Why cant they just be called Tasmania United?

You're from Hobart. Use the name Hobart in there

University of Southern Maine says how about something original.

Beyond Stupid

Is this because they couldn't buy the trademark or URL for anything better?

And Talk about not understanding your target audience!! It has already created confusion, with many Tasmanians believing it implies a reference to the southern part of the state.

And what's with this "We The South" crappola??
I appreciate that slogans need to be somewhat original, but they need to tap into an existing cultural reference. So slogans for Perth teams, referencing "The West" work, because that is how we see and refer to WA.

I've never heard of Tasmania being referred to as "The South." Yes, its technically true, but is it something Tasmanians already buy into?

As for "Huskies," again not something ever associated with Tasmania. Only Australian territory ever associated with Huskies was Antarctica, and they got rid of them because they were killing penguins.

End of the day, at some level, a name is just a name. "Wildcats" started out simply as am alliteration. The only actual wild-cats in Australia, are (yes) feral cats that we're trying to eradicate. Huskies is probably no worse than any other.

But I still find the "Southern" thing a bit odd.

This makes absolutely no sense, I hope it's a joke.

"We the South"? Shit the bed more like it.

Dog shit.

Well, you've always been a weirdo so I'm not surprised.

As for "Huskies," again not something ever associated with Tasmania.

Huskies are actually very popular in Tasmania, and the expeditions to Antarctica were launched in Tasmania, and there are statues across Tasmania commemorating them. They may not be native to Tasmania but it's hardly like picking a comnpletely random animal and just running with it. And I think people might be overthinking "we the south" a bit. I am sure relative to the rest of the continent they consider themselves "the south". And even if they don't think of themselves that way, whose to say they can't?

I have no problem with the name. And the logo looks more modern and professional than most of our league.

"Whereas Perth are of course renowned for our feral felines, and Brissy notorious for all the bullets."
Twat!

As I said:
"End of the day, at some level, a name is just a name. "Wildcats" started out simply as am alliteration. The only actual wild-cats in Australia, are (yes) feral cats that we're trying to eradicate. Huskies is probably no worse than any other."

The irony of course is that Tasmania is in the enviable position of having a unique, indigenous, world-known, ferocious mammal. Which just happens to carry the name of the state.
Maybe its a trademark issue? But why not simply call them the "Tasmanian Devils." Mascot sorts itself too.

But as I said, Huskies is no worse than any other.
But "Southern"?
It's still not clear, Southern WHAT?

It would be bad enough if there wasn't already an entire state called "South Australia."
Sure, Tasmanian is further south, but the time to have that argument was 150 years ago.
In all seriousness, one automatically assumes this team is from SA, or maybe a local team entered in the State League.

End of the day, the majority of people willing to support the team will do so regardless, even if you called it the arse-enders, but why start out with a handicap?

Say what you will about the Westate Wildcats, nobody could be confused about where they were from, or who they represented.

Wow the hate on here is a bit sad. You would think those big markets like Sydney and Melbourne would have everything in place for at least 2 teams playing out of each- nope . Melb still havent identified a second stadium znd Sydney need Bogut to give it sustainability


Im not sure what to think of the name yet, but as a Tasmanian yep we are south (all of the state) and Huskies do have a connection. Does not immediately evoke passion but if it is a team playing out of here it will.


Havent seen to many Kings wandering round Sydney

The reaction reminds me of when the South Dragons named was announced, a lot of people thought that was terrible but it quickly grew. There will always be those that don't like something new. The test of the name won't be instant social media reaction, but how well it works in the long term.

So maybe they should have gone with #WETHEISLAND

I'm not sold on the whole Southern Huskies thing would have preferred Tasmania or Tasmanian in the name if the didn't want to associate with Hobart specifically.

Not the name I would've chosen, but wasn't aware of the huskies connection - thanks ME. And the logo is at least professional.

