I Still Believe

PAPER ON

BASKETBALL AND THE BBC FOR THE 21st CENTURY

By – Mike SHAFT Dec 2003

OVERVIEW

While this might seem a bit harsh, I believe Basketball is in a bad way in the UK. However it does not have to be that way.

Many people will believe that all that is missing is money. Not surprisingly I take a different view.

I believe that the most important requirement of basketball at this precise moment is exposure. Having been involved in British Basketball for a number of years I have seen the sport at all levels. Basketball needs to be on television, but not just any television. Basketball needs to be on terrestrial television.

Only then will it be exposed to enough people to ensure its growth. The BBC has a glorious opportunity to broadcast regular British Basketball to help the growth of the sport into one which could challenge football, rugby and cricket in years to come.

This will benefit the sport in a number of ways including bringing in sponsors to help the teams attract the better British players spread around the world. If we are to have a successful National team in the future then it is my opinion that this must happen soon rather than later. The next Commonwealth Games, in 2006 in Australia, will feature Basketball.

This provides a glorious opportunity for an English Gold Medal.

Should we win the bid for the 2012 Olympics, basketball provides one of the greatest potentials to lift a medal, but the planning and preparation must begin now.

BBL CUP FINAL – 11 01 04

The first major final of this 2003/04 season is the BBL Cup which will take place on the 11th of January at the NIA Birmingham. This will be broadcast live on Grandstand on BBC Television.

This final will feature two of the top teams in the UK, the League Champions and the Play-off Champions of last season. The Westfield Sharks and the Scottish Rocks will, I believe, provide a feast of basketball which could be billed as the Battle of Britain.

This game provides a wonderful opportunity for basketball to show the premier broadcaster in this country, and every other broadcaster as well, just how good British Basketball can be.

REGULAR GAMES

Should British Basketball put on a spectacular show for the BBL Cup Final, I believe the opportunity exists to persuade the BBC to show basketball regularly on BBC Television. We have the venues to show the sport in its best light and, with a couple of exceptions, The BBL is at present a very competitive league.

The opportunity also exists for new teams to come into the BBL in future years. I know of individuals in the Manchester area who are standing by to invest in a new team should the future of the game look brighter. Venues now exist in Manchester, Coventry, Nottingham and Birmingham all of which could host professional basketball teams.

At present, I believe games could be broadcast at London Towers, Sheffield Sharks, Newcastle Eagles, Brighton Bears and Scottish Rocks. Other games could be moved to some of the potential venues should that ever become necessary.

CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND

The Championship weekend takes place in May and is probably British Basketball biggest event. I believe The BBC could be made interested in this event with potentially 6 hours+ of quality sport over two days.

I believe that if we could get the BBL Cup Final broadcast right, there will be an opportunity to get the Championship Weekend on BBC Television.

THE NEXT SEASON 2004 – 05

Should we get the BBL Cup Finals right, the opportunity exists for the BBC to take British Basketball as the regular broadcaster for the 2004/05 season.

Basketball offers the BBC the opportunity to connect Britain in a most spectacular way, with teams potentially in every major city in the UK. In the short term, it offers the BBC an opportunity to broadcast a professional sport that is flexible, exciting and attractive to a whole new audience.

THE LONG TERM

Should we get the coming months right, the opportunity exists for the BBC to take British Basketball on as one of its major sports for coming years. This sport probably offers more potential than any other in the UK at the moment.

As stated earlier, Basketball offers the BBC the opportunity to connect Britain in a most spectacular way. British basketball offers the BBC an opportunity to reach out and attract new audiences.

Basketball is still regarded as a sexy sport and could give the BBC a kudos that could be very welcome in years to come. The BBL has some work to do but with everyone pulling in the same direction everything outlined in this paper is possible.

Should the BBC grasp this opportunity I believe we could be at the start of a very fruitful relationship between the BBC and British Basketball.