Isn't it normally two weeks after the GF when teams can talk to FAs?

They normally get something out within a week with a preliminary FA list with the points values... I guess it doesn't help that it's Easter long weekend now, and then Anzac day, but really, should have all this info pretty readily available to get out quickly...

Kerron Johnson 4 lol

Are they still using points system next season though?

Word is that they are... and I think there was an article going around that mentions loyalty points coming back as well, which would mean that they'd have the system still in place...

Confirmation either way from the league WOULD be good though, instead of having to deal with rumours and guesses...

got no problems about the points cap

Some mention of a loyalty scheme that reduces points for players who stay with a team for 5 seasons, in another thread. Add to that the previous discussion of a marquee player rule that effectively means the salary cap applies only to nine of your players. Means a rich team can say take a $200,000 player out of the cap and use it to buy good young players from other teams by overpaying them $40,000 to $60,000 each. After a few years, those young players have matured and have lower points' allocation for that rich team but a higher points' allocation for the other teams, by virtue of the loyalty bonus. Those players have replaced your high paid veteran players, thereby freeing up the money you were overpaying them. You can then drop what you need to pay those players and divert that saving to buy the next crop of good players away from other teams and so forth.

PeterJohn, there's only one "rich" team in the NBL and frankly given how well they've run their franchise over the past 20 years they deserve to reap the benefits, even at the cost of league equality.

Not that I think reality will unfold as per your simple model: there are too many uncertainties. While loyalty ought to be commended, players have to make decisions in their best interests, even at the expense of their (former) club.

964, most NBL clubs are unprofitable. It isn't as though Kerry Stokes has been capable of buying wins due to the hard salary cap. He has, however, spent the necessary cash to build a sizeable support base. Perth have made the playoffs, what, ~20 years running or something ridiculous like that?

Now Perth are projected to make $1mil in profit this year: in short, that's how Perth is well run. And no, I'm not a Wildcats fan.

What does Kerry Stokes have to do with anything? He hasn't owned any of the Wildcats in 15 years.

Sorry, Jack Bendat*

The Breakers have cap room
Big Red , Johnson Out
Abercrombie looks likely to be gone

Bruton seudo retired?

"The sizeable support base is only in the last few seasons."
Because Perth Arena didn't exist before that.

"Making $1mill of profit shows how much cheaper the ticket prices could be eh.
Why not aim for break even situation."
Why would you only try to break even? What a ridiculous idea.

"Jack will pick up the tab if required."
What makes you think that? He won't be around forever, either.

Koberulz is pointing out the truth, why abuse him for it?

The Cats DIDN'T have the big supporter base they enjoy now because Challenge Stadium held ~4,000. Who wants to pay a membership and get no tickets?

As for the breakeven comment...it doesn't even warrant a response.

Jack is a shrewd businessman, he has structured the Wildcats (the team, the business) so that it can now stand on its own and can be a true ongoing concern like any other business.

Isn't this what all teams / businesses strive for?

What is Koberulz saying that is so wrong?

So now they move to a bigger stadium and make money, yet when they played at Challenge they were broke essentially if it wasn't for jack.
Why not break even? They would fill the stadium as you thinks that's important.
Jack may indeed move on, but with such expensive ticketing and a marquee player looming and if success doesn't occur the fans will walk and the ship will sink very quickly.

If the team drops off on-court, demand for tickets will drop and prices will drop. That's how it works. And because the club has tried to make a profit, and succeeded, instead of simply trying to break even, they'll be able to survive through lean periods because they're not starting from zero every season.

And Perth Arena seems plenty full to me most weeks.

"The Breakers have cap room
Big Red , Johnson Out
Abercrombie looks likely to be gone

Bruton seudo retired?"

Abercrombie is contracted to the Breakers next season and has publicly said he'll be back although the year after may be a different story but that is also when Penney is expected to return to the Breakers after finishing his degree.