A free to air deal is far more valuable than a Fox deal for sponsorship valuations

If the NBL goes to Fox they need to be paid big money to offset the loss of the value in branding

A combined deal is a must, I think, because one network is unlikely to give the deal the NBL needs.

"The A League is rating very well on Fox, so why couldn't the NBL?"

errr...maybe because the A-League has a massive following of fans, whereas the NBL doesn't?

Hamish McLennan has signaled interest in live sport which is critical for the network. I don't think 7 would bid as they passed on the RU rights to Ten and Fox just recently, so I doubt they will bid for the NBL.

I think if a TV network and the NBL are smart now! They make the most of Australias Success in the NBA at the moment and try and build the NBL brand through that! The best way is for the NBL and TV to work together unlike the current Ten and NBL deal

Idea: Every team is required to sign one player with an Asian passport (allowed outside the cap if possible), therefore these games will have a greater interest in Asia (our timezone) and Asian broadcasters will throw money at certain games (sponsors, commentators etc).

As we all know the standard of the NBL is better than any Asian league and if decent players actually get at least some playing time (unlike that Japanese guy that just signed for the Mavs) then interest will grow.

Im sure someone who is a marketing genius at the NBL could seek 1 million or more to sign 8 Asian players and the NBL or clubs pick up the rest of the bill.

Call me stupid but its worth a try.

Foxsports please because they will air every game!

if they aren't using guys like Spenceley then they are crazy !

Basketball is a growing sport in Asia

Basically all sports are growing sports in Asia... I know you didn't say this Curtley but basketball should not be treated as an exception.

I doubt however that Asian players playing in the NBL will make any difference to viewership or interest in Asia. With the exception of China and Philippines, Basketball remains a sport that is moderately followed.

Have the occasional Asian or South American players playing in the A-league fostered interest in the A-league in anything other than small numbers in those countries?

Come on NBL what are you doing. Channel 10 is killing the NBL. How about one Free to air marquee game then maybe 2-3 live games on fox sports. 4 games covered each week is better than nothing. A marquee game needs to be live in all markets, not sure what day would be best for this, this needs to be decided on.

1) One of the advantages the A League has that the NBL doesn't is the leverage of the National Team - Socceroos. With the NBL separating from Basketball Australia, they cant use the telecasting of Boomers as leverage for NBL games.

2) The small market teams and their revenues are no match for the Wildcats. As long as this separation continues, the NBL will struggle.

3) The Wanderers have shown why Football will be commercial with their win in the Asian Cup. The $2,000,000 prize money alone is double the salary cap of each NBL team. NBL has no regional or international comp that the top club side can play in.

4) Expansion of the NBL will be held back without a strong TV deal. Small clubs cannot compete with sponsors and members without a TV deal to provide funding.