BASKETBALL GETS NEW START DATE
SEASON WILL BEGIN, BUT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, ON OCTOBER 30
LEICESTER Riders’ start to the new BBL season is back on after the sports governing body received confirmation that it will receive government support to compensate for the games being played without spectators.
Riders were supposed to start their season on October 2, but the new tip-off will now be behind closed doors on Friday, October 30.
Following the government’s announcement on September 22 that fans would not be allowed back into sports venues from October 1, as had been hoped before the national spike in Covid-positive figures, the BBL has been in urgent dialogue with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to determine the level of appropriate support government would be able to provide, given the significant impact the late decision has had on the league.
Riders Chairman Kevin Routledge said he was delighted that clubs would get financial assistance.
“There has been a huge amount of uncertainty since the announcement by the government in September that the planned return of spectators from the beginning of October would not be allowed,” said Routledge.
“This has severe consequences for the club because of our high dependency on ticket sales and local sponsors and additional game night sales, including corporate hospitality.
“Playing behind closed doors for any period of time was never going to be sustainable and, with the team in training for nearly eight weeks now, there was a cloud hanging over the way forward.
“There remains a great deal of pressure on the Morningside Arena and the work of our Foundation, particularly because, for example, indoor team sports are also not allowed, but the news from the government is a huge step forward and one which all of basketball will welcome. I know coach Rob Paternostro, his coaching team and all the players will be delighted with the news and will now step up their preparations.”
The BBL put on record its gratitude to those people at the DCMS “for the openness and rapid pace of the discussions, and for the assurances that appropriate support will be made available to those spectator sports affected”.
Sir Rodney Walker, the chairman of the BBL, said: “We extend our thanks to Oliver Dowden, Nigel Huddleston and DCMS for their swift response in the wake of the very recent decision to not allow fans back into sports venues.
“This support comes in recognition of the immense work our clubs have done in preparation for the 2020/21 season, not only for competition but also in terms of the extensive work they do in their communities.”
Andy Webb, the league’s chief operating officer, said there was much to do in the next couple of weeks to make sure all was ready to go by October 30.
The news is a huge step forward and one which all of basketball will welcome Riders chairman Kevin Routledge
“We have a lot of urgent work to do to reformat the schedules and ensure they work with our arenas, but everyone is excited to get going,” said Webb.
“The games will be played behind closed doors but streaming packages will be available for fans to follow their teams.”
The 11 teams who will compete in the new season are Bristol Flyers,
Cheshire Phoenix, Glasgow Rocks, Leicester Riders, London Lions, Manchester Giants, Newcastle Eagles, Plymouth Raiders, Sheffield Sharks, Surrey Scorchers and Worcester Wolves.
Riders were due to play their second pre-season friendly at Bristol Flyers on Friday, but positive Covid cases in the student player pathway programme led the club to cancel.