Probably fair to assume that almost any historical NBL brand announced today would cop some criticism. "A 36er?! What's the mascot going to be, a calendar?!" "We don't have wildcats in Australia!" "Dragons!!!11?" "Breakers? Oooh, I'm real scared." "There are no tigers in Australia." "I think Bullets sends a negative message to the community."

Must've been a good reason they skipped Devils though?

If this is where they want to go, I love it, Go Huskies I say...

I dont think the actual name of the team matters as much as the culture and team that will be associated with it. What a "southern husky" is and what it means will only be known in 18 months time. And let's face it, almost no one would have chosen the name 36ers for Adelaide, yet today absolutely none of us would change it.

Should have gone with Devils.

Southern Huskies sounds very collegiet, the logo looks like a college team too.

With that said, it's fine, the name, logo and slogan are more than decent. the logo looks professional and sleek.

It's a good step in the Tasmanian bid IMO.

I will say the logo and colors look better than Cairns, who continue to persist with that hideous orange.

Cairns just need to go to a slightly darker tone of orange, similar to what the NT State teams often use, then they will be fine IMHO, not so bright orange, rather an earthy orange tone perhaps...

Not that I am a fashion guru or anything, but I think orange is fine if it isn't too orange :)

Bear eye for the straight guy

I like it. I don't know what people are getting upset about.
Just remember, there are no Raptors in Toronto(none that I know of anyway) and I'm yet to see an Eagle outside of a Zoo in Perth.

At first glance the logo looked like a husky with its two paws out to the side, not 3 huskies. Makes a different impression, not that there's anything wrong with that.

Since the Devils were last in the NBL a VFL side competed by the same name, it's possible that AFL Tas own the rights to it.

Since the Devils were last in the NBL a VFL side competed by the same name, it's possible that AFL Tas own the rights to it.

Surely it's The Southern Super Salmon!

The South Remembers.

Mmmmm

What happens when the NBL expands to include the Australian Antarctic Territory?

I like Huskies though. Great dogs. Great name.

What about the Tasman Abels, or Abel Tasmans?

Abel Tasmans could compete in wheelchair ball.

Or the diversity/ inclusive champs.

Not trolling. I have a history in coaching/ managing inclusive sports, including basketball.

UseTaHoop - Australian Antarctic Emperor Penguins

There is only a loose connection to Huskies in Tasmania. Have to go with something more relevant. It is like with the cricket. Never been a hurricane in Tasmania but the Big Bash team is the Hurricanes.

Has to be Devils or Tigers (doesn't matter if the shield cricket team is already this) or even convicts (Port Arthur)

And don't call them Southern. It should be Hobart or Tasmania and the nickname. After 20 years or whatever I still don't know what country half the Rugby Super League teams are from because they do not have their location in the name.

Better than United which is a soccer name.
Will be interesting to see who they sign as next years free agents list appears uninspiring.

"Huskies?" - no. Identity matters to me in a team and this is grounded in the local people and local history. "Huskies" is clearly derived from the US. IMO adopting it indicates a lack of cultural confidence.

Can't those overpayed "image consultants" work this out?

Giving this project about 2 minutes of thinking - let's leave aside the whole wild life thing.

Could go with something denoting the climate (the "Sou-Westers") or Tassie's maritime connections (the "steamers").

Other suggestions considered apparently:

The Tasmania Bicephalics,
The Tassie Cousins,
The Tas Jazz,
The Island Staters,
The Tasmania Cascades,
The Tassy Brewers.

The Bicephalics - catches my eye. It would be a challenge for marketing me thinks.

The Brewers - of course! I can see that, particularly if a beer company sponsors.

Tassie Growlers is really good, sponsors or not.

The Tassie Steamers. I love it.

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=The%20Cleveland%20Steamer

I think they are trying to start fresh and not revive the devils from the dead. But its interesting they have gone with purple, the same colour as the BBL hurricanes.

Not a huge fan of the design and name, but I think it will work well. The response today from this board reminds me of how almost everyone (myself included) thought the launch of the big bash league, with new teams nicknames, crazy colours was never going to work.....

