Sydney Kings gone?

[saintal]

Apparently Sydney have been asked to hand back their license. Shocking news for the league With the cloud hanging over the Bullets, is the NBL on it's last legs?

Enough teams have gone under in the past 10-15 years to almost form their own league:

Spectors and Saints
Hobart
Gold Coast (back again)
Geelong
SE Melb
Nth Melb
Victoria Titans/Giants
Canberra
Newcastle
Hunter
Sydney?
Brisbane?

Interesting that Brian Goorjian has been the at head of a number of clubs on that list. As successful as his teams have been on court, his pushing of the salary cap to the extreme and his 'slow ball' defensive style havent always left his clubs in a great position. Or it may just be a coincidence

As somebody who grew up following the league more passionately than the AFL or SANFL it's a shame to see it in it's current state.

Would an A-League structure be the way to go?

[gadj1976]

I heard Brain (correct spelling) Goorjian say that it's "happy days" and that he had a good 6 years at the club. Idiot that man.

I can't believe the NBL are letting this happen. People tend to lose interest in competitions where teams are continuously turned over. And unless they revamp the whole comp shortly it'll be dead in the water.

[Hondo]

There's a war going on for sporting code dominance in Australia and basketball seems to be falling through the cracks while AFL, NRL and A-League scramble for corporate support

One thing I don't understand is the point of having a team in Singapore

In the 80s most Adelaidians knew the 36ers starting 5 to walk past in the street + the best couple of players from most of the other teams. Now Brett Maher would be the only one most people could pick.

Such a shame to see long-term clubs fold like this. Hopefully they find some answers before the whole league folds.

[JK]

The Sydney Kings were never in fact that, they were the "NBL Kings"... The league took them there thinking the Sydney market was their best possible saviour, didn't work (despite the Kings success), but in the meantime they took for granted the other states and their clubs that had been the backbone of the league year after year...Fair enough they hoped for an even greeener pasture, but when they rolled the dice they put their safeguards at risk IMHO and deserve everything they get.

Unfortunately for those of us (including myself) who enjoy the national basketball comp, it's future gets more worrying by the year as a result.

[Strawb]

this reminds me of the old ABL i miss baseball and everyday i go past altona baseball stadium i shed a tear for a great game my kids are missing out on

[Swooper16]

Boti Nagy wrote a good article and expressed his view about how the NBL should start afresh similar to the A-league and less amount of teams.

it seems the NBL's only answer to wailing interest was to throw another team into the mix who would then fold 2-3 seasons later. Due to poor management it seems the NBL missed the boat and couldnt hold onto the popularity the sport had during the mid 90's when every kid in school played and watched the game.

To get the sport back on its feet it needs less teams, free to air coverage and cheaper tickets (last time i went it was about $25 and that correlates to about $2 for every minute played)

[Magpiespower]

A national comp without teams in Sydney and Brisbane is beyond a joke.

Especially since they've been two of the standout teams the past couple of years.

NBL
1979-2008
R.I.P.

[RustyCage]

A national comp without teams in Sydney and Brisbane is beyond a joke.

Especially since they've been two of the standout teams the past couple of years.

NBL
1979-2008
R.I.P.

The 36ers have been put up for sale again too.

[saintal]

Looks as though the Bullets are now officially shot...

[Hazbeen]

No Kings, No Bullets, will anyone stop the Tigers going top again.

Hopefully the Sixers will have a much better showing with the new line up.

[Ian]

The NBL is definately imploding.............a total structural overhall is required, including a return to the once popular traditional winter season format, crowds have declined at a steady rate since the season was moved to summer.

[Wedgie]

Winter ball would be a disaster. AFL wasnt played at every time over the weekend in the old days and League was only played in the days too. Union didnt have S14 then too.
They couldnt compete with these codes and would Fox might even give them the arse as it would run out of channels.
The NBL would die if it moved back to winter as opposed to a couple of clubs dying that dont do much for the game anyway.
If the NBL concentrates itself in the areas its successful like Adelaide, Cairns, Townsville, etc instead of spending big bucks on fickle area it will prosper again.

[Magpiespower]

In many ways, the NBL has never fully embraced Australia and has been a little brother of the NBA, a second-rate colonial outpost.

They couldnt compete with these codes and would Fox might even give them the arse as it would run out of channels.

Rumour has it Fox might dump the NBL regular season next year.

And only show the finals.

[CK]

Rumour has it Fox might dump the NBL regular season next year.

And only show the finals.

A disaster for the NBL if that does happen. At a time when they should be pushing as an alternative to cricket and A-League in the spring and summer months, it looks to be going from bad to worse.
Quite why it doesn't rate better as an alternative is beyond me. The atmosphere at some 36ers games is fantastic (the game against Sydney last year stood out for mine) and Adelaide, generally, play an attractive style. With the list they already have this year - assuming Hodge does remain in the US D-League - they would have to be pushing for top 6, even allowing for Ng's loss to Singapore, so should be plenty of reason to get out there and support them. Having said that, ticket prices can be prohibitive for families - roughly double the cost of a Port Adelaide season ticket, for example.

[JK]

Could they get by with playing their games on week nights only for example, and avoid competing with the AFL and NRLs of the world?

I'd imagine probably not, but just throwing it out there.

[Strawb]

this is from the 1988 NBL year book I used this to get my list of teams.
Alive
Adelaide 36ers
Illawarra/ Wollongong Hawks
Melbourne Tigers
Perth Wildcats
West Sydney Razorbacks
Cairns Tipans
Gold Coast Blaze
New Zealand Breakers
Singapore Slingers
South Dragons
Townsville Crocodiles

Dead in the NBL
Brisbane Bullets
St. Kilda
Canberra Canons/Hunter pirates
Newcastle Falcons
Nunawading/Eastside
West Adelaide
Bankstown
Glenelg
Newcastle
Sydney Supersonics
Sydney Kings
Launceston
Coburg
West Torrens
Forrestville
Adelaide City
Frankston
Davonport
Geelong
Hobart
West Sydney Wastars
Westside Saints
North Melbourne Giants
Southern Stars
South East Melbourne Magic
Victoria Titans/Giants
Gold Coast Rollers

[Magpiespower]

When it rains, it's a monsoon!

Because now's there's talk Hummer won't return as the NBL's naming rights sponsor.

Both the TV and naming rights are up for negotiation in the coming months.

Regardless, I hope the NBL doesn't completely abandon the Bullets and the Kings.

Perhaps a scenario like Souths in the NRL - sit out next season, regroup and return.

Because the league can ill-afford to lose two established clubs...

[Magpiespower]

Sydney Supersonics

Prefer their original name...

City of Sydney Astronauts.



Here's a few more double-ups (like Canberra/Hunter etc.) from that list...

Bankstown Bruins - West Sydney Westars
St.Kilda Saints - Westside Melbourne Saints - Southern Melbourne Saints
West Torrens Eagles - Forestville Eagles

[Thiele]

you can the Sinapore Slingers to the departed list

[Thiele]

you can the Sinapore Slingers to the departed list

only a 10 team comp