Why expect so much change? The "new NBL" is just a term to describe the change from BA and not to suggest huge, immediate upgrades.

What changed year-on-year in the past? Not a great deal.

anon what are you expecting?

We're Australia not the NBA with 40 home games a year with 20,000 spectators a game. We don't have the budget to compete.

And to those complaining about back in the 90s, the 90s are our problem.

Basketball became too popular it forced the NRL, AFL, Soccer and Netball to wake and actually do something. So they stole our ideas, our programs and used their "aussie" position to get a lot more funding and media based on their already bigger base and blew us out of the water.

The management model has changed.

It's up to owners to be responsible to the League now and not just their own backyard.

The change in refereeing philosophy is good but its just the start. Give it time and gradual changes for the positive will continue.

You're the one complaining, what changes do you want to see?

From what I had heard, I thought this year was about consolidating the league (making small changes) and there were bigger changes (in the scheme of things) to come next season.

the New NBL board has passionate people like Richard Clark from the NZ Breakers on it so expect positive changes over the next few years

Owners are already saving about $200,000 per annum under the model
That means less pain or alternatively more money to spend on promotions and marketing

Did Keneally ever actually state she could get funding?

Are you honestly all telling me that you think the current NBL is a healthy league?

I don't think that's a critical discussion to have (in terms of judging management) in a transition year. The league isn't dead/dying or going crazy either. It's harsh judging different owners and players on a timescale where the sports and sponsorship landscape was very different or where they had no influence. Since some post-90s decline, I think the league has largely trundled along. Wish it could take the next steps, but I still enjoy the games and can't see it disappearing.

As anyone following with interest (rather than casual fans) knows, there are a few issues which prevent grand changes. And the hassle of the demerger has probably prevented an ideal crack at the marketing. I imagine they'll make organisational change, tweak the refereeing and see how that goes before doing anything bigger.

They know that Brisbane is critical to any hopes of a decent TV deal and that the $1m guarantee has seen off potential bids. So they'll contribute money to make sure it happens. I think that's fair. If clubs are saving some money through the demerger, that will also help a few teams leaning on community support.

Perth and NZ have shown what's possible and I think a performing 36ers will see much better crowds in Adelaide.

Things will still be challenging in Townsville and Wollongong at least.

But I found last season entertaining (and liked NBL TV despite its issues) and expect to find this season just as interesting. And I enjoy the game regardless of admin blunders or missed opportunities or brilliant advertising.

The management itself is out of my control. I can talk about the league, go to the games and take whatever interest I can from that. I can't plan their advertising, create their schedule, improve their website, do their stats, etc. (On the latter two I could do either, but it's not my decision.)

They're not directly funding unrelated Basketball Australia expenses...

That is only part of it
The owners now have money going directly into the NBL instead of it being funnelled out to other BA interests. for instance BA employee wages being covered as an expense to the NBL but not working exclusively on the NBL

They paid a competition fee to BA aside from travel expenses. I dont know exactly how much it was, had heard somewhere around the $100K-$120K mark. Some anon will know exactly.

No one seems to want to put any descent money into MARKETING the League... That is one of my main points. There is no excuse for this if they want it to succeed again

I agree that the league needs consistent, polished presentation and marketing is one part of that. But I will disagree on two points:

- there is an excuse, this season, if they figure they're better off making a stronger push next year after the flailing off-season
- sadly (giving them even less credit in recent years), the better bang for buck would come from things that can be done with even less of a budget than marketing, and especially TV/radio/print advertising. Good and consistent stats. Decent and consistent social media. Better relations with the media, making it as easy as possible for journalists to get info and easily write up stories. Simple and quick highlight videos, after every game and of every talking point.

The video thing is such a classic NBL example. Instead of top tens after each round or highlight reels from every single game that are easy for any semi-skilled kid to cut from existing footage provided by Perform, the NBL persisted with the more difficult, longer, comprehensive video podcast. I've watched hundreds of NBA highlights videos. I've never watched a video panel show on YouTube from that league. Which do you think the future NBL fans (12-16 yos, etc) are more likely to watch and send to friends?

Is the assumption about saving 200k or 100k based on the clubs contributing absolutely zero to a centralized administration?

I hate to nitpick (who am I kidding? I love it!) but it needs to be said that marketing and advertising are two different things. Advertising forms a part of marketing.
Isaac's examples of how they market the product properly (and this isn't just talking about the game itself) without spending a lot of money are spot on - fix the website, fix the stats, engage with the fans, whether it is on social media or continuing with school visits, do all those little things properly and that is effective marketing.
While Nick Marvin had the support of Bendat to spend decent money on advertising for the move back to the city, prior to that he was marketing the club well for years.
The two do go hand in hand but there is no point throwing decent money on ADVERTISING with tv and radio ads if people quickly discover that a click around the league's website continues to be an exercise in futility.

Are you genuinely interested because it wasn't really the point of my post.

and Bevo

Maybe they will announce this season's Dream Team!

But seriously Isaac I was wondering mate, if for example Perth Wildcats and Adelaide 36ers released rivalry DVDs of say 5 greatest wins against Perth/Adelaide, who would get monies for that?

Is it something that would go to NBL or those teams and lastly do you know who owns the royalties to old NBL games and is there any possibility that NBL.tv will be putting old games there for us in the future?

Thanks in advance

Proud, probably to those teams and whoever arranged it. Teams have game tape from simple cameras of games, or broadcast footage. Latter owned by TV co probably, but doubt they value it. They'd need to automate a production and sales system to make money. Doubt a great rivalries series would get enough sales to really be lucrative. Market isn't very big and you can't charge what you once could.

Would need to go almost all digital I think. Sell AVIs or streaming.

Sorry to drift off the usual path of whinging about what the NBL isn't going to do this season to take us back to the heights of the 90s popularity, but speaking of the launch, has there been anything actually announced, like a media thing, or fans meet and greet in the city or something?

I heard somewhere that something is happening on Thursday afternoon/evening, but for the life of me I can't remember where...

Thanks so much Isaac with all the teams 'working together' hopefully they come up with something worthy of this loyal fan base