BNXT League to introduce new format next season with return matches from the beginning

Ostend -ZZ Leiden will be on the agenda from the start of the campaign next season.

Basketbal BNXT League

Ostend -ZZ Leiden will be on the agenda from the start of the campaign next season. — © BELGIUM

Finally! After three seasons of the BNXT League and an umbrella competition between Belgian and Dutch basketball clubs, this BENE competition will have a clear format. The 2024-25 campaign starts with 20 teams (Netherlands/Belgium), with a 'Round-Robin' system and with return matches.

In September 2021, in the midst of the corona pandemic, the BNXT League with Dutch and Belgian teams started. This is to further expand the economic growth of the largest indoor sport in the Low Countries. Due to the Covid crisis, many matches initially had to be contested behind closed doors. That was a blow and caused a false start.

What was wrong from the start was the competition format. The BNXT League started with a separate Belgian and Dutch 'Domestic League'. The first matches between Dutch and Belgian teams would only be completed after five months. Then in an Elite Gold and Silver formula. Especially the 'silver group' with the bottom five from both countries was a thorn in the side. Little quality, hardly any spectators and above all no media interest. After a first disappointing season, there were no changes. “A major evaluation will only follow after three campaigns. We can make some adjustments in the meantime, but major changes are for later,” said the BNXT League. A missed opportunity, because the second and current seasons also made it clear that the formula with Elite Gold and Silver was not appreciated. The 'man in the street' did not understand the BENE competition. “People who follow basketball don't understand it either,” analyst and Belgian basketball icon Rik Samaey recently said in our newspaper.

Antwerp Giants plays its Night of the Giants against Dutch opponents. Here Jean-Marc Mwema scores against Den Bosch in the Sportpaleis. — © GOYVAERTS/GMAX AGENCY

Financial problems, clubs become shareholders

After the corona pandemic, the BNXT League suffered a new blow due to an impending ban on publicity from gambling firms in the Belgian sports world. Many basketball teams have sponsorship deals with gambling companies and BetFirst was the main sponsor of the BNXT League. That main sponsor withdrew, leaving the BNXT League with a large mountain of debt. After many meetings there was light at the end of the tunnel. The clubs pay an amount plus starting premium to start the BNXT League and become shareholders. Even more power for the clubs and they recently decided at a general meeting that the formula must be adjusted after three seasons.

The decision has been unofficially made and from September 2024 a 'Round-Robin' system will be used and the eleven Belgian and nine Dutch clubs will play a first and second leg from the start. Clarity is key and there will be Belgian and Dutch duels from the start. In accordance with FIBA ​​regulations and European basketball, such a system can theoretically present three rankings: a Belgian, a Dutch and a BENE ranking. After the regular phase, the national play-offs follow, followed by the BNXT final between the Dutch and Belgian champions.

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