Hoops

NBL Chairman says Brisbane Bid is not dead.

"The Netball team wants to leave because of expense."

How does the netball team (Firebirds) afford to play there anyway? I know they don't pay their players much, but apart from player salary, the expenses would be the same for everything else, and they don't have wealthy private owners (im guessing) and tickets to a netball game aren't expensive surely?

Would there be any value in having multiple venues the way Melb & NZ have done? Use the 4-5k stadium for most games while getting established, with occasional showcase games at the bigger one?

Does the same venue management company run both? If you can avoid a monopoly situation it would have to help negotiate better rates for venue hire.

Which Stadium would be closest the Brisbane CBD ? Brisbane Entertainment Cent ?

At least this thread is a bit more encouraging re the NBL for next season. Be nice if the NBL Officals would make statements to update the public on the facts.

Re stadiums it seem inner city venues are al the rage. Adelaide Oval is a classic example. Perth venue is another. Playing right in the city where the people either are, becasue they just finished work etc or becasue all public transport routes go through the city. Inner city also means there are things to do before or after the games so a few hours at he NBL becomes just a part of the night!

Boondal has a large carpark - why do you need public transport to get there, especially for the people coming from the southern/Logan area that would rather drive anyway.

There is a government regulation stating the tennis centre cannot have regular week to week events/games there. Brisbane convention centre is so expensive it's not viable, boondal is too far out with no real public transport other then a train station down the road. I know council have put forward a cheap deal to go to chandler with some refurbs. Once again public transport although I believe that could be overcome from what I heard.

Curious know what exactly the "Stadium Issue" is. There's a few places they could play in Brisbane, surely its not coming down to availability.

Do you ever see the positive side in anything Harry :P

Roy Ward has also tweeted "...Graeme Wade has also told me the NBL now has the IP for the Brisbane Bullets name, issue is now the stadium "

Australian Sudanese refugee has decided to stay at UConn and play next college season after he contemplated nominating for the NBA draft, and then considered turning pro after withdrawing his name.

Link: http://linky.com.au/vc6tu

And a few tid-bits:

Majok, who recently pulled his name out of the NBA draft but was considering a professional career overseas, has informed UConn coach Jim Calhoun that he will, indeed, be a member of the 2009-10 Huskies.

"Education comes first, so I'm going to get my education," Majok said Sunday at the Greater Hartford Pro-Am, breaking his silence after three months. "The decision is for me to get my law degree. It was tough, all the pressure and stuff. Now, it's not about that. It's time for me to get to work on school and the team."