The competition of Bundesliga Basketball for the German championship is to be continued, as far as will be possible from a health and legal point of view. The representatives of the 17 clubs and the BBL agreed on this target scenario in an almost four-hour video meeting on Monday - without any dissenting votes.
This means that easyCredit BBL will not be discontinued, but will remain suspended for the time being. The aim is to end the season in a tournament format lasting several weeks, including playoffs, by June 30th. Ten teams have declared their willingness to participate, including FC Bayern Basketball. The tournament would be played centrally in one hall to ensure the highest possible security standards. The possible venue will be determined next Monday.
Due to the corona pandemic, games with spectators are excluded at the least until August 31st. For the option worked out today, the BBL will need a positive sign from the authorities for permits by May 18th at the latest. Otherwise the 2019/20 season will be ended. A comprehensive safety and hygiene concept is already in preparation and is now to be presented to the official and political authorities in the near future.
"This was a very constructive round of talks today, which resulted in a very good consensus," said FCBB Managing Director Marko Pesic afterwards. "On the one hand, we are glad that this means that there is still the chance to play our sport again soon, although unfortunately without fans. On the other hand we are absolutely aware that we have to present the best possible hygiene and safety concept. Our scenario is subject to approval. After all, nothing has changed in the fact that health comes first. Nevertheless, we are very pleased that the clubs have come out in favour of this very courageous model. Incidentally, we are also very pleased that those clubs that did not feel able to continue playing have done so."
Tournament format consisting of several weeks including playoffs
Instead of a continuation of the regular main round, the championship title and the rankings that determine participation in the European competition will now be played out in June in a tournament format that will include playoffs. Apart from the FCBB, the teams from Ludwigsburg, Crailsheim, Berlin, Oldenburg, Vechta, Bamberg, Göttingen, Ulm and Frankfurt would participate. In two groups of five, each team would play against each other. This would then be followed by quarter and semi-finals as well as the final in an adapted play-off mode.
Würzburg, Braunschweig, Bayreuth, Giessen, Bonn, Weissenfels and Hamburg would not participate in the tournament. They would be listed in the final standings behind the ten tournament teams. There will be no sporting relegation this season. Teams 1 to 16 of the final ranking after the tournament round will take part in the cup competition 2020/2021.