Isaac
Years ago
NBL to announce league format on March 18
NBL TO REVEAL FUTURE COMPETITION FORMAT ON 18 MARCH
With the 2010 National Basketball League (NBL) Grand Final series currently in full swing and playing to sold-out crowds in Perth and Wollongong, Basketball Australia is poised to reveal the teams who will be granted a license to play in the 2010/11 season on Thursday March 18.
Basketball Australia (BA) Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock will make the announcement in Sydney, where BA's head office is based, revealing the number of teams that will play next season and their geographic locations.
The NBL Commission is currently considering submissions from parties who have indicated they want to play in the revamped NBL competition next season and will soon make the final determination on which teams have satisfied the entry requirements.
"The Commission will now determine which of these current teams and other interested parties satisfy our entry criteria, and fit with our strategic plan for the continued growth of the NBL," said Sengstock.
Sengstock said the number of teams who will play in season 2010/11 was still to be determined but that only teams that could prove their long-term financial viability to the satisfaction of the NBL Commission would be included.
“Ultimately it’s up to the NBL Commission to decide on whether, based on the merits of their submission, an application measures up to our criteria or if the inclusion of a team is in the best interests of the competition,” said Sengstock. “As a result, we don’t know if we will have eight teams next season, nine or ten until we have had the chance to analyse all submissions in detail and perform our due diligence.
“What is assured however is that we will only issue licenses to teams who can satisfy the NBL Commission that they are financially viable in the long-term,” Sengstock added. “That is absolutely critical for maintaining the stability of the league so that we can continue to grow.”
Eight teams competed in the NBL this season - the Hood Sweeney Adelaide 36ers, Skytrans Cairns Taipans, Gold Coast Blaze, OAMPS Melbourne Tigers, Burger King New Zealand Breakers, Perth Wildcats, Townsville McDonald’s Crocodiles and Wollongong ahm Hawks.
The NBL Commission has also announced that it will release the initial free agents list for 2010/11 fourteen days after the announcement of the teams, on 1 April. All current teams will have until that date to sign their existing contracted players at their current 2009/10 season Player Points Rankings for up to a three-year term. After 1 April all unsigned players will be declared free agents.
The 2010/11 NBL Season will tip-off in October 2010.
