Plymouth confirmed out as SLB reveals 9-team line up

The Super League Basketball (SLB) have confirmed a nine-franchise line up for the 2024/25 season, with Plymouth being the only city left without a team compared to last year.

A graphic released on social media from their accounts revealed Caledonia Gladiators, Newcastle Eagles, Manchester (name to be confirmed, as reported Monday morning following new ownership), Sheffield Sharks, Cheshire Phoenix, Leicester Riders, Bristol Flyers London Lions and Surrey 89ers will make up the league.

Check out the nine teams who will make up the inaugural Super League Basketball campaign!

Keep your eyes peeled for full fixture information in the coming days, with the season getting underway at the end of September! #BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/Ayb0upbsQt

— Super League Basketball (@SprLeagueBball) August 19, 2024

Plymouth City Patriots released a statement that read as follows:

“Following the announcement by the Super League Basketball it is with regret that Plymouth City Patriots will not be part of the league for the 2024-25 season.

“The club would like to take the opportunity to thank our partners, sponsors and fans for your support over the last three seasons. Keeping a professional team in Plymouth, for everyone in Devon and Cornwall, has been the main focus of everyone involved with the club and it is with great sadness that we are not able to operate in the new season.

“There is always hope that there will be a Plymouth based team playing in the top league of the sport in the future and we wish the nine teams involved with the Super League Basketball the best of luck in the coming season.

“Thank you again for your valued support of professional basketball and please keep following Patriots as the youth programme and NBL games at Plymouth Marjon University will continue.”

And the SLB told British Basketball Daily:

“Due to the expedited timescales that came with establishing SLB for the 2024/25 campaign and the long standing venue issues in the city, a suitable solution wasn’t found to enable Plymouth to join the nine other franchises for our debut campaign.

“The city of Plymouth has a proud history at all levels of British basketball and the door is very much open for a franchise to join the league in the future. We will continue to work with stakeholders in the region to explore all possibilities for growing the sport.”

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