View Full Version : Tigers pull out of "new" NBL
Full story @ ABC news: http://bit.ly/Jk7Up
Tigers join NBL exodus
The Melbourne Tigers have pulled out of Basketball Australia's proposed new national league.
The club's chief executive Seamus McPeake says the league needs to have a one-year break in order to get the structure right for a new competition.
The other Melbourne-based side, the NBL champion South Dragons, pulled out of the new league last week.
The Tigers' decision leaves the new competition without a side in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne.
"We don't see it being sustainable," McPeake said.
"We believe it's in the best interest of the sport to sit out for this year and get this set up properly, get the reform completed, get the proper governance in place and the commerciality of the sport....
Rest of the article is at the above link.
Thoughts? This doesn't bode well and is somewhat embarrassing for the sport in Australia as a whole..
And the NBL responds:
Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock has released a statement in response to the Melbourne Tigers’ announcement that they would not be pursuing a place in the National Basketball League for season 2009/10.
“The Melbourne Tigers confirmed today that, following a meeting of their shareholders this morning, they had decided not to play in season 2009/10,” said Sengstock. “This decision is not overly surprising in the wake of Seamus McPeake’s comments over the weekend. It is nonetheless extremely disappointing that the Tigers and South Dragons have chosen to sit out of the competition for a season when both teams have long been strident opponents to the concept of the league taking any sort of extended hiatus before launching the new competition.
“This sudden reversal of stance on their part however does not change our position in terms of the immediate steps we need to take,” Sengstock added. “The other clubs have until 5PM today to submit their signed license agreements for the 2009/10 season. Once the Board has assessed the responses received overnight, we will as previously advised outline the future of the league at our scheduled media conference at midday, including providing full details of the entire Expression of Interest process.”
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=77948
One united competition
11-05-09, 17:32
This is part of another article doing the rounds. I think the entire situation qith the NBL is far from sorted. lets just sit on out hands and wait for the big picture to emerge. I sure do hope there is one.
THE Melbourne Tigers Basketball Club made it official today when it announced it would not be part of Basketball Australia's proposed new-NBL program for 2009-10.
BA chief executive Larry Sengstock has called a press conference tomorrow in Sydney where he most likely will announce the new league will not go ahead until 2010 with the likelihood an interim competition involving NBL, SEABL and QABL club will fill the summer breach.
Friday's shock withdrawal by reigning NBL champion South Dragons was followed by Melbourne Tigers' minority shareholder Seamus McPeake revealing his club too would abandon the national competition.
That decision was confirmed this morning.
"The NBL model that has been presented for the 2009-10 season is clearly unsustainable and therefore can not be a part of the proposed structure for the best interest of the club," McPeake said.
"The Tigers have a rich heritage and strong business that will be continuing, and we believe there is a bright future for the club within the sport in Australia.
"We are looking forward to the reform process being finalised in full and subsequently delivered in the best interest of all stakeholders."
The decisions by Dragon and Tiger ownerships to quit the new-NBL further reflects on the direction basketball needs to go – away from private ownership and back toward association and grassroots support-based teams.
Interesting part
11-05-09, 17:40
[BA chief executive Larry Sengstock has called a press conference tomorrow in Sydney where he most likely will announce the new league will not go ahead until 2010 with the likelihood an interim competition involving NBL, SEABL and QABL club will fill the summer breach.
Thi is the part I think most people are glossing over. What teams would come from SEABL and what from QBL.
I am thinking maybe from QABL & SEABL:
Cairns no as current NBL type structure. In as NBL team not QABL.
Townsville same as cairns.
Mackay no cost with flights an issue
Rocky yes possible. Flights may be an issue.
Brisbane a definate chance.
Gold Coast same as Cairns and Townsville.
Hobart a yes. Big place to draw support from
Geeliong a very big naybe.
Knox a huge chance. Possibly most likely.
Kilsyth a real chance. If Hugh was there I am sure they would consider.
Brisbane Spartans a chance. They have the team at present.
Bendigo a real chance to jump to big league.
Can not really see any other clubs considering the jump into the interim competition.
