Hoops

Larry Kestleman's plan to save ailing NBL

Yep, I don't understand the "NBL organisation itself is fine" thing either. How, in any way, have they shown they are "fine"?

The organisation may as well have not existed the last few years, and the league probably would've run the same.

It's a joke, let's all be honest here. The media looks at it that way. The general public, if the majority of them even knew it existed, would look at it that way. Even a lot of basketball fans look at it that way.

I almost don't care what the details of this new deal are. What other option is there? Nahhhhh, you're right, let's just keep going the way the league, and it's "fine organisation" are heading.

How can anyone say that the NBL organisation itself is fine? They've at the very least misrepresented themselves with regards to getting a BrisVegas team up and running and I've seen absolutely no growth from them, they're a basket case organisation that all but leave the publicity and marketing and promotion of the league to the clubs... There's been no leadership, just empty promises, and if it wasn't for teams bringing in exciting players like Ennis, Childress, Jackson into the league, they'd have nothing to work with...

Truth be told, the Anon makes a good point that details need to be cleared up, but they're also making assumptions on the deal as well, because none of us actually KNOW the specifics of the deal unless it is made public...

This guy sounds like he's got some sort of plan which sounds a lot better than what the NBL has shown us they've got up their sleeves... One could forgive them for knocking him back last time it was offered, they'd only just taken over and couldn't be blamed for wanting to give it a go themselves, but I haven't seen anything recently that gives me any hope that the people in charge have any clue what they're doing...

The NBL doesn't need saving?

Wow!

Boti was a journo long before he became a 'blogger'. He still is.

I'm struggling to understand what is driving the near-constant stream of anti-Boti agro. If it's coming from a personal base, try looking at the issues instead of who's writing - focus on the message rather than the messenger.

As for the Wade email - if that is what he is putting in writing I'd suggest he stick to the phone - and quickly find someone who can give him good PR/communication advice.

For what it's worth ... the essential role of a journo is to distil and present the truth from the crap with which they are often presented. This means that those who 'have their own agendas' or simply want to confuse or keep people in the dark - think politicians, business leaders, chairmen of boards ... feel free to add to the list as you see fit - don't [and shouldn't] enjoy the professional attentions of good journalists.

As I said ... focus on the message, not the messenger, though sometimes the messenger is a good indication of the value of the message, and when it comes to basketball stories, I see Boti's by-line as a reason to sit up and take notice.

How did the NBL know the Convention Centre was “unavailable” when there is no NBL schedule even out at this stage for any date clashes to be an issue?

How was it “unsuitable” when Queensland Firebirds play ANZ Championship games at the facility and the Brisbane Bullets previously played there for several years?

What was the alleged “expense” when there has been no negotiation re costs with the venue or its administration?

Was blaming the “lack of a suitable venue” an NBL strategy, considering its many public and repeated promises to the people of Brisbane they would have a team this season — even at the league’s own cost? Or just a grave miscalculation based on misinformation?

These are the questions for which we’d all like answers.

Sadly, instead I received this email from the NBL chairman last Friday.

“Mr Nagy

“You called my phone twice this afternoon.

“If you have NBL questions please put them to me in writing and I can deal with them. My generously extensive and responsive phone briefings with you in the past have seemingly lost something in the translation and its (sic) best we don’t waste one another’s time despite mine doubtless being far less valuable than yours.

Graeme Wade

Chairman of the Board

National Basketball League”

I emailed the questions to him on Monday and to this point, there continues to be no response.

Assuming it goes ahead Anonymous. Its still not a certainty.

It could also be the fact that the current rules may prevent an owner of a team , also owning the competition that team plays in.

I too would like to see some change, but Lets say all debts are paid off. So we have the current number of teams all starting from zilch.

They recruit players, which costs them money. They attracts sponsors, etc. I still dont see how this alleviates the core issue. Money. THere isnt enough Money in your Wollongong or Townsville or Adelaide to keep the teams going. THere just isnt. Whether its because there are now 2 teams in AFL Adelaide, a small population base in Townsville or other, they cant generate enough money with the locations they have to make their teams a viable business which is what they have to be to survive.

In 3 years time, we might see Kestleman say 'Well that wasnt so good, Im now 12 million in the hole.. what do I do now.. Keep going?'

And the issue is .. because its a Commercial endeavour to do this, we wont be able to see the fine print or read the contract because its commercially sensitive.

Would Kestlemans deal involve an all-encompassing Merchandise deal? The Wildcats have made a fortune with their own merch the last 3-4 years. Royalties for the League have been unpaid due to making their own gear, just ask Fiddes.

I vaguely remember hearing somewhere in the West that Bendat spent around $8 million in the first few years of owning the Wildcats, and much of that was getting them out of debt which he had inherited.

Could be wrong, it was years ago now.

If its a simple mojority of club votes that get the deal done you would expect Harks and Crocs to vote yes. Melb would vote yes - it's their owners proposal.

So only 2 more required from Adelaide, Syndey, Cairns and Perth.

