Hoops

Second NZ team bid for NBL going ahead

Sharod, the best of those players will play for the Breakers as they probably got them there and are a successful proven franchise with a great reputation.

He owns successful restaurants and property

Dazz, I couldn't agree more.

"This bid, along with Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Tasmania, are contenders for four spots in the league in the 2015-16 season"

WTF, I'm so confused here. Last week we were talking about only having 6 NBL teams and the Brisbane bid being dead. We know Brisbane is still on the cards but now this article is stating that there are still bids in Tas, Melb, Canberra and Wellington pushing for next season.

Either the journo that wrote this article is going by news from 6 months ago ( or wrote it 6 months ago) or the NBL is really good at keeping secrets.

Hoping to get in contact with Bill tomorrow so will let you guys known if he gives me any goss.

Mills seems shut out of the picture and the league seems hell bent on a consortium style bid. The team would have investors from all over the Lower NI and would share games, sponsorship etc.

Personally, I prefer Mills' sole bid. Keep control in one man's hand. Don't get too many fingers in the pie.

I am moving to Taranaki in 2 or so weeks. For people unfamilar with the geographical layout..Wellington is 5 hours drive from Taranaki, Hawkes Bay 4 hours, Palmerston North 2 hours drive. You're talking about a very vast area.

I need to get this off my chest, sorry...

I'd like to see this in the next few years for my vision of a solid and much improved NBL, without being too unrealistic.

CURRENT CLUBS:
Perth Wildcats - To continue their success
Adelaide 36ers - To be financially sound and solid
Melbourne United - To keep building their profile
Cairns Taipans - To build on their current success
Sydney Kings - To make the SSC a hot ticket
NZ Breakers - To keep doing what their doing (off the court)
Townsville Crocs - To return to the TEC as a revamped and renewed club

NEW CLUBS:
South Dragons - To equally rival United
Wellington - Because its a good idea, and will soften the Breakers dominance
Brisbane Bullets - Obviously

Nice rounded 10 team competition.

*Townsville to wipe the slate clean with a brand new ownership and a commitment to righting their wrongs with the community and get back to a level where they have a respectable profile.

*Wollongong to unfortunately go - Of course it will be good if they can manage to stay, but I think their toast as a club and after 35 years they just don't have the popularity or the cash to keep going as their financial issues are forever ongoing. Their fan base, while loyal, has always been way too small. They can be an 11th club if they can stay.

TV:
All games on Fox, many of which are live, with 1 game sold to FTA such as 7mate. NBL to pay for it with sponsors (which they will get) if they can't get a deal.

Got that out of my system. I can go back to dreaming now...

Nick Mills philosophy to an NBL franchise is "it's my money so it has to work, I will do everything I can to make it work because it's my money". This is why he doesn't want to be involved in a part owner/shareholder stake with this other bid as he believes there are too many people involved with not a lot to lose if it flops.

thats just it, none of the current elite players in NZ have any ties to this bid from what I know and most will be loyal to the Breakers, the Blackwells, Vickerman, Henare, Flavell and the rest of the individuals who make the organisation what it is.
If Nick Mills Wellington Saints were the successful franchise then a lot of players have or have had relationships with him and his team already so luring guys may have not been so difficult for him than this franchise who will have to try and buy in talent & promise minutes etc.

The Breakers have developed most of the current talent in NZ through their development academy for young players and are successful on the court in the NBL. Add to the fact they have great Owners and Management to compliment great Coaches & facilities so I can't see a mass exodus of talent from Aucklands North Shore.
They will secure fringe talents and players no longer required by the Breakers (Maybe Jerimiah Truman, Leon Henry, BJ Anthony ) until they have relationships & reputation to draw talent unless they want to go all out & run their own Development Academy which will take time.
This new franchise will have a long road to winning a championship as the Breakers quickly learnt.

Oh and Pauli Henare is the Tall Black Coach now......

My greatest concern is that if teams in the NBL cannot survive under the current model, we are just pissing in the wind, no one wants to cop the spray!

What I like about this:

- For us it emphasises the due diligence we're taking to ensure we've got a model that will last.

What I don't like is this:

- If you look through the history, there's been quite a big turnover of teams in the Australia NBL," he said. "They come and go".

In the end there are always positives in building the NBL and axpanding it by developing a rivalry team that connects with its local community is a bonus for me, it is exactly why we need another Melbourne team, a team from Brisbane and why the Hawks and Crocs need to survive...

NZ has a population less then Sydney so the NBL can't base its survival on two NZ teams.
NZ teams are a little bonus as they bring a bit of variety to our league, but we need strong, stable Aussie teams befor we capture TV audience and truely become mainstream.
We NEED the Bullets and a second Melbourne team!

The Nth Island v Sth Island thing does allow for great rivally and Aussie teams can play both teams inone visit so that will help with their costs. Also makesNZ a nice option for a supporters trip.

Great news. Would make it a stronger Australasian league.

So the NZ Breakers would need a re-brand to become the Auckland Breakers?