Unregistered
11-05-09, 17:45
Full story @ ABC news: http://bit.ly/Jk7Up
Rest of the article is at the above link.
Thoughts? This doesn't bode well and is somewhat embarrassing for the sport in Australia as a whole..
Not really mate. Sad...true. But not so embarrasing as lurching on as the train wreck it was, more fall overs and grief after another season and the broadcasters and public wipe the sport for good. Would actually show the sport is acting responsibly by not having people making promises they have no way of keeping and careering along to disaster. Can be sure with the heat taken out of it some clear thinking will ensue and the revamped product will truly be revamped and sustainable for the future.
Sad I know but there could be some benefits we havent realised yet if you think about it.
Unregistered
11-05-09, 20:54
Not really mate. Sad...true. But not so embarrasing as lurching on as the train wreck it was, more fall overs and grief after another season and the broadcasters and public wipe the sport for good. Would actually show the sport is acting responsibly by not having people making promises they have no way of keeping and careering along to disaster. Can be sure with the heat taken out of it some clear thinking will ensue and the revamped product will truly be revamped and sustainable for the future.
Sad I know but there could be some benefits we havent realised yet if you think about it.
You would think with the new free to air ONE HD it would be easy to get a contract with them to air ALL the Basketball games not just one a week which killed basketball. We are out here we want to watch. Just look at our junior programs kids are still playing. Get the big sponsors on Tv make it affordable for famlies to go to live games with great extra entertainment ontop of the game(BRING BACK THE CHEERLEEDERS). Get our basketball heros out their and known. My kids did the bullet 2 day camp they loved it, basketball is in their blood now. Build up more merchandise into our sports store that offer nothing at present. DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN OR WE WON'T RECOVER. Also look at our junior talent spot out the new and up and coming and get them trained up ready for NBL.
Unregistered
12-05-09, 01:57
Any truth to Boti's report that the Spartans may be joining the new league if it still goes ahead without Victorian representation??
BOTI NAGY
May 11, 2009 11:30pm
THE Adelaide 36ers will be part of any new men's national basketball league competition which, contrary to widespread speculation, is still alive.
Basketball Australia chief executive officer Larry Sengstock today was expected to announce the new-NBL would go on hold until a mid-year tip-off next year, with a possible "interim" semi-professional season active over this summer.
That followed in the wake of Melbourne Tigers withdrawing from the proposed new-NBL yesterday, leaving the competition without a Melbourne-based team after the NBL champion South Dragons withdrew on Friday.
But yesterday when the final deadline for expressions of interest closed at 5pm, six clubs had put up their hands to go forward with an October season, with Adelaide's seven-member working consortium invited to join the competition.
"We're prepared to go with a seven-team league and without a Melbourne presence, if that's the way it has to be," a spokesman for the owners said.
Perth, New Zealand, Wollongong, Cairns, Townsville and Gold Coast yesterday reiterated their intention to be part of a new competition.
Previously, Sengstock and BA have said less than eight teams and no presence in Melbourne would not make the league viable but owners are adamant the new competition should tip off in October.
Adelaide's SOS - "Save Our Sixers" - consortium met yesterday and agreed to be part of an eight-team competition if the Tigers retained their position. But in the volatile landscape which is basketball today, SOS was contacted by team owners asking if their team still would be "good to go" without the Tigers?
That came in the wake of consortium personnel meeting with existing 36ers players yesterday to inform them a league would not go ahead in October.
"It's been an amazing day," a spokesman for SOS said last night.
"Late today we were approached by owners of the six clubs who are ready to play and asked if we could suit a team in October.
"We believe in principle we can and we will be represented at an owners' meeting on Wednesday."
SOS, however, does not yet have the approval of 36ers owner Mal Hemmerling - away on holidays - for a transfer of his existing licence.
BA and Jeff Van Groningen, who is acting on Hemmerling's behalf, have already approved the transfer in principle. But it still requires Hemmerling's final seal.
While the new-NBL's obituary is being written across Australia, last night the bid to keep the elite men's competition alive was gaining serious momentum. The Brisbane Spartans, unbeaten leaders of the second-tier SEABL competition, are also being sounded out as a possible addition to a new league.
