Hoops

Illawarra Hawks ownership collapses

Thunder Jam i bet you also think the Corona Virus is a chinese conspiracy for world domination?
LK wants all clubs to have a sustainable model & i doubt he's worried about whether they are 'regional' or not.
I heard he was rapped for the Taipans & their great year - why wouldn't he be?

LK just wants a strong competitive competition, which he has certainly achieved so far. He does not care where they come from as long as they are viable.
Smith did not want to buy hawks just 25% share. It’s probably smart not let him have it as if he starts to struggle financially it’s two sides that are in trouble.
The world of sport has changed in the last few months so no one really knows what is going to happen.
I believe that the Ball consortium are interested in buying a share of the new ownership group.

A 2nd team in Adelaide wouldn't work but one in Perth might?

Moller might have a point to prove after being so good till injury only to be replaced by Cooks who’s father is assistant at Illawarra. Lot kings long time fans not happy how that played out as Moller very popular and has game and the win loss ratio was much better with Moller playing. Cooks must have been paid big coin to join kings.

Well said chillbaby!

Hawks were screwed hard with the draw with so many MONDAY games. Great for TV, but tough to draw big crowds, no matter which city you're in.

Throw in to that mix that local IBA Snakepit competition runs their U/14 comp (a large chunk of the Hawks child and parent fan base) on a Monday night, was another spanner in the mix.

I'm always optimistic & I feel really comfortable, even in these uncertain economic times, of the Hawks new owners & directions moving forward!

Whilst not a 'depth chart' as such, I think Todd may move on, but where else in the league would he be a starter? I think Emmett may move too, seeking more playing time, but will he get more anywhere else in the league?

With Dech & Glover signed, that's a good local combo of guards, just NAIL the big money gun import at the point.

Assuming AJ stays, he & Sam can split time at the 5 & maybe Sam can play a bit more 4?

Tim would be a great back end of the rotation guy as he gets closer & closer with father time, meaning we need to stock up at the 3 & 4.

I'd be going after DJ Newbill at the 3 & trying to pry Moller at the 4 like a few people above have mentioned.

I'd your starting line up was a
STAR IMPORT 1
Dech or Glover
Newbill
Moller
AJ

That's 5 guys that play hard D & athleticism wise, AJ maybe not so athletic, but the other guys CAN move!

Let's see how it all plays out : )

Re; "Red army would be jealous we Melbournians have more space."

Perth fan's response: "Yeah, I know we're the champs BUT have you seen all those Melb fans? They have so much room to lose in! Lucky bastartds!"

The Freo Ferals or Freo F&%&tards maybe?

The Phoenix is perfect timing & give them a chance to grow! Supply & demand with seating as you mentioned anon makes a 2nd Prth team a no-brainer. The Fremantle Ferals has a noice ribg to it??

Commenting as a sponsor of the Hawks (as well as other NBL sides) who lives in Sydney. The Hawks were behind the 8-ball all year. I dispute the "poor management" rhetoric - poor ownership which hamstrung every facet of the club maybe but the Hawks full-time office staff - all SIX of them - worked their butts off to ensure games proceeded. Started season reasonably competitive but injuries and financial constraints got worse as the season went on (as it did with other teams). When the Hawks fans (Hawkheads) are on the atmosphere in the WEC is as good as any in the country - I've been to pretty much every stadium the NBL has played in since inception. Early season with, from memory, 4 consecutive Monday night games is not conducive to attending - I love the game yet getting home after midnight meant I didn't attend - as well as other Mondays and Thursdays during the season. The whole region was also heavily affected by the bushfires with people physically being unable to attend and the heavy smoke in the air situation - which if you didn't experience it was terrible - also putting many off attending. There was one game in particular where we tried to get there but with all the southbound road closures and terrible air quality ended up turning around. I feel for the Hawks, staff and fans - so many negative situations this year and in the end it probably reflected on the court. Even the abandoned game at the WEC conspired against them. No excuses but I was at that game and had never seen such heavy rain - it was like a typhoon - just such a shame it was the Hawks. All the best to everyone during these tough times - in particular the Hawks fans and staff and the NBL communities

It’s tassie, Wellington, Canberra,
Geelong,Newcastle, Gold Coast

Need them all back! Newcastle, Canberra, Hobart (on it's way). Illawarra made a mistake letting Bevo walk & the product was shitye last season. A 2nd team in Adelaide wouldn't work but one in Perth might? Would be nice to get it to 12 teams & that's where LK was headed. This Kung Flu hasn't helped. Would hate to see Hawks fold!

