Hoops

What could make the NBL more marketable?

Interestingly I had the opportunity to sit next to a parent at a BigV game on the weekend, who was there with a few primary school age kids watching a game they didn't know that much about. (I am refering to the Big V and who was playing etc...)

So, why did they come?

Well, the kid wanted his mates there with him to watch a basketball game because it was his birthday, they had a blast, it was a big game and plenty of people for a Big V game attended. They all sat together and were really close to the action.

But, what was not lost on me was the fact that all the kids play local domestic ball, they love the game and sat there enjoying some birthday food, at half time went off and shot some hoops, then sat and watched the remainder of the game with a great atmosphere and smiles on their faces.

Yes, marketing and leadership are crucial, but for me it all starts with grass roots!

PS: forgot to mention, MLS franchise aspirants are curing up to get a license also. The list of clubs with $500m + franchise cheques written and eady to post the the MLS is staggering.

To Anon above,

The MLS did have a bit of a NBL feel to it about 12 years ago, but heading into its 20th year it is unrecognisable.

The A-League learned a lot form the MLS, but had (in scale adjusted terms) advantages in the TV domain, but disadvantages in terms of the things that hurt fledgling national competitions in Aus - population, stadium costs, overheads and expansion options.

I am not sure the NBL can learn much from th MLS as the NBL's weaknesses correspond with the MLS' strengths - putting aside the mind boggling difference in scale and scope between the two sports.

NBL needs to deal with overheads. Revenues simply will not be forthcoming.

They could start by actually working WITH the media. Some teams are really good with working with their local and national media, like Cairns, Perth (to a degree) and Melbourne. But it always seems like the league is fighting to keep the media away. You have to jump through hoops (no pun) and that's even after you already have a relationship with them. This year has been the obsolete worst!

great post.

The thing with marketing is to create a sense of urgency. The AFL do it perfectly with the AFL constantly in the sports news in both the off and on season, the AFL logo being used by sponsors, and players constantly in the media. (and some former players in the courts....)

I agree, great post.

Perhaps Dazz you should have called the topic of this thread how to make 'basketball' more marketable. Not the NBL. In my many years of attending NBL games, the number one complaint I hear is about the presentation. Not about the rules.

I don't like all the rules FIBA come up with, and I think basketball has probably too many rules. It's a very hard game to referee compared to other sports. But that's an issue with the game - not the league itself. And apart from the NBA, all basketball leagues around the world that follow FIBA have the same issues.

What makes the NBL more marketable should not have anything to do with the actual rules of the game. The rules are there. You can't possibly like every rule, but that's not the problem of the NBL from a marketing point of view.

That's something you need to speak to FIBA about.

For the NBL to be more marketable, I guess they could start by taking themselves more seriously? Its too much of a cheesy "entertainment" package that is neither entertainment, nor is it sport.

While the entertainment is subjective, its probably considered to be quite poor in quality amongst older fans. When was the last time you were truly amazed by the entertainment? I can't say that I have, and I support the biggest and most successful club in the league.

Scale back the music, tell the announcers to shut up, find a balance to keep people entertained, while making the actual game the main event.

Lower ticket and membership prices and advertise this, particularly in markets that are struggling. Avoid giving away hundreds of free tickets that annoy loyal members, and replace this with cheaper tickets. 'Create Fan Appreciation nights' like in the NBA. Engage with the community. The NBL will be a much improved product then, and will come across more marketable.

And maybe the NBL could do with putting out a few more positive press releases, or good news, or any news that puts the league in a positive light, even if its a puff piece. It can't hurt.

What makes the NBL more marketable should not have anything to do with the actual rules of the game. The rules are there. You can't possibly like every rule, but that's not the problem of the NBL from a marketing point of view.

That's something you need to speak to FIBA about.

For the NBL to be more marketable, I guess they could start by taking themselves more seriously? Its too much of a cheesy "entertainment" package that is neither entertainment, nor is it sport.

While the entertainment is subjective, its probably considered to be quite poor in quality amongst older fans. When was the last time you were truly amazed by the entertainment? I can't say that I have, and I support the biggest and most successful club in the league.

Scale back the music, tell the announcers to shut up, find a balance to keep people entertained, while making the actual game the main event.

Lower ticket and membership prices and advertise this, particularly in markets that are struggling. Avoid giving away hundreds of free tickets that annoy loyal members, and replace this with cheaper tickets. 'Create Fan Appreciation nights' like in the NBA. Engage with the community. The NBL will be a much improved product then, and will come across more marketable.

And maybe the NBL could do with putting out a few more positive press releases, or good news, or any news that puts the league in a positive light, even if its a puff piece. It can't hurt.

A web site that looks like it was created this side of the year 2000 would be a good start!

Both the NBL and BA sites are utter shite!

Hate the arrow with a passion.

Have other teams on FTA apart from Sydney every second week to generate some interest in other teams-- I know, That's where the population is, but give other teams a go and they can show their skills and increase ratings & support as Port Power have done in that other game with a ball

I don't mind the idea of an Asian champions league type thing. Winning teams across the major Asian leagues play off for some Asian/pacific title or something. I think NBL should simply follow some things Soccer did in this country. As much as I hate saying it but Gaze might be correct, have a year off and completely restructure the league. Need a team in every major capital city at least. So much work to be done.

actually marketing it might help.....

having a TV partner that gives 2 shits might help too...

Better uniforms & merchandise.
Shots from behind halfway are worth 5 points.