Hoops

Hunter Pirates future in doubt

Noted Skyhook.
You mention consolidating the regions basketball is currently played in. Think about Sydney and Melbourne. While it may seem reasonable to believe that both these cities should be able to have enough supporters of the game to support two teams, history is showing us that they simply cannot. While I believe there should be a second license in Victoria, a team in Melbourne shouldn't be given a chance to fail again. If the NBL is thinking of going back to Victoria a regional area like Geelong should be given another chance, they have the stadium, and im sure people in areas like Ballarat would love a team close by to get behind. For the record, I also think the NBL missed the boat for the central coast area after Soccer's expansion into the area.
Sure, AFL is massive (as is Rugby in NSW) but people in areas like Geelong and Darwin need a sport to follow during the summer (and yes, I know footy in the NT is played during summer). International Cricket isn't played in these areas, and there is only so much Football news to be reported on. Not all indigenous Australians excel in Football, can you imagine some of the abilities and moves these guy's could have playing Basketball with the right coaching. Even wait a couple of years before having a team in Darwin compete in the NBL, and in the meantime, have the NBL negotiate with the NT government, get a development program in place and look to find some star's of the future, in what I believe is an untried area.

Coach K. .. i like most of the stuff you post on this forum .. BUT... i dont think Darwin could accomodate an NBL team.

1. The league is struggling to find a decent market-share in most (if not all) other states, so expansion into Darwin after its moves in NZ would be pretty risky.Consolidate the regions you are supplying- then think about expansion.

2. AFL is massive in Darwin and i believe is too strong for the NBL to compete with (at least short trem 5-10yrs)

Has anyone in Darwin applied to the NBL for a lic.? If they have i'd like to know why they were turned down ?

I do agree with you though on one point.. that indigenous Australians from Darwin, and elsewhere should be represented in the NBL, in admin./ playing capacities.

I've always wondered how an NBL franchise would go in Darwin. It is supposed to be a popular spot, with a majority population of younger people?? Could this be an untapped marketplace for the NBL? Perth hosted a game there this past season, surely more exposure in the region can only be good. People always talk about getting more indigenous people involved in sport in general, could the NBL be seen to be doing it's bit by getting a franchise up and going in the NT?

It doesn't matter how much they earn, it still only occupies them for 6 months of the year. They may as well put the other 6 months to good use. It keeps their practice up and earns extra dollars for them. An increase in Salary cap would not keep them here in Australia in the off season. What I would like to see happen is that the cap is increased and players agreeing to spend atleast a further 3 months in the off season promoting the sport for the extra dollars.

Isaac, why does there only have to be one airline sponsor. One of the Asian airlines may want to come on board as a sponsor and cover the Asian travel.