Hoops

A second team from New Zealand?

No matter which was the league goes into the future, it would be great for the NZ public to know they can get a rivalry game and a local game every week!

Sorry to break it to you Mystro but the Breakers were funded by the government.

Wellington would support an NBL team imo, especially if it was a brand they already recognise like the Saints.

The criteria for funding from HPSNZ is absolutely laughable.

But if the government doesn't support them how will all those rich kids get the ... money ... wait

Here in NZ we prefer to support rich kids sailing against other rich kids or massive global sports like rowing rather than waste $ on minority sports like Basketball ;)

Thanks for that Macdub

@Bear, terrible mismanagement unfortunately.

Check this classic example.

Waikato put in place a 3 or so year plan.

In 2013, the Waikato Pistons went with a young and inexperienced side. They won a few games, and their local players got great exposure and experience.

In 2014, they went outside of their "pre-agreed plan" and went headhunting stud imports and locals. They went out and got Akeem Wright, Corin Henry, Casey Frank, Zac Carter and they had Pledger and Abercrombie contracted (Pledge was injured and Abercrombie was in France).

Following the 2014 season, they pulled out of the league for financial reasons.

Mills' was rightfully upset. It was terrible management. They had a sustainable plan in place and one which was going to develop local talent.

They got greedy, overspent and now they don't even have a team.

So now they're in a position where a) they're not only going to not win a title next season but b) they're also not doing anything to develop local talent.

So now its a loss-loss situation.

Hey Dazz, good topic. I"ll shed some light on the scenario for you.

The Wellington bid was really stepping up late 2013 - early 2014.

Nick Mills, the current Saints owner and very successful businessmen (who has owned the Saints for 30 odd years whilst other NZNBL teams have come and gone) was approached regarding the bid.

He had a very detailed business plan and wanted it to be him, his Saints and the NBL (no one else). Personally, I was in agreement with this. Mills' has had vast experience in owning and controlling a successful basketball franchise. On the court and off the court, the franchise has done exceptionally well.

However, as I understand the NBL were keen to share games around the lower central island and run the organisation through a consortium.

Mills turned around and rightfully so said that he didn't want to run it with others..he had created a very strong franchise and felt a consortium would not work.

If Wellington wants to have an NBL team, Mills needs to be aboard and he needs to have substantial, if not total control for the franchise to operate successfully.

"They also appear to have a thriving local league, with 10 teams in their NBL."

It isn't thriving, There is currently no team from Central Auckland or the North Shore (Auckland's only team is the SuperCity Rangers from West Auckland) and no Waikato team.
Quite a few other clubs are hanging on by a thread.

Would definitely like to see a second team from NZ step up.