1998–99 British Basketball League season Eagles (4) Thames Valley Tigers vs. (6) Derby Storm Champions by virtue of head to head record*<br> Play Off Final – Plymouth 71 Teesside 66 Play Off Final – Taunton 99 Birmingham 77 Play Off Final – North London 75 Kingston upon Hull 58 Group A Group B Derby Storm vs. Leicester Riders Sheffield Sharks vs. Manchester Giants 1998–99 British Basketball League season The 1998–1999 BBL season was the 12th season of the British Basketball League, known as the Budweiser Basketball League for sponsorship reasons, since its establishment in 1987. The regular season commenced on September 12, 1998, and ended
Basketball in England Basketball in England Basketball has a very long history in England, being introduced there by the YMCA almost immediately after it was invented (having been created by the Canadian Dr. James Naismith in 1891 in Massachusetts). World War I and II further spurred its popularity. The four highest profile team sports in the United Kingdom are football, cricket, rugby union and rugby league. Basketball belongs to the next tier alongside ice hockey; it has a dedicated following, but attracts little coverage from the major British media outlets. The elite league is the fully professional British Basketball League, featuring teams from