Fenerbahce Istanbul wins TBL off the court

As was expected, Galatasaray did not play the Turkish TBL decider and Fenerbahce Istanbul has been awarded the title without having to take to the court. It is the clubs’ ninth TBL title, but none have come in such anti-climactic fashion. A combination of events ranging from poor officiating, worries over security in Fenerbahce’s arena, and what Galatasaray thought were double standards led the team to sit out the decisive Game 7.

It is an embarrassment for the Turkish Basketball Federation and the TBL as what should have been a dramatic winner takes all showdown between city rivals turned into the easiest 20 points Fenerbahce Istanbul will ever get. The club was handed a 20-0 win to claim its first title since 2011 and the TBL ended with a whimper.