"There is a hell of a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff going on at present and the reality is owners of existing clubs who have reiterated their expressions of interest want the competition to go ahead," the SOS spokesman said. "Their attitude is that if teams from Melbourne don't want to be involved at this time, then so be it.
"They can pay $1 million for a licence in a year's time.
"They don't want to go without Victorian representation but they won't be held to ransom either."
Unregistered
12-05-09, 08:34
Any truth to Boti's report that the Spartans may be joining the new league if it still goes ahead without Victorian representation??
Where would Spartans get the $1 million surety? Be good if they can.
The article on this link makes some good points. Tough pills to swallow but probably pretty valid. Perhaps a season off and necessity being the mother of invention we may see some players making themselves available to promote the sport in the community again? Having worked in the sports industry ask anyone how difficult it is/was to ring Clacka or Jeff and get a player or two to make an appearance at a camp or sign on day. With the realisation that there's no salary and exalted status without a market to support it and players and staff needing to 'add value' to their franchise and the sport (not just themselves) it could just be the boost basketball has needed for some time in getting the game out to the community again.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25463532-5001023,00.html
Interim League
12-05-09, 08:49
Where would Spartans get the $1 million surety? Be good if they can.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25463532-5001023,00.html
Spartans would not be able to raise the million either. What they are being asked to do is play against the big boys over this cancelled NBL season. What is hoped is that by playing that people are attracted to getting involved in establishing a true NBL program.
The Spartans know that would not be them but at least those trying hard to get the program up and running would be able to use this time to get established.
The next NBL program in Brisbane needs to be run by business people with Association supporting through a structure that gives no one more influence then the next. They are there we just need to show them we are willing to support a national competition.
Spartans would need all Associations to support them with resources and players if they went into the proposed competition. Is the Brisbane basketball community serious or not about getting an NBL team back. Time will tell.
Unregistered
12-05-09, 10:58
Not really mate. Sad...true. But not so embarrasing as lurching on as the train wreck it was, more fall overs and grief after another season and the broadcasters and public wipe the sport for good. Would actually show the sport is acting responsibly by not having people making promises they have no way of keeping and careering along to disaster. Can be sure with the heat taken out of it some clear thinking will ensue and the revamped product will truly be revamped and sustainable for the future.
Sad I know but there could be some benefits we havent realised yet if you think about it.
You know with everything that is happening with the NBL half the population wouldn't have a clue becauce nothing is metioned on channels 7 9 or 10 the most watched channel in Australa its only through these links you find out about it, the only sports they care about it football and cricket even in their off season.
Unregistered
12-05-09, 13:12
You know with everything that is happening with the NBL half the population wouldn't have a clue becauce nothing is metioned on channels 7 9 or 10 the most watched channel in Australa its only through these links you find out about it, the only sports they care about it football and cricket even in their off season.
NBL GOING AHEAD WITH 7 TEAMS! FOX SPORTS NEWS
Unregistered
12-05-09, 13:17
NBL GOING AHEAD WITH 7 TEAMS! FOX SPORTS NEWS
NBL comp to be seven teams
May 12, 2009
Basketball Australia (BA) says it plans to go ahead with a seven-team National Basketball League competition this year.
There had been speculation the revamped league would be postponed until next year after both Melbourne clubs, the Tigers and South Dragons, withdrew over the past four days.
But BA are sticking to their guns and say they hope to launch the competition with seven teams – Adelaide, Perth, Townsville, Cairns, Wollongong, New Zealand and the Gold Coast.
That means there are no teams in the major markets of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
But BA said it was confident it could add teams from those centres from 2010.
More to come
AAP
I WONDER IF TIGERS AND DRAGON WILL RECONSIDER?
Considering this doesn't address the concerns mentioned by the Melbourne teams (televised games etc), I doubt it.
Superleague anyone?
Unregistered
12-05-09, 13:34
Considering this doesn't address the concerns mentioned by the Melbourne teams (televised games etc), I doubt it.
Superleague anyone?
