How Super League Basketball Is Governed
Super League Basketball (SLB) is governed through a clear framework designed to provide consistency, accountability and transparency across the league and its Clubs.
Who is responsible for governing SLB?
There are three key parts of SLB’s governance structure:
- The Shareholders – the clubs who compete in SLB, who have ultimate ownership of the company and approve matters reserved for them.
- The Board – responsible for the overall direction of the company and setting a business plan for shareholders to approve
- SLB League Central Staff – responsible for carrying out the operational and administrative functions of the organisation including managing the Competitions and ensuring clubs are compliant with the operating rules
- SLB Integrity Department– responsible for maintaining Competition Integrity and operates a range of functions including; Discipline, Officiating, Medical, Safeguarding, and Anti-Doping
SLB maintains a register of interests and related parties to support good governance and transparency.
How are the Operating Rules created and changed?
SLB’s Operating Rules apply to all Clubs and the Competitions and are approved by the Shareholders.
The rules provide a consistent framework for how Clubs and Competitions operate, including their responsibilities and obligations.
Rules can be updated in different circumstances:
- Minor or legally required changes can be made by SLB where necessary to keep the rules accurate and compliant with applicable law or requirements of basketball governing bodies such as FIBA.
- Other changes require the approval of a simple majority of Clubs.
Where a Club proposes a change, it is submitted to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), who considers the proposal and either prepares an amended rule for Clubs to consider or explains why a change is not required.
FIBA is asked to comment on any proposed changes so that it’s views can be taken into consideration.
Clubs are then asked to approve, reject or abstain on the proposed change. Any approved alteration is communicated to all Clubs within 14 days.
[View the full SLB Operating Rules →]
What happens if the rules are broken?
All Clubs, and the relevant people representing them, are required to comply with the Operating Rules and the obligations that apply to their participation in SLB.
Where a potential breach is reported, SLB can investigate the matter and, where a breach is established, apply appropriate sanctions. Depending on the nature of the breach, these can include warnings, fines or, in serious cases involving a Club, termination of its Franchise Agreement.
Some breaches are subject to automatic sanctions under the Operating Rules, meaning a separate investigation is not required.
SLB also operates a warning system for Clubs. A Club receives a warning for each individual breach. If a Club receives two warnings within a rolling two-year period, any subsequent infringement will result in a fine, subject to the specific provisions of the Operating Rules.
A framework for fair and consistent competition
This governance framework exists to ensure that SLB and its Clubs operate within a common set of standards, with clear processes for making changes, addressing potential breaches and managing the Competitions.
The Operating Rules sit alongside SLB’s constitutional and contractual documents, including its Articles of Association, Shareholders’ Agreement and Franchise Agreements.