Antitrust: Basketball Federation Under CCI Lens

In a development that has drawn renewed attention to the conduct of sports federations under competition law, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has ordered an investigation into the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) after forming a prima facie view that it has contravened competition law.

The Case Against BFI

The allegations against BFI were raised by Elite Pro Basketball Private Limited. These relate to the Federation’s failure to provide sanction/approval for the conduct of a new private basketball league, the Elite Pro Basketball League, and the promotional event titled the Elite Pro 3×3 League. The allegations also concern restrictions imposed on basketball players regarding participation in leagues not sanctioned by the BFI.

Despite discussions with BFI officials in early 2022 and multiple requests for approval, no permission was granted. After initial try-outs, BFI officials allegedly misrepresented the facts to the media and issued threats, thereby forcing a change of venue for subsequent try-outs. The Federation also required all players participating in the 72^nd Senior National Basketball Championship and the BFI-recognised Indian National Basketball League to confirm that they had not signed with any unauthorised leagues.

A post-BFI-election meeting in 2023 made no progress, with allegations that exorbitant sums were demanded; later that year, permission for the promotional event was denied.

CCI’s Observations

Before examining the issue of abuse of dominance, the Commission delineated the relevant market as the market for organising basketball leagues, events, and tournaments in India. It noted that the BFI held a dominant position in this market.

The Commission was of the prima facie view that the following provisions of the Competition Act, 2002, were contravened:

• Section 4(2)(b)(i) – Limitation of the provision of services of basketball players: BFI’s actions, particularly the September 2023 circular urging players to refrain from participating in the promotional event, appear to have the effect of limiting/restricting the provisions of services of basketball players, referees, and coaches to participate in non-BFI-sanctioned events

• Section 4(2)(c) – Denial of market access to organisers of basketball leagues: BFI denied market access to organisers of basketball events/leagues such as EPBPL, including by issuing threats that forced a venue change and by requiring a Memorandum of Understanding for the organiser to receive BFI’s backing.
• Section 3(4)(c) – Compelling players to exclusively engage with BFI-authorised tournaments amounts to an exclusive distribution agreement: The September 2023 circular appears to deny the players the opportunity to participate in leagues of their own choice and compel participants to exclusively engage with BFI-authorised tournaments, which amounts to forcing an exclusive distribution agreement.
• Section 3(4)(d) – Refusal to deal: BFI has refused to authorise or recognise events organised by third parties like the EPBPL, without providing justification or a transparent policy for such denial, effectively amounting to a “refusal to deal”.

With this, vide order dated November 25, 2025, the Commission directed the Director General to investigate the matter and submit a report within 60 days.