Go for it...and go broke completely.
maybe with this announcement Channel 10 HD will pick it up as they are showing everything else and it is a Sports dedicated channel so surely BA can work out something with them..
Unregistered
12-05-09, 13:59
Considering this doesn't address the concerns mentioned by the Melbourne teams (televised games etc), I doubt it.
Superleague anyone?
Why do you think the 7 other teams have no concerns?
Also to all players and up and coming to make basketball work you must be willing to make public appearance it not just basketball they brings people to games its the players you need to get your name out their people want to know who you are, you are the merchandise. If people feel they don't know you they don't bother. Even now famous NBA stars go out no matter how big they are.
GET OUR SPORT ON FREE TV !!!!!!!IT WILL SELL ITSELF
Unregistered
12-05-09, 14:05
Go for it...and go broke completely.
IF WE LET IT GO NOW IT WON'T TAKE 12 MONTHS IT WILL TAKE MANY YEARS TO GET IT BACK.
LET THIS BE A BIG WARNING EVERYONE GET BEHIND BASKETBALL NOW BEFORE IT TO LATE!
I WOULD GO FOR BROKE AND GET EVERYONES ASSES OFF THEIR CHAIRS. AND STOP TWIDDLING YOUR THUMBS.
STOP TALKING ABOUT IT AND GET OUT AND DO IT!!!
Unregistered
12-05-09, 14:58
both the melbourne clubs must be shitting themselves right now with larry saying the comp will go ahead with 7 teams and with the possible inclusion of another team from melbourne either this year or next. and according to larry there is no guarantee that the tigers or dragons will be abole to join again in the future.
see ya tigers/dragons, hello spectres/cats/saints :D
Unregistered
12-05-09, 15:53
Why do you think the 7 other teams have no concerns?
Also to all players and up and coming to make basketball work you must be willing to make public appearance it not just basketball they brings people to games its the players you need to get your name out their people want to know who you are, you are the merchandise. If people feel they don't know you they don't bother. Even now famous NBA stars go out no matter how big they are.
GET OUR SPORT ON FREE TV !!!!!!!IT WILL SELL ITSELF
Players and teams should look at it this way you get paid for the stuff you do off the court and playing infront of fans is just an extra bonus .
Unregistered
12-05-09, 16:44
Considering this doesn't address the concerns mentioned by the Melbourne teams (televised games etc), I doubt it.
Superleague anyone?
My guess its back fired on them thinking everyone else would follow.
Unregistered
12-05-09, 17:25
My guess its back fired on them thinking everyone else would follow.
Yeh its a hard one. Admittedly the previous structure and culture of the NBL with it being essentially run by the Owners and all with their private agendas saw the League burn to the ground. A change is definately needed. Realistically but i find it hard to imagine, if I was an Owner and putting a cool $Mil of my dough into a surety then forking out a couple of million more for the season that I'd want all major decisions being made by association staff and BA staff. (Larry excluded-but he's one person in a fairly entrenched bueracracy).
Just not sure I'd have the confidence in say a [deleted] from QLD or [deleted] from BA type administrator to be making the best decisions affecting my considerable investement. (Nothing personal, they simply arent equipped for the job in todays market by ability acumen or experience)
My guess is the owners will sit back and see just how clean Larry's new broom sweeps, assess the quality of the administration Larry gathers around him and what changes are made at association level around the country to see what degree of acumen and quality emerges before deciding whether to spend their money again.
Unregistered
12-05-09, 17:32
both the melbourne clubs must be shitting themselves right now with larry saying the comp will go ahead with 7 teams and with the possible inclusion of another team from melbourne either this year or next. and according to larry there is no guarantee that the tigers or dragons will be abole to join again in the future.
see ya tigers/dragons, hello spectres/cats/saints :D
The Tigers and Dragons were just trying to throw their weight around. They think if they're not in it, there's no comp at all. Now Larry & co are playing hard-nose back at them. I highly doubt if the Tigers and Dragons submitted license forms tonight, they would be knocked back from entering the league.
Bring on a aba club stepping up. Maybe Kilsyth or Spartans.
