That's not how it went down so shut up.

The last thing the league needs is another basketballer in the chair. It needs savvy experienced sports administrators, promoters and business people.

Personally I think it is brilliant that the CEO has acknowledged fans directly

Funny that OP suggests the CEO does what he can to connect with the fans but then chastises the CEO for doing exactly that.

I (ATF) actually started it.. Then it took off. I had a few ideas I tweeted and everyone else joined in.

Personally I think it's great he acknowledged it.

I think it's great that the CEO is willing to mix it up with the fans and ask for feedback on what WE would like to see. Better than sitting in the ivory tower just telling us what we want. That's what we've had for years and look what happened.

Fraser is giving us a different approach which is exactly what the league needs instead of just trudging away with the same old ideas that have failed to capture the broader public.

I like it too. Plus basketball CEOs have hardly propelled us to heights anyway.

Sorry OP, disagree with you.

He's doing what every CEO does goddammit. OP obviously knows nothing about business management theory.

In layman's terms, CEO's make decisions based on data. That data needs to be the most reliable. Every second day on the news, you hear about companies spending millions into a certain research project or study of that research. It is not the CEO's job to make decisions without fact, that's why he is going to the fans for input.

Using statistical jargon, fans responding to Neill's call for input are the most 'representative' and 'reliable' sources of primary research. What Neill is doing is exactly what he should be--finding the most appropriate data to make decisions on.

Further, NBL fans will only appreciate a CEO asking for their own input to expand the brand they love. Win-win.

Every good CEO*

Good job ATF for getting this trending etc.

Awesome rant, OP.

All the suggestions by the fans should have discussed within NBL Owners meetings by now and they could have compiled a list as long as runway.. They are all very simple suggestions one in which it doesn't require a PHD!

Basketball is a great game that has a huge following in Australia but lacks direction & basketball experience at NBL team level up to NBL HO which is why current memberships are low.

I can't get over the fact that it has the second highest participation rate in the country!

Granted it's an indoor sport, but still. That's something we should actually look to exploit.

Wait, the rant isn't over.

That is some good ole non sensical ranting there true fan. Do you have a newsletter I can subscribe to?

True Fan, do you actually think it matters if the league has already listed these ideas internally? You appear to have missed the process and point of it.

And how did Sengstock do? When did Stern play NBA?

I think it was a great idea. Fan feedback is the best way to improve a league. True Fan I don't know what you are on about. Just another negative fan?

Hey, don't bring me in to this!

Issac, I'm very aware of the process and more importantly what the priorities should be.

As far as Stern.. I wouldn't never speak of Neil in the breath as Stern, NO comparison!

Anon, totally agree with you about Keneally.

She is just getting paid to send press releases written by BA staff.

Anon,(part 2) She was a headache hopefully the NBL owners doesn't have to worry about anymore.

Hey True Fan, is it true that you're a true fan?

Paul, I'm a big NBL fan mate and have been for many years. I get very frustrated when key stakeholders in the NBL continue to make poor decisions that will have a huge affect on its existence long term. Decisions that current Australian players will feel they are better off playing O/S.

Watch this space...

True fan, I don't think you will see a mass exodus of players to Europe and subsequent folding of the league.

As stated in Boti's article, players have a certain guardianship of their league--they'll do whatever they can to keep it. After all, it is their job and livelihood. You will always have full support from them.

Bad OP, bad. Very naughty.

So no actual acknowledgement from True Fan that he flew off the rails with little to no knowledge of how it actually started? Typical...

It was great to get such a thing started and trending and great of the CEO to actually acknowledge, as someone else has said, KK wouldn't have given a rats about it...

Some where ridiculous, some were very simple, some might even be possible... Hopefully the league and the teams have been looking and paying attention...

Seems perfectly reasonable management strategy; immediate and efficient low cost feedback. Align it with feedback of club owners and CEO's and Mr. Neil has a list of priorities before him that can be researched and developed before the beginning of next season.

True Fan, any chance you are also a keen observer/commentor on the deficiencies of the Townsville Crocs?

WOW... omg, how dare a CEO want fan opinion!

What an utter fool this man must be, to think the fans know what they want!

... listening to his interviews and what not, true fan.. I am positive frasier neill knows where the league stands.

As for needing to be headed by a basketball person, sorry.. thats how we keep getting into these messes... Basketball heads with no corporate success trying to play the game of selling a product when their skills are more suited maybe to coaching or player development.

And I can definitely imagine what Kristina Keneallys response would have been to anything like this. "Australias womens team have hit the podium 4 out of the past 5 olympics.. we have one of the highest participation rates in the country.. I am not sure if this is relevant to the situation but I am Kristina Keneally... all media keep away!"

Plus with Frasier asking the question.. it is possible a new idea he hadn't considered could arise.. or he could have an idea hes already sitting on reconfirmed to him. WOW... True Fan, I think the man should personally apologise to you for taking an interest in his job!

is the OP Corletto???

True Fan, you raised the concept that a sports CEO needed a direct background in that sport. Stern was a lawyer before taking the NBA through 30 successful years. You've done an exceptionally poor job of arguing your points or responding to counterpoints.

Great stuff by ATF!

I'd hope that league HQ takes the list and splits the wishlist in to three groups. Those that can be fixed immediately/with minimal effort (website, nbl.tv, social media engagement), those that are achievable but will take time (new tv deal, second team in whatever city) and those that come from people that have zero idea about anything but just think that stating pie in the sky stuff makes them an expert (filter for @danieleade for those suggestions).

Isaac from memory David Stern did play pro before joining the NBA in a little known league in NYC called LLL (Little Lawyers League) the rims aren't very high (6ft from memory player on a 1/4 court) and scores are kept private so not to offend anyone, but the IP, merchandising and television rights from the league alone are worth a fortune.

in seriousness, I like the idea of a CEO engaging fans and hearing what (the people who keep the league afloat) they want from the NBL, rather than arrogantly assuming you know what the fans want.

On an aside, do you think increasing the NBL court size to NBA dimensions (it is wider and larger 3 point dimensions) coupled with the Three Second Defense rule would be of benefit to the NBL and increase the number of dunks in the league?

I acknowledge that there is a very real possibility that it would just reduce the 3 point shooting percentage to embarrassing numbers across the league, but the potential to increase exciting plays by freeing up inside lanes to enable more dunks does seem appealing

Is OP Clint Dogg?

Lance I remember when 3 point lines were extended a bit a few years ago, there was a period of adjustment where no one could shoot then soon enough they got it together... I think its an idea to look at. But more important then extending a court to me is making the courts look better on TV, and showing the game from better camera angles that allow you to see the nuances of the game better...

Lance, I dont think the 3-point line would make a difference for athletic plays given there isnt as big a difference anymore.

Re the defensive three seconds, it could, but I think the biggest difference is if we start strictly calling fouls on players who step under elevating players as they do in most places.

Defenders dont sit in the key so much anymore because big guys can shoot, I think it's the threat of getting a charge because someone stepped in under you at the last minute that reduces players attacking the rim really hard in the half court.

NBA is on track to break the record for threes attempted this season.

Certainly agree with widening the court a little. Too many players are still stepping out of bounds. Sure this is fundamental and they should be getting it right, but the narrow court doesn't help.

The narrow court doesn't help, but surely neither does flinging your leg back before you go in the opposite direction?