"Huskies?" - no. Identity matters to me in a team and this is grounded in the local people and local history. "Huskies" is clearly derived from the US. IMO adopting it indicates a lack of cultural confidence.

"You all don't get it. It's not Huskies per say as much as the vauge "Southern". No brainer to call the team Tasmania whatevers."

Correct.
I think there were better names than "Huskies" but its far from the worst name in the league.
I'm sure most people would be aware that we used to use Huskies in Antarctica, and that most Antarctic expeditions departed from Hobart.
So what? Is this a Hobart team? It's still not clear.

So why not simply the "Tasmanian Huskies"?

"South Dragons"? Yeah, great example. A team meant to represent the Southern suburbs of Melbourne, who would a thunk it.

Colors (and brand) have not been released, but it would not be 'royal' purple

Leaving 36'ers with the only team with strong cultural connections to Adelaide (for 1936).

Adelaide are the only team whose name truly has something to do with where they're from, and have easily the worst name in the entire league.

Regarding the suggestions this team be called the Tigers, even after the rebrand to United I still don't think an NBL team using the "Tigers" nickname would be the best of ideas.

Colors (and brand) have not been released, but it would not be 'royal' purple

Given the rivalries in Tassie re: the other cities vs Hobart if wanting to be truly inclusive of the whole state it would've been mad to call the team Hobart or Tassie Devils again.

The marketing behind this has been pretty incredible, they're developing news story after news story - not a bad move to get momentum.

Timing is everything though. It can't just "die" and then a year later they win a license - momentum wouldnt be there anymore which would affect memberships etc.

Ideal scenario is the ground swell culminates in being awarded a license in 3-4 weeks time, followed by using the Chargers to advertise for the NBL team throughout the season.

When you see the "out from the cold" page KR posted it all starts to fit together and looks like ( small sample size admittedly) the start of a well thought through process.

Wasn't aware of the Tasmania/Huskies link before. Like it more now.

Agree and specifically how they have linked the colours, name and location together.


dont believe any other team has even attempted to do this. Well done and now waiting for more to come.

Wasn't the last home game supposed to be the brand unveiling? Was today's news just them getting out in front of a leak?

At first I thought this was a bit of an April fools type joke as surely you should have a public vote with several names such as Clippers (think Sydney to Hobart yacht race) amongst many others and if Huskies won out then great.

Kinda disappointed they couldn't have anything regarding Port Arthur as that would be cool and strong (not referring to Martin Bryant at all but how Port Arthur was the toughest penal colony in the whole country and how Tasmanians not only survived but thrived) so it's a bit of a shame they can't have convict arrows down the side of their uniform.
Before anyone kicks up a stink about that idea, I seen a slogan on Facebook the other day that said "I was planning a trip to Australia. I was asked if I had a criminal record... I replied, "I wasn't aware that I still needed one".

If they could have used that type of lighthearted humour without making it a joke and showed the strength regardless of the atrocities that they faced in there then that sounds like a team you could get behind.

Yeah really really not liking South in the name and I understand the Antarctic theme which is cool but will they do any packages or merchandising with Antarctica and the stations down there because if not then should have gone with Tasmania...

Kinda sad that Taz or his likeness couldn't be a mascot for this team but huskies work in packs and they have 3 on their logo so 3 mascots could work fine to get around to the kids more (something I think Perth should do more in helping Wilbur by getting the Lynx mascot too to walk around and engage with the crowd).

More to my last point about mascots, an example of having multiple mascots was/is Illawarra with Toma and Mo and how they were both easily identifiable as being different and the kids loved them.

I've never been a mascot but I think a personable, fun, athletic and charismatic mascot is worth their weight in gold so why not two and maybe the mascots could allude to one being from North Tasmania and one from South Tasmania so you can help make everyone feel like they are being represented (the third could be Central)

New article in the Mercury regarding the branding. Unfortunately it's behind a paywall.

Good to see a legit bid getting pushed for Tassie.