Why do people think Wildcats fans would suddenly support a new team?

The Illawarra Mercury is reporting in Wednesday's edition that Kings owner has already had his bid to buy the Hawks rejected previously.

I'm hearing Kings owner Paul Smith was on Win news the Illawarra local news and is open to given the Hawks a hand in terms of financial or advisory.

Canberra team would be in same boat in a couple of years. What city would be a viable long term answer? Why not another Adelaide team while we're at it. A lot of fans disillusioned with Sixers, they can play at the Arena, kids free to boost the crowds. Sponsorship would be tough, but Sixers have been used to being the only team in town and are pathetic in marketing, social media etc.

Maybe Canberra-Illawarra Hawks.

Anon wants LK to build them a free stadium on free land and rent it out at subsidised rates.

WTF.

It is the mentality of Hawks fans. When I was there for the 2010 Grand Final the non-casuals who looked like the diehards all admitted unashamedly to being band wagoners who, despite being supporters of the club throughout the season and years, weren't interested in attending regular season games. What can you do?

Exactly....people are holding on because foundation club when the vast majority of Hawks 'fans' DGAF. They won't even attend home games where the next #1 draft pick is playing. Their fans are trash to talk the talk and refuse to walk the walk.

At least in Adelaide, despite the average product on the court and in the results, we actually increased our attendance.

The Hawks set such a low benchmark and consistently manage to stay low.

Let them die.

They had the biggest drawcard in the league and couldn't make much of it. And yes, Ball was a massive drawcard by every metric (except Illawarra crowds).

Can’t see to many clubs being able to afford three imports, if salary cap does come in how do clubs like Melbourne get under it when they got McCarron, Prather, Illi, Lucual already on their books. There is 1.5 million there already, Perth also be in trouble, Cotton, Kay on big bucks.

NBL season normally goes from October to February. It's possible that crowds will be back by the this time?

Illawarra community don't really support the team, it seems.

They had the biggest drawcard in the league and couldn't make much of it. And yes, Ball was a massive drawcard by every metric (except Illawarra crowds).

If you looked at the top regular season crowd number for just about every stadium it involved Illawarra. So that's actual bums on seats. They got the Facebook Watch deal and they got the social media followers.

Import / Naar
Dech / Glover / Vasljevic
import / Blanchfield
Import / Moller / Froling
Ogilvy / Salt

Lovebroker,
I don't follow or support the Hawks, but to say that management couldn't keep things going for 29 days after their comments is a bit rich in the current circumstances.................
There will be many other organisations/clubs in all sports in the same boat unfortunately.

"I think it helps having that extra finals spot available, keeps things competitive for longer perhaps and may help draw those crowds in."

Top 2 did not change after round 7. Top 3 did not change after round 15.

Positions 4-6 were a competition among 3 teams after round 15, and that went almost to the last game of the season to decide 4th place. Allowing 5th placed team to play finals would not have made that any more competitive nor increased crowds for those 3 teams.

Crowds for Adelaide, the 7th placed team remained strong right to the last round too.

And they include a player who's going to be out injured for the entire season.

Illawarra juniors is strong, always had good lot junior talent. It’s has more money in the community now but is still more working class. The Wollongong entertainment centre is a reasonable basketball venue with a lot draw backs, no parking, overpriced and poor food ,overpriced venue to rent, though most clubs probably get ripped off . Beautiful beaches in summer time as well for free.

