Loco
Years ago
Boti: League launch to keep 9 teams
Not sure it's been linked in here yet:
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League launch to keep 9 teams
EXPECT the National Basketball League to be back for another season starting in October before Basketball Australia completes its reform overhaul.
Nine teams - at this point including the Adelaide 36ers - are expected to make up the new-NBL before the reforms kick in in 2010.
That could mean a second season in 2010 running in a July-December time frame, with elite basketball then permanently locking into that playing period.
BA yesterday announced it intended to have the expressions of interest process for the new elite men's national competition finalised by next week.
That followed two days of intense talks with owners after which new BA chief executive Larry Sengstock declared "significant progress" had been made.
Sengstock will be in Adelaide today meeting with the consortium hoping to take over running of the 36ers from owner-in-absentia Mal Hemmerling who is away on holidays. In his absence, Eddy Groves' one-time Brisbane Bullets troubleshooter Jeff Van Groningen is back in town assisting the sale process by exploring options for Hemmerling.
Sale of the Distinctive Homes Dome - owned by the embattled former childcare magnate Groves, who bought the venue and team in partnership with Hemmerling in July, 2006 - also appears closer, potential buyers finally recognising it won't be "fire-sold".
"The EOI (expressions of interest) process has been a very complex and sensitive one and has required full consultation with the NBL owners," Sengstock said in a statement yesterday.
"It has required some lengthy and detailed discussions and we have been very pleased with the progress made this week towards an ultimate outcome."
Sengstock met with an ownership group including Melbourne's Seamus McPeake and South Dragons co-owner Mark Cowan.
McPeake, who recently resigned from the BA Board, is not expected to stay with the Tigers but Melbourne's other backers will ensure the venerable club survives, albeit under a different business model.
"The dialogue we had with the BA board was very fruitful and I believe we are edging ever closer to having ironed out the finer details in the blueprint for the new league," Cowan said.
"We're feeling optimistic about the outcome of the EOI and look forward to working with the BA board towards an announcement next week."
If the local consortium can secure "one or two" further investors, the nine teams would be Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, South Dragons, Wollongong, New Zealand, Gold Coast, Townsville and Cairns. A consortium spokesperson said its bid for the 36ers was not a "fait accompli".
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So are we now expecting no NewBL for 2009?