I dont love the "Southern" name, though I can see the logic. I still think using Tasmania would have been the best way forward. Huskies is a decent enough name, and while the link to Tas is marginal, it is light years ahead of the majority of Aussie sports team names.

Also, on the note of "worst names in Australian basketball" I feel like people often overlook "Sydney Spirit". While I detest United, the Spirit still take the cake for the worst named team in Aus Hoops. United is a close second though.

Last poster - get over the parochialism, read more. The siverdome and elphin are not NBL ready, the DEC needs and will get significant investment for it to be NBL ready.

This is a statewide bid get behind it, or be constructive ....very easy to take pot shot a lot harder to do the work as this consortium has.

My post was replying to the one ending JFC, not the re ent anonymous

Every solution along comes a problem. What is your solution anonymous The bid has been methodical and professional and will continue to be so.,there will be those who can not see the potential for further growth and not do a cracker except moan.

Cant change that pettiness, what can happen is embrace change and get on board.

I drove to Launceston and back on Tuesday for work, will be back up there next weekend for a bball tournament and then Devonport for another tournament two weeks later. ....its what you do when my kids play and ref in development and club comps. Im in Hobart but travel for bball at least twice every 6 weeks

Seriously we need to grow up and get over it, embrace change and become professional

Apologies to reply#697195, agree with your post !

South Australia Tourism should sponsor the game night between 36ers and Tassie.

I'd love to see their logo sans Tasmania plastered everywhere

7206-are you in Tas, or just an expert on everything Tasmania with an opinion?

Entitled to it. If you watch how the bid is structured the whole of the state is and will be included , also factors in the negativity of some

215 it is a team that intends to unite all of the state - watch it evolve. Think you will stick with your thought bubble, thats fine.

It is South of Melbourne, watch what happens not what happened in the past.

Very easy to throw negatives out without doing work.

Not a matter of you being right or wrong, watch what happens that will be your evidence

215 it is a team that intends to unite all of the state - watch it evolve. Think you will stick with your thought bubble, thats fine.

It is South of Melbourne, watch what happens not what happened in the past.

Very easy to throw negatives out without doing work.

Not a matter of you being right or wrong, watch what happens that will be your evidence. Sounds like you work for the AFL using that line

215 it is a team that intends to unite all of the state - watch it evolve. Think you will stick with your thought bubble, thats fine.

It is South of Melbourne, watch what happens not what happened in the past.

Very easy to throw negatives out without doing work.

Not a matter of you being right or wrong, watch what happens that will be your evidence. Sounds like you work for the AFL using that line

Ooops apolgies for multiple posts

Yep ive been playing / following for well over 3 decades as well. Remember Launceton Casino and the father and uncle of curremt hobart seabl player jack stanwix playing nbl . Opinions are important and inform discussion but also should be up for change.

I would be disappointed if this bid does not get up as it has been methodical and inclusive. Also has all the criteria but sone things are out of control i realise that

Wow all the shit I spoke and the silly ideas and I get bagged for suggesting that a team use an unprecedented third mascot and call him something in regards to Central (which is better than calling them say Hobart, Launceston and Devonport and alienating other towns in Tassie) and by the looks of it Central is old growth forrests so why not name this THIRD mascot Woody and others alluding to other things Tasmania are proud of.

Good luck Anon but I'm not seeing you suggesting things in an attempt to get people excited during the off season.

To understand the objections you need to understand that this is an unnecessary swipe at the North.
Yes, the state is divided, and yes this division is unnecessarily played upon. Even with the AFL there are those openly promoting the infantile idea that we should support Hawthron over North Melbourne because one plays in Launceston and the other in Hobart.
I personally think the state is too small to waste so much time arguing internally, but it happens, in everything.

I can assure you that nobody in the North thinks of themselves as being "South of Melbourne." What a moronic notion.

I doubt I would have travelled to watch games, and certainly wouldn't have bought a membership, but would notionally have supported a State team. Instead they have cut of whatever small amount of support they may have had from the North, with this unnecessary insult.
And the answer as to “why?” is “because they can” and you need to understand that it has been going on for decades/centuries.

