4,000-seat venue and another great relationship with the local authority." Nurse, the Bears coach, last week bought out his former co-owner Romek Kriwald to take sole control of the club.

The 35-year-old Nurse, from Iowa, said: "I really believe in basketball and Brighton and in the Bears. I think this can work as a business. I would like to think I won't lose money doing it, but making a profit is not always the main goal." But basketball's biggest problem this summer has nothing to do with Smith or the BBL, although they intend being part of the solution.

The sport's governing body, England Basketball, has already staggered into its new season of men's, women's and age group national league competitions after the most damaging and humiliating few months in its 66-year history.

In May, Simon Kirkland resigned as EB's chief executive but stayed on to complete a report into the sport, only to be permanently suspended. The national team's coach, Laszlo Nemeth, replaced him as temporary chief executive, was then also suspended, but has now been reinstated to his former duties. Sport England, initially bemused onlookers to this farce, could remain on the sidelines only for so long.

Barry Chivers, head of Sport England's Audit Management Services, last week advised EB to postpone its AGM until 30 November to allow his team to continue working on the first quarter management accounts.

Smith said: "In the past some individuals in England Basketball thought it to their advantage if the BBL was weak, and some members of the BBL thought it suited us if EB was weak. There is recognition now that we both need to be strong and this affair has brought us closer together. We will be announcing joint initiatives in a few weeks' time."

Slam Dunkers: Four To Follow

Brighton Bears

Last season: 2nd in Southern Conference.

National League prediction: 1st

Brighton have made a quantum leap in depth, bringing back Wilbur Johnson, Sterling Davis, Mike Brown and Randy Duck, but adding Rico Alderson, Ralph Blalock and Emiko Etete. Coach Nick Nurse has added incentive after buying the club.

Chester Jets

Last season: Won Northern Conference, Championship, Trophy and National Cup.

National League prediction: 2nd.

New Zealander Pero Cameron captained the 'Tall Blacks' to an unexpected fourth place in the World Championships last month. Coach Robbie Peers has added Shawn Myers, Shawnee Holloway and Todd Cauthorn to returning John McCord and Calvin Davis.

London Towers

Last season: Won Southern Conference.

National League prediction: 3rd.

Terrell Myers, Robert Youngblood and Kendrick Warren are key returnees for Towers, but it could be Irish international and former Birmingham Bullet John O'Connell who adds the extra dimension. Withdrawing from European competition will boost their domestic challenge.

Leicester Riders

Last season: 5th in Northern Conference.

National League prediction: 4th.

Leicester coach Billy Mims has made wholesale changes to the Loughborough University-based club, but recruited players he knows ­ Malcolm Leak from the 2001 Riders championship team, plus Kenya Capers and Mo Robinson from Mims' 1999 Leopards title winners.

This weekend's fixtures

Tonight: Newcastle Eagles v Chester Jets (7.30). Tomorrow: Birmingham v London (7.0), Brighton v Thames Valley (7.0), Sheffield v Milton Keynes (7.0). Sunday: Chester v Birmingham (5.30), Essex v Sheffield (5.0), Scottish v Newcastle (5.0), Thames Valley v Leicester (4.0).