Reagrdless of what your business model is ( community or privately owned) an offer to wipe out existing debt and then interest free loans to fund development is a fantastic offer. What we can't see is the stings that are attached. They can only be about finacials, as already discusses above, but if Statman is right then there are no losers financially at least for 3 years.
The other string is attached to the furute direction of the league. Everyone has their own view and this is where the ego's could be seen.
I think a financially secure league ( even if only to give breathing space for 3 years) with any direct is much better than a league that has no direction and lurches from one team collapse to another.

I must admit I was pretty annoyed that Channel 7 used the word "ailing" NBL in their news bulletin last night. I cannot remember an NBL story with a positive spin out of the 7 news room for a long, long time. They seem to revile in negative basketball news stories, yet the overwhelming number of stories on the AFL (which they have the broadcast rights for) and positive news stories.

Do they ever say "The Oppressive, trade restrictive AFL"?

Whether the NBL is ailing or not, they must realise the power they have in forming impressions on the public, and on sponsors. Covert digs at the NBL via the use of negative commentary could be construed as being biased and unprofessional.

I look forward to seeing more NBL stories on C7 and those stories being as positive in nature as their stories on the AFL.

I wonder how the Shark Tank would react?

....traditional sports.....

sorry

Interestingly I look at it this way, the sports are both world games (soccer and basketball), they are huge in the juniors and becoming bigger every year while cricket, football, rugby and perhaps netball are traditional here but niche markets on a world stage.

So, if we are talking long term, decades from now, my money is on soccer and basketball. Get the model right and secure them financially here and you will see that they can't lose.

Times are changing, maybe slightly and not as noticeable right now because of all the media hype surrounding our traditional spots, but under the surface I see the future differently...

Thats true Bear however I'm always wary of history finding a way of repeating itself though.

The A-League may be considered one of the big leagues now, and certainly gets plenty of love and admiration, but its definitely not a model I would want the NBL to follow.

The A-League's clubs are bleeding money and eventually it will catch up with them when people stop going to games and ratings drop. Without Lowy and their TV deal, their struggles would be more visible, like the NBL's is now.

BTW I would say the Glory are a basketcase. They are not highly regarded in Perth right now.

Im with Swish there, I dont see any reason Perth would be resisting unless the deal involves Kestleman taking all the profits from the teams and then redistributing it. If thats the case, then its no wonder that the Wildcats are refusing to sign up.

Hell no business would sign up to a deal like that.

If this isnt part of the deal, then yes Perth should definetly stop their resistance and sign up.

Even if that is the case Haz, look at the A-League now and look at Perth Glory now. They are not a basket case at all and the A-League is looking at being one of our top codes in a decade, if they are not already close to this...

I can't see why any club would want to be the leading club in a crap league that just survives year to year, fix the NBL and the clubs will all benefit.

Would it affect the Wildcat's profit?

I took it as any profits made by the LEAGUE would be his, not individual teams?

I think Swish might be on to something here, regards to profits.

Anyway, I could be way off, but its just a thought regarding Perth's apparent stance against it. The Wildcats might be looking at this from a similar point of view to that of the Perth Glory.

Before the A-League started and before Frank Lowy took control of Soccer Australia (changing it to FFA), the Glory were thriving. They were the only NSL club going great. This is kind of similar to how the Wildcats are seen in the NBL today - Going great in a busted up league.

If Kestleman takes control of the NBL, maybe the Wildcats see this as a threat to their success, and will then take a similar dive like the Glory have done - on an off the field.

Its most likely not the case, but thought I'd add that to the mix!

As I read it the deal is for a buy out of the league, not the individual clubs. This would mean that Perth still keep whatever profit they make as a club, the new owner would simply keep any money generated by the league itself. This profit being generated I guess by sponsorship, the sale of media rights and charges levied to the individual clubs to be a part of the league.

Unprofitable clubs are being offered financial support by way of debt write offs and zero interest loans with a vision to when the league itself is profitable this profit being distributed both to the owner and the clubs.

Similar I guess to the AFL, the league itself often helps out the struggling clubs financially while the big clubs like Collingwood are able to generate big profits for themselves.

This will test a few out, it will expose some people as to their true character I predict! I have always thought that the real issue at NBL level has been leadership and cooperation, direction and stability.

Well, here is an opportunity to prove we have a leader in our midst...

Otherwise the NBL potentially risks going down in history as a league run by a bunch of self centred egomaniacs who just can't see the forrest for the trees!

One reason WIldcast might be against it is if the deal is the new league owner takes all profits until year 3 - so he can turn that money back into developing / promoting the league.

based on recent years that would cost Wildcats their million dollar profit each year.

Most of us don't know the details and certainly not the financial details. This offer might bee good for the clubs that are losing money, becasue this guy will put new money in and give them some stability etc but the clubs already making a profit might lose their profit.

What reasons could Perth have for not wanting this to happen ? Surely there is no disadvantages to them or any club if the NBL accepts the offer. I may be a Perth fan but seriously if the Cats are not backing this they should shut up and make a better offer.

If Perth are seriously knocking this back then could we see a counter offer from them where they offer more $?

Dr. Jack isn't short on money either, but would he want to do that?

Hope this goes ahead