In some ways, calling it Southern is worse than simply Hobart, because it says that whilst they want to include other supporters, they still don’t want Northerners.

It’s possible this is payback for lack of tangible government support. The government would have insisted on the “Tasmanian” label, and possibly even sharing some of the games.

Oh, and whilst you may think “Huskies” is just another random name its not. It’s a deliberate link with Hobart (nobody in the North has ever seen a Husky.)
Calling the team the Devils, would have acknowledged the whole state. Couldn’t have that.
And I think its not coincidence that most will fall into the habit of calling them the Hobart Huskies.

LL get over it, if you feel that passionate get involved. Sniping is easy,it is not a 'crack at the North'......seriously the bid is about the state dont make it insular and sad and all about you

7299 your conspiracy theory is a bit confusing?

"While I don't quite understand why Tassie or Tasmanian Huskies was not preferable to Southern Huskies, I also don't understand why someone in Australia's southern-most state would get their knickers in such a massive twist about having their state being called Southern. Talk about precious! "

And yet you have yours in a twist over??

This is a forum, people express opinions.
I'm a bit confused over what Southern refers to, but at the end of the day it doesn't actually matter to me, or most others.

What matter is who their target audience is, and whether THEY get behind the team.

Yep Ad - it does sound prescious


What would it take for it to be graced with your support?

I've got the perfect name - Tasmania United!

...oh, I was beating to the punch by the 2nd post...

Ignore?


Just because i disagree does not mean ignore. Is this state south???

It is about all of the state , the process is just starting. What is needed for your support?


Creating a debate about nothing

Yep 321 exactly - step by step, DEC is needed as part of process. If that falls over that's it.

Seriously do not think people understand the amountt of work / $'s involved to get this to a sustainable stage and to be able to have this discussion

I agree with you SCOUT.

@LL, you have two choices champion, you can bitch and let this become exactly what you're suggesting or you can contact the management for this new team and ask for a job in which you're involved advertising the team to the north and making it as influential up there as you want it to be. I'm sure that the second option would be better for everyone.

I think, without context, Southern is a perfectly fine name.

It is the southern most state in the country, obviously. This whole debate about being "further south than Melbourne" is a crazy debate. It is further south than everywhere on the mainland.

The problem is within the context, where people within the state see themselves as northern or southern. Given this team is supposed to represent all of Tasmania, you'd think they'd be keenly aware of this context.

Much of New Zealand is further south than Australia, but can you imagine someone from the North Island supporting a team based in Christchurch, calling itself "Southern Breakers" and declaring they're for all of NZ?

Tasmania would have been a far more inclusive name.

I have friends in Tasmania and they say the name and the whole concept has been a massive hit. The upcoming team is now on everyone's lips. I don't think the word "Southern" has had any ill effect.

Cram - don't buy in to the insular stuff,the bid is about uniting the whole state, we are the southern most state of Australia.

And the team will represent the whole state, everyonr understnds what it means.

Marcus Bellchambers, Anthony Stewart etc . The bid by the consortium is incremental abd will include the whole state.

As stated previously need to first get hold of the DEC

Yep, has been well received overall down here. Some complaints, as there always are, but most people I speak to are excited there is such a professional bid being put in for a Tassie team in a national comp.

More here:

https://mobile.twitter.com/brentcostelloe/status/1019130351585615872

Totally agree #380 - work to be done, amazing amount completed to this stage but nothing locked in yet.

Projects need steps completed (outputs) for them to be completed with outcomes, still need to tick off DEC etc. Very impressive process so far

This bid has about as much chance of survival as that of the Tassie Tiger

SCOUT, ME and others; I too am glad to hear the north vs south thing isn't as big of an issue as it has been in the past. Hope it all goes well.

Cheers Cram -appreciated.

