Hoops

Possible new $35 million Fox deal for NBL

Sorry for the double post, but just got the answer as to who the 11th stakeholder is.
Thanks go to OzHoops for the Herald Sun link:
"The reform ballot, which also includes a vote by BA as the 11th stakeholder, needs nine votes to pass the NBL back to BA's control, while the state and territory associations will vote on the overall reform process."
So there were 10 current teams (owners, whatever) looking to vote on THEIR future, & an 8 VOTE MAJORITY was all that was required for the reform to get the rubber stamp. 3 major OWNERS are wary of the car salesman's, once in a life-time GIFT. My maths aren't that bad, but I'll put it to open scrutiny.
10-3=7. 2 short of the NINE needed by the NewNBL. Lock that in.
11-3=8. Better odd$, & could be enough to knee-JERK a fence-$itter into giving the go ahead.

So who's the 11th stakeholder, & why are they getting a vote, considering they aren't part of the current 10 team system?
Makes me nervous when they could have the deciding vote, in introducing Poxtel's 8 team league (pushing out 3 existing teams). Have all clubs scrutinised & agreed to this 11th stakeholder's submission?

Only possibly because they are without a league either way? Democracy is a nice notion and certainly Rick Burton didn't do any favours for the idea of a Commissioner (wasn't the Commissioner supposed to take the owners' partisanship out of the decision-making process and avoid just such a situation as this) but it would nice to think some people will act for the greater good.

I know, I know, naive in the extreme, but maybe, just maybe, with Obama being elected in the US, Popovich admitting the NBA title isn't a 'World' Championship, the planets are sufficiently aligned to see people do the right thing.

Perhaps the teams/identity/regions issue is the bargaining we have to do, not the money.

To my mind, Fox would be after volume of content rather than limiting it so the more games from viable teams, the better. Isn't that why Rugby went to Super 14 from Super 12, the Tri Nations added 3 more games and the AFL gets a better deal than Rugby League (that and the fact that Rugby League is dying!).

While the consensus seems to be 'Foxtel live coverage = decreased live crowds' I'm not convinced that'll be the case. If I can see my team (the last of my teams passed away two years ago) every game, at home or on the road, am I not more likely to go to the home games and become more involved (I'm sure there's a much better marketing buzz word used in the report - I know - invested!) in the fortunes of my team. Particularly when the reality of Foxtel is that it is 2-3 airings of every game.

Wall to wall coverage on Foxtel 'in the hand' seems to be a much better option to me (particularly in the order of $35million) than the possibility of engaging oneHD in a potential bidding war for the sake of what - another $1 million per season?

As for handing over control of the league, I don't think the sport is in a place to be arguing they are the ideal custodians of the game. This is the world as it is. The players and owners don't have a gun to their heads. They can go their own way and run their own show but if they do, they risk more of the same. One might suggest that includes alternative employment.

Alternatively, they can deliver a product which Foxtel seems to believe still has commercial value, and take a chance on still being paid to be involved in the game we all love.

If I'm Kobe Bryant the free agent, I probably test the waters of the open market. If I'm the NBL, I'm thinking 'bird in the hand'.

With Isaac & DICKO.
My concern is that the clubs haven't been kept in the picture about the reform, & they're nervous about it. I don't like the smell of it either. Rewind: Poxtel instigated Wednesday games & we all know how great that's been for the league. They've consistently voiced (on OzHoops) the logistical problems of lugging their (1 rig apparently) gear around Australia & I don't see that changing after PAYING $7Mill for the 1st year deal.
I don't know about you guys, but I suspect that the reform's all about getting the Sydney Kings back into the league, & my guess is that Poxtel's behind it. Poxtel's made a living out of airing Kings games (huge market for them with cashed up fairweather fans), who happen to be on their front doorstep. Do you really think they'll move their gear to Perth for example, to show EVERY game? BTW, Perth has NEVER had Poxtel come to town, & I can see why they'd be sceptical.
But guys, sign up for Poxtel if you think it's the future for basketball in Australia.

*** Ferrari importer goes bust *** ; )

Would consider getting foxtel if this happens. We are getting a new 55in Samsung series 9 LCD soon also. Could be very intersting. Like others I was not bothered with any form of pay tv. But this would make us rethink.

Yep - CH10 are showing signs of interest hence the FoxSports move.