Hoops

South Dragons coming back?

So will there be any tension between BA wanting NBL players available for Boomers camps & games, and the NBL owners trying to protect their players?

I anticipate issues around finding suitable dates, making players available, injuries which are serious enough to keep them out of Boomers camps & games but mild enough to allow them to play NBL, insurance, etc.

Would BA actually look after players better than the selfish NBL owners? (Not looking at Essendon or anything, but ...)

BA's pie included a 100k participation fee from each franchise each season did it not?

What makes you presume no one in Brisbane cares? You're right in that it will probably be a struggle in some senses but if it's marketed correctly there's no reason a Bullets revival can't succeed. The matter of an appropriate venue that won't cost a mint to lease is a bigger issue.

Most of the current Tall Blacks were Breakers Academy players and unless they were cut by the Breakers would remain loyal to them.

There are a few Kiwi's currently without NBL positions and a couple in Australian Clubs like Bartlett and Truman.

Lindsay Tait, Nick Horvath, Casey Frank, BJ Anthony, Leon Henry, Dion Prewster, Marcell Jones, Mark Dickel all don't have contracts and others will be squeezed out of the Breakers over the next few years . Wellington will also give young players another Academy Pathway choice into pro basketball as opposed to the Breakers current talent monopoly.

The Saints have been working towards the NBL for a number of years.
They are the most stable and successful NZNBL franchise by quite a bit.

They have a well established fanbase in Wellington,the owner has said he would consider moving to Christchurch if it helped their case but I think that's stupid. Christchurch has struggled to keep their NZNBL teams well supported and afloat let alone an NBL club that will struggle have it's work cut out for them on court in a much tougher league where as die hard Saints Fans will prob be a little more understanding.

Teams could play the Breakers Thursday night in Auckland and play Saturday night in Wellington and the local derby games would draw decent crowds.

2nd NZ would be nice, but with 2m metro viewers in Brisbane unrepresented, the first effort has to go there.

It's critical for a new TV deal for Brisbane to re-enter the league. From what I know, that is their #1 priority at the moment. Followed by a 2nd Melbourne team, 2nd NZ team hasn't really been talked about in any length apart from Nick talking to the media about it.

Barriers to entry to the NBL are pretty low now without BA.

Good for Wellington's cause as they dont need the $1M guarantee (even though this wasn't a problem)

Also, Wellington will be seriously considered now, as the NBL doesn't have to worry about another NZ team entering 'their comp' like BA did.

Wellington Saints Owner was on the 6pm news here in NZ on TV3 putting his hand up for inclusion.
He also said he would need the Breakers blessing and he in no way wanted to impact their brand support and that he thinks two franchises could happily co-exist in NZ and benefit the NBL.
With their NZNBL side already well established he pointed out that it could serve as a pathway along with an academy much like the Breakers.
Also had current Saints Coach Pero Cameron and Saints PG and NZ Breaker Cory Webster making comments in favour with Cory pointing out that even though he plays for the Saints that he's a Breaker through and through.

The Saints had over 4,000 at their NZNBL season opener at home.