Whatever happens it has been a impressive process up to now and i hope that will continue

Good post anon # 381

Leaks from the consortium say that if they get the ownership of the DEC they will "Ensure the Stadium has a naming rights sponsor", install 1600 new premium level 1 seats, new premium court side seats, a new 4 panel drop down scoreboard, New NBA style change rooms with individual warm up courts, New Premium lighting, New foyer and merchandise store, skylounges rebuilt, F&B revamp new backboard and court.
A rainy day fund setup externally administered. Continued community engagement.

Yes it's all a "field of dreams" isn't it.
This consortium has spent at least 6 months in planning their bid. 5 days of mercury press as well with The mercury consulted months ago.
Government fully versed in what will transpire without asking for 1 cent of backing.

Huskypup yep.....wthout asking for 1 cent from govt ( the same one that has thrown millions at NM and Hawthorn, Time for this to stop)

Hobart Charger's game against NW Thunder sold out before 6:30pm. Long line of disappointed fans at the ticket booth.

Hard to say what the crowd is with current configuration but possibly upwards of 3000.

All Tasmanian teams playing. Men and women.

Would you believe a little over 2000?

Great to hear about all those changes to DEC, but it almost sounds like they could knock down some walls and increase capacity to say 10,000 if they wanted... I know some may laugh at that thought but it really sounds like the owners have the mindset of if we build it then they will come and if SEABL games are selling out and the north and south aren't so divided then I wonder if there is any possibility of this happening... I really wish that Perth would build a bigger stadium as Wildcats are seemingly turning away fans and Huskies fans could experience the same fate.

I just loved that cartoon as it showed a real "us v them" mentality. You mess with us and you have to deal with the big large dog in his yard. It was the first time I really connected with the Huskie nickname.

My friends only have a mild interest in Basketball but we are all excited for this potential team and most of us will get memberships for sure. I don't think mainlanders understand how frustrated and even hurt we are that we don't have a national football team down here. And you look at the sellout tonight for a SEABL match, which shows a great love for basketball already in the state.

The best people to follow on twitter regarding news on the bid would be

https://twitter.com/ajsmiddy (merc sports editor)

https://twitter.com/brentcostelloe (Wins news sports reporter)

https://twitter.com/Bartlett_DJ (the public face of the bid)

and of course,
https://twitter.com/SouthernHuskies

There is a new stadium concept design now published plus the small cartoon plus what the bid team wants to put down to the table to the NBL when they table the bid officially.

Is there a link to these DEC concept designs?

https://mobile.twitter.com/ajsmiddy/status/1020246859296649216/photo/1

This is a link to proposed design

Never happy anon #500 !!

How can you tell the capacity?

From today's Mercury. (paywall) in part.

"The redevelopment of the DEC would include a four-panel drop-down scoreboard, NBA-style changerooms with individual warm-up courts, 1600 new premium seats, a complete food and beverage revamp and new court, backboards and 30-second shot clocks. The Southern Huskies will invest $3 million to $4 million into the DEC overhaul in the first six months should their offer for the venue be successful — all part of the plan for a new sports and entertainment precinct for the area totalling up to $90 million."

30-second shot clocks

Love how they sprout all the pipe-dreams, then admit they only plan to spend $3~4M.

Geee there are some bitter posters on here taking pot shots, some of them are getting close to libel with statements about Justin Hickey. He is the major backer but not the only one, but damn it id good to have him on board.He is copping similar rubbish to what LK has in the past (who i believe if he had not got involved in the NBL it would be close to folding - now thriving)

For a start i reckon people should read up on what has and will occur before posting ignorant rubbish.

Also believe some are displaying petty jealousy.

This bid has been methodical, professional and sustainable (multiple revenue streams inculding hotel on site, and externally run 'rainy day fund') of which i believe will work and bring people along.

Yes there are and will be challenges but the work that is being done has been phenomenal. This is positive stuff for the sport and the state and people need to pull the vitriol and pettiness back a bit.

Yes pretty amazing that someone from the peanut gallery calls Hickey a conman.
It just shows you what lengths some non achiever in basketball and life will go to with out even giving them a chance.
The guy is a local and a former Hornet / Chargers / Devil.
He's made his fortune in tech and is doing very when thankyou.
He simply wants to see a NBL side back in Tasmania and have the chance he had as a kid to excel to the best level in basketball and that's the NBL.

