English Basketball League
Current season, competition or edition: 2016–17 English Basketball League season
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|
| Sport | Basketball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2003 |
| No. of teams | 94 |
| Country |
 England
|
| Continent |
 FIBA Europe (Europe) |
| Most recent champion(s) |
Manchester Magic |
| Level on pyramid | 2-5 |
| Domestic cup(s) | National Cup |
| Official website | englandbasketball.co.uk |
The English Basketball League are an organisation established in 2003 by England Basketball to replace the former administration, and currently operates professional, semi-professional, and amateur levels of the game. Senior levels include the men's leagues in a four-tiered pyramid structure, as well as the English Women's Basketball League. The senior leagues are supported by a junior structure for both male and female players, with leagues for under-18s, under-16s and under-14s.
From 2003 competitions were restructured and prefixed with the letters EBA but the league tables remained under the same name, that of the National League. This is effectively the second tier of men's basketball in the United Kingdom, along with the less celebrated Scottish Men's National League. From 1972 until 1987 it was the first tier and only league system in England but this changed in 1987 when key British clubs at the time formed a breakaway league.
The National Leagues include the second, third, fourth and fifth levels of men's competition in England. There is no promotion and relegation between the EBL National League and the British Basketball League (BBL), which operates a franchise system. Despite this, several teams have applied to make the step from EBL National League to the BBL in recent years, looking for greater competition and more exposure.
In time for the 2015-16 season, the English Basketball League was rebranded once again as the National Basketball League.
National Basketball League - The men's competition is headed by a 14-team Division 1, followed by a 12-team Division 2, both of which are open to clubs from across England. Below this, Division 3 is operated as two regional 12-team conferences, divided into North and South groups. All other teams affiliated with the NBL compete in the National Basketball Development League, which is divided based on the number of clubs applying for membership each year.
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