Gloucester Knights to BBL

An arena built on a flood plain
What could go wrong?

Have far spread out are those 300 odd fans?

Is there currently a team in the NBL who are realistically targeting the BBL AND have the infrastructure (primarily suitable venue)? Then throw in the franchise model and catchment area limitations.

Whilst it may feel right for a team to have to climb the ladder, I'd argue that only works if there is a flow from the NBL to the BBL.

What it really needs is a BBL2 with promotion/relegation. A new franchise either enters the bottom of the NBL pyramid or into BBL2. Any NBL team should be able to apply to BBL2, but I'd ensure the criteria for acceptance was tough (but reasonable) otherwise it really encourages unprepared teams to make an unreasonable jump believing they didn't have to initially compete against the powerhouse organisations. The criteria should rightly favour solid organisations like Reading or Solent, but may still be rejected due to their venues. It should also encourage locations that could support a national level team to start in BBL 2 (an appropriate level) rather than regional NBL 4 (is that the lowest now, or is it NBL 3?) which would be inappropriate.

Apart from anything else, the inclusion of a BBL would be fun. There would be a fascinating BBL1 relegation battle, but the relegated team(s) wouldn't be "ruined" by the demotion, they'd still be in a competitive and commercially viable environment in BBL 2

I'd also like the idea of two up/two down; one automatic each way. The remaining promotion/relegation spot being decided by play-offs. Either within division; BBL2 2nd bottom v 3rd bottom and BBL2 2nd v 3rd. Or cross division play-offs. The latter should only be considered if reasonable equality across divisions (e.g. work permits) and salary caps. Otherwise it unfairly favours the BBL1 teams who have built teams under different rules.

To ensure the BBL integrity though, any team accepted to BBL2 must do on the basis they can compete in BBL1, which is where venues for example have to be in the entrance criteria. A team turning down promotion to BBL1 because they aren't ready just invalidates the entire structure.

So a team like Gloucester; once their arena is available, they should certainly be able to make a reasonable application to BBL2. Whilst we are a long way off for many reasons, a steady ongoing flow of new teams into BBL2 isn't an issue. Initially larger divisions is fine, and in some future utopia if that required a third division then great.

The harsh current reality is how many teams exist that could form the initial BBL2 who are venue and commercial ready to operate in BBL1. I don't think that requires a set of fingers to count. So that suggests compromise. NBL1 in particular consists of many well run organisations who could operate under the BBL2 banner. I think in the early days promotion would need to be determined on both the club accepting and the BBL deeming them suitable and ready. The potential relegated club would have no say, but the concern is that club could be put at risk with relegation to what will likely be a much inferior (commercially and operationally) division in the early years.

Anyone no how likely a BBL2 is and what are the main stumbling blocks as to why there has been very little traction on the idea over the years?

I've rambled about it before, probably more than once.

The big sticking point IMO is that it's hard to see the BBL clubs voting for relegation. Turkey don't vote for Christmas, although they don't get a choice. It took massive pressure for the Football League to agree to relegation (and League 2 still sends down less than any other division) but there's no sign that BE or BBF will get involved. BBL 2 would still be an improvement if it freed them for BE control but I'm not sure that alone is enough of a reason for change 

checked the maps - and yep can see not really an overlap (30 odd miles is a decent gap, when our hockey team got shifted that far we went from every home game attendance to twice a season treat). Key is building a local fan base as you say.

like the comments again about a bbl2 as a path to separate the pro part of the sport from the amateur part of it - and a potential way to help bridge the introduction of new pro clubs to the BBL structure.

Harping back to other sport again though, think it would only work if all NDL clubs buy in that can only be pro (or semi-pro) in the BBL1/2 structure and dont go like hockey did where clubs would jump from eihl then go back to other leagues as they have a fractured model and pro/semi-pro under multiple governing bodies. You dont want most deciding BBL1/2 is place to go but a few stay back in NDL and then suddenly BE run a semi-pro league and BBL run one as well.

It’s a very long journey from D4 to the BBL player wise, organisation wise, sponsorship wise, crowd wise, very which way. Good luck but not a real hot bed of basketball is it?