For the lunatic fringe that cheap shot from the side lines from their cave it has already been said numerous times that "...all part of the plan for a new sports and entertainment precinct for the area totalling up to $90 million.
Mr Bartlett said he wanted the precinct to be used "all day, every day" for sport, dining, or entertainment."
This includes building a hotel that "concept drawings released on Friday show a revamped court and exterior, and initial ideas for a 140-room hotel proposed for the site.
Mr Bartlett said the integrated hotel would be a mid-range hotel, similar to a Vibe hotel.
“It will be cost effective so families can stay there,” he said. “We expect that with a hotel on site we can attract more tournaments.”
If Hickey gets the DEC then all power to him. They will present to the NBL by November. How can that be a con?
Incidentally those within the consortium have access to a LOT of money. Hickey is the face of the consortium, it's his idea but he has powerful backers and to suggest what has been suggested here is a lie.
One of those in the background has more money than LK. So shutup about Hickey and if you have reviewed hundreds of business plans then clearly we know your ability to judge things is woeful.

The NBL team is just one part of this whole plan. Tassie needs a more up-to-date function centre for concerts and such and our tourism industry is booming and having a hotel near MONA would be smart. The DEC is in a fantastic big location in a city running out of space.

I wish I was an investor because it has the potential to make a lot of money.

It is also close(ish) to the old rail lane if they ever decide to build light rail on that.

#568 Anon maybe not to your tasting, another who has a pot shot without offering an alternative.

We the south sets the club apart, doesn't really matter if you are not attached to it,dont reckon you are who it is directed.

Im looking forward to it all evolve, piece by piece

This thread is just weird
A lot of people screaming at each other over nothing.

It's not clear to me whether this "bid" has NBL backing? Don't shoot the messenger, I'm only basing that on some comments that they have not presented to the NBL yet.
To me, that would be the Litmus test. Say what I may about LK, he's made his money, and knows what it takes to be successful.
So if he welcomes the bid with open arms, I think we can safely assume that the bid has a decent plan and the money to back it up.
If he doesn't, well the bid will die.

Honestly, I would be surprised if they have gone to this extent without his blessing.

As for the name;
I like Huskies. They are one of the few breeds of dogs than can have blue eyes without complications. Beautiful.
Certainly it is better than many other NBL names. The connection to Tassie may be tenuous, but again is stronger than most other teams.

As for the whole "Southern" debate, well I do find it a tad puzzling, but I'm happy to leave that to the Tasmanians.

There are some people on this board who REALLY hate when people with money get involved in the league. It's quite bizarre to see really. It borders on mental illness the leaps of logicv people perform to find negatives in the great things that are happening.

But at the same time, the "pro" arguments in this thread are also rather high-strung.

When people have followed the NBL for some time, we've seen it all. Teams struggling year after year before finally dying, petulant arseholes pulling their team out of the league, and of course the ultimate shyster that twat selling petrol pills.
I even remember that season when the Cats had a major sponsor, that nobody had ever heard of, no had any clue what they did.

Unfortunately there have been more failures than success stories, so perhaps some cynicism is warranted?

End of the day, if this bid gets up, and is viable long-term, that will be a great thing for the NBL and Tassie.

Yes D2 totally agree that there is a place for healthy cynicism and honest analysis.



When you do that it adds to the discussion, do you actually have any analysis of this bid ie how it stacks up, what steps it should take, where it is now?

Or just personal experience from the past? Might sayyour comment is high strung and righteouss without looking at where the bid is.

This bid is now at they stage of waiting for the decision on the purchase of the DEC, the community here and elsewhere are discussing it and basketball which is a very positive thing.

One of the things that David Bartlett (ex Premier and spokesperson of bid )said yesterday that stuck with me is that the consortium has the $s but it is also committed to working with the community for it to have positive outcomes. An example of the is school programs been run / yesteerday my daughter attende a bball clinic run by attende by players and coach (Anthony Stewart ) the Chargers ( SEABL team ) which also had a session on how to combat cyber bullying. Really positive stuff - this is all part of it.

