Hoops

Memorial drive upgrade not big enough?

It is a half-arsed proposal for a 6,000 seat open air stadia for a sport that has been culturally dead in this state for 20 years.

Sixers would easily get 8-10k to basketball games on the fringes of the city merely by the “Adelaide Oval effect”. Findon is a nowhere spot without public transport, dinner or cultural facilities that other than basketball fanatics no one wants to go to. Just the same as West Lakes for football (even though public transport was provided, it was still an horrific location).

The amount of seats is governed by the small space it will be built on I guess. Not much room squished in between the river/road and the oval on a bend.

I think the location of memorial drive has the opportunity to pull more casual fans. For instance i dont attend as many 6ers games as i like living in the north east as its a 40 minute commute. Also the propotion of heading to a bar after a game in the city would be huge

Okay maybe it was the game against Noarlunga because it wasn't a muck around game against the Crows.

I was living with our dad and my brother with our mum at the time and a lady that used come and babysit took him to a 36ers game at the entertainment centre and he must've been mistaken in thinking Noarlunga was another NBL team.

Zodiac, the 36ers have never played an NBL game at the Entertainment Centre. One charity game against the Crows which the Crows and State Government funded.

I'm all for basketball getting some help or whatever but what would be the reasoning or justification for the Sixers needing to move to a larger venue?

Adelaide Arena holds 8,000 and I don't think they've come that close to a sell out this season. If you were selling out every home game consistently maybe that consider the somewhat crazy idea of leaving a purpose built basketball venue but otherwise?

Plus if the Sixers did sell out games, which they don't they could always go back to playing games at the Entertainment Centre. I've never really understood why the 36ers would be interested in playing at a revamped multi-purpose Memorial Drive facility.

6ers could quite easily pull 10k in school holidays. 6000 seats for most sports isnt enough imo.

6000 is useless for Basketball when we've got a purpose built stadium that fits (and is currently filling) more punters. If it was 8-10k then I imagine it'd be perfect for a marquee match or two per season and could be widely marketed to pull in the casual supporter.

Adelaide’s population is what, 1.3 million or so? Demographics weighted towards over 65s, smaller taxpaying base (20- 65 year olds) than east coast capitals and Perth, few really big employers, etc. Hard to justify a bigger facility for sports and entertainment.

Perhaps the 36ers have indicated they wouldn't move? If the 36ers owners own their stadium, they'd be seriously devaluing it if they pulled the major tenant?

Otherwise, yes, it seems limiting. If basketball is getting 7000 now, you'd think 8000-10000 is realistic in the city.

Is it just Tennis SA though? This sounds more like the state government and city council in their ongoing crusade to have all major events happen in or around the city centre.

6,000 would be an upgrade on the netball stadium's 3,000 capacity.....but its still smaller than the 8,000 seat TSA and the 10,300 seat Entertainment Centre.

Tennis SA are living in LA LA land if they think basketball and netball will benefit from a venue that size.

I like to see every team with 2 imports as it GENERALLY means more exciting bball....so whats the word on the hawks and gold coast?? are they going to actually sign anyone?? heard rumors from both team (wormley/de leon) but think they could both use an another import if they wanna challenge this year