The Tigers and Dragons were just trying to throw their weight around. They think if they're not in it, there's no comp at all. Now Larry & co are playing hard-nose back at them. I highly doubt if the Tigers and Dragons submitted license forms tonight, they would be knocked back from entering the league.
Bring on a aba club stepping up. Maybe Kilsyth or Spartans.
I think the reality of the situation is that Knox or a BIGV Consortium will be the team out of Melbourne. In Queensland it will be the BQ driven team. Spartans do not have the resources nor desire to be part of the NBL. The SEABL is the limit for them unless a man with deep pockets walked through the door and ran it.
Melbourne Tigers most likely will join the SEABL structure with Dragons fading into history.
A ten team competition is all that the Australian basketball community can carry and the teams will come from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne through time.
The structure below will change dramatically now with the new NBL season from 2010.
What we understand to be our seasons etc now is about to be thrown up in the air and we all better get used to paying senior basketball from February or accept that we must have imports in our game rather then Aussies due to the new seasons requirements that the NBL restructure will impose on us.
Not saying anything is bad just we all need to understand that times have changed and the reality is that we will change or be the change.
Unregistered
13-05-09, 21:29
Gees! and I thought I didnt like the Vics!
Bit of Sth Australian bias for ya'...
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25467290-5006371,00.html
Seven is not the number that will play. Contrary to popular and mis-guided beliefs at least one maybe 3 more teams will play in the new season.
Knox with Dandenong and maybe Kilsyth will be one of the teams.
Hobart a real chance.
And yes a Brisbane based team if people start working together.
These three teams would not be gauranteed a final spot in the NBL restructure but as long as they were competitive they would assist the NBL recovery.
If Hobart could get the team together and prove they are structured enough with sound business backing they could sneak back into the NBL. Brisbane like wise. Why wait the extra season ad have to pay $1,000,000. A season could be done for approx $750,000 if one was serious. Remember tha the salary for players just plummetted. Only so may spots for players to play.
If Brisbane Spartans played or another group from Brisbane how many players running around currently and interstate woudl be wiling to have a go for very little to just get a chance of being part of what may happen the season after.
Maybe time for everyone to go in the same dircetion.
Unregistered
14-05-09, 11:26
Seven is not the number that will play. Contrary to popular and mis-guided beliefs at least one maybe 3 more teams will play in the new season.
Knox with Dandenong and maybe Kilsyth will be one of the teams.
Hobart a real chance.
And yes a Brisbane based team if people start working together.
These three teams would not be gauranteed a final spot in the NBL restructure but as long as they were competitive they would assist the NBL recovery.
If Hobart could get the team together and prove they are structured enough with sound business backing they could sneak back into the NBL. Brisbane like wise. Why wait the extra season ad have to pay $1,000,000. A season could be done for approx $750,000 if one was serious. Remember tha the salary for players just plummetted. Only so may spots for players to play.
If Brisbane Spartans played or another group from Brisbane how many players running around currently and interstate woudl be wiling to have a go for very little to just get a chance of being part of what may happen the season after.
Maybe time for everyone to go in the same dircetion.
definately not over with Adelaide and Perth being only "conditionally" inked in.
Unregistered
15-05-09, 10:35
Word on the grape vine is that the Tigers and Dragons want to be part of the NBL but that BA is planning to move the season to mid 2010 and finish at the end of 2010. This will be the future structure of the NBL.
However the NBL wants clubs to run a summer season Oct 09 - March 10, and then back up again in mid 2010. Tigers and Dragons are just saying that they aren't interested and would prefer to not run a summer season and just get it start up again in mid 2010. This is good business sense as it would be very demanding for corporate sponsors and the clubs to run two season in just 18 months or less.
They did this when the season was first moved and it proved costly. I personally believe that if the season is going to be moved then forget running anything else until we are ready to launch the new NBL.
Like I said this is the word on the grape vine but it would explain why the Tigers and Dragons have pulled out, and honestly considering the way that BA have stuffed around so far I think a mid-year start in 2010 is the best move.
Maybe true maybe not. Rumour is pretty strong.
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