I am all for people being realistically cynical, and would never ask that anyone dull that to be a one-eyed optimist. I know i get a little sick of hearing the gushing rants of guys like Andrew Gaze and Shane Heal and knowing that reality is a little more grounded on earth than their hyperbole, but at the same time if someone is going to outright deride the moves being made I'd prefer they'd have a reasoned article to back it up. Often I find people pull BS reasons out of the sky to believe that the league is going to fall apart, and it goes as far beyond reason in the opposite direction as many of the dancing monkey enthusiasts do. But I am trying to see the downside in the Tasmanian bid and I am unable to. Worst case scenario the team folds and were back to where we are now. So the sum is either status quo, or great success. Why not take a punt on it? Looks like some pretty wealthy people are willing to do just that. If we're going to judge NBL on past failures we'd basically better just give up on it because nothing the NBL could possibly do would not remind us of something they tried in the past and failed at. Might as well pack up your bags and go home.

Merchandise already made and about to be released and an online Husky store as well not far away.
The effort and cost put in already is simply outstanding.

The new guy on the block with a nice shiny new licence has a lot of catching up to do. Just saying.

Ok I think my comments above may have been a little premature for the most part, I'm really coming around to this bid and I like the rainy day fund and the hotel idea etc, I mean who here wouldn't want to see their team play in Tasmania in a venue you know is state of the art and accomodation is close etc.

But now my question is this, once they are established and proven to be self sufficient and the Hotel is as well, could this club become a super power of the league? With the supposed money that is associated with this bid, could this team legitimately recruit Ryan Broekhoff for example once he comes back from the NBA ?

I think this club sounds better off than Illawarra and I want to say Cairns but I know Cairns have made money in past seasons and building stronger rosters jeopardises that.

I hope they get everything they wish for and so do the extremely patient and well deserving Tasmanians

Honestly, I would be surprised if they have gone to this extent without his blessing.

In a sense it is a good sign that they are already so progressed in terms of professional branding and the like.

A lot of these things take time, so to get ahead is brilliant. If they get their hands on the DEC in the next month or so and can upgrade the DEC's capacity to 5-5.5k and upgrade the other aspects to NBL standard well in time for the 19/20 NBL season than they're going to be starting on the right foot.

Unlike many other clubs the Huskies won't be spending way over the cap. An operating budget of $5mill.has been mentioned.

http://www.aussiehoopla.com/the-southern-huskies-plan-to-bring-nbl-basketball-back-to-tasmania/ worth a listen if you still have questions

Merchandise being revealed everyday this week.
Like Southern Huskies Basketball on FB. #wethesouth

The reason behind the logo reveals a lot of things that I am many have missed.

We've been asked a lot about the thinking behind our logo.
Here it is in a nutshell:

We started with three huskies to represent our focus on being a strong pack with a sense of togetherness, fierce loyalty and camaraderie.
The huskies are shown howling together and communicating with each other, emphasising our commitment to teamwork and our ability to support each other.

The background of the logo is made up of a basketball with a strong point at the bottom to reflect the South and the land we are representing.

The Huskies type uses a half gradient to reflect the cold and ice encountered by the explorers leaving Tasmania and heading out during the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. The 'I' in Huskies represents an ice-pick used during these expeditions, a sign of strength and adventure and the drive to carry on no matter what conditions are faced. The typeface itself is italic to show movement, speed and agility both representing the huskies as an animal and for the basketball we aim to play.

Our colours are a direct representation of the Aurora Australis or the Southern Lights. The dark blue representing the night sky and the rich purple and vivid greens from this amazing natural phenomenon.

So, there you have it.

I think the explanation is superb, especially for those who do not know much about our southern state. It explains how everything is tied in together.

This is why we struggle to get a team in any league for Tassie. So many bed wetters over every detail.
That and the need to appease those in