They can put a reasonable side together, not certain why no Naar unless he’s got a better offer elsewhere. He has limitations but offers a bit. I can’t see Moller going there unless Naar there as both Sydney boys high guys. As a nsw supporter I have followed both clubs and thought Moller offered more than Cook last season. You would think Blanchfield would be in the side as well though they might be have to many guards/ threes so let him go and keep the younger players.

Campbell has done well under the circumstances and a bit more back up in the coaching ranks would be useful.

Import Naar
Dech Glover,
Moller Grida
Import S Froling
Ogilvy H Froling

I think it helps having that extra finals spot available, keeps things competitive for longer perhaps and may help draw those crowds in.

People say it rewards mediocrity but it really doesn’t the NBL has been so even.

Club will back Grida, even if not ready for the start of the season.

Is there any potential in the Illawarra market?

Not much point constantly saving a side if it’s going to struggle going into the future.

It isn’t ideal to lose teams though. Is there capacity for two NSW sides?

What's a contract nowadays....
Blanchfield will look to move on.
Club will back Grida, even if not ready for the start of the season.
Moller may pounce on the opportunity to be a starter instead of 10th man with the big brother up the road.

IMPORT 1-2
Dech/Glover
Import/ Grida

And yet I get an email from the NBL selling god damn Looney Tunes singlets. It doesn’t make sense.

If players with contracts are asked to take pay cuts, you would think they will become free agents. Could be a lot more players available.

Moller contract was an option, wasn’t it ? He’s a 3/4 more than a straight four. It’s a strange one considering he could not get back in side after injury.

Hawks will be fine now previous owner seems to have been driven out.

Campbell quit or got moved on?

Listen to the recent Shawn Dennis interview on AussieHoopla for some perspective on "They would have been better doing the Cairns route and getting younger imports invested in improving their stock for their next gig. "

I'm pretty optimistic about the Hawks line up in NBL20-21

Think

IMPORT 1-2
Dech/Glover
Import/ Grida
Moller/ Coenraad
AJ/Froling


Nail those 2 imports & that's a competitive unit!

If Brooks doesn't go down so early, who knows.

But I thought that the whole lamelo thing meant that the Hawks were rolling in money? That's what everyone kept telling me.

It's almost as if basing your team around a guy who isn't ready to play big minutes in a winning team isn't the way the build a side that locals will want to come and watch. Strange.

If Brooks doesn't go down so early, who knows. Would have hoped Boone was mega cheap but he missed a lot as well. They would have been better doing the Cairns route and getting younger imports invested in improving their stock for their next gig. A few bright signs in a couple of youngsters, but bad decisions by management.
Things don't look good after the world awakens from corona for most clubs, this would be sad.

LaMelo packed them in every where, hawks were bad but with out him were putrid. He did his job very well. Maybe you should go back to watching nrl where iq is not requisite.

'All sponsors pulled out, every one was quitting, walking, the existing owner had nothing left and was asking for a fortune to sell. I'd say job done, bring on the new owners, I’m hearing there is American money involved. It will be interesting to see how the covid 19 plays out now with the world shut down. Campbell was doing ok'

100% on the BALL!

Love broker is the 10% that make you switch off from the forum for a week or two

Tough times ahead for Newcastle.

Hawks must survive. Great tradition
Grass roots basketball-need to hold onto the tradition otherwise lose history.
Hawkers fly as one. Character and pressure built diamonds. May the force be with Newcastle. Tough times but that's brings the best.

Need an arena though = more $$$ for potential investor.

All sponsors pulled out, every one was quitting, walking, the existing owner had nothing left and was asking for a fortune to sell. I’d say job done, bring on the new owners, I’m hearing there is American money involved. It will be interesting to see how the covid 19 plays out now with the world shut down. Campbell was doing ok, yes the WEC does have to fix the roof but other than that it’s as good a venue as Cairns, Adelaide or even Brisbane.

^^^

True, it's not like the world has changed at all in the past 29 days.

They're going to come out of this better off with a much smarter & greater ownership group running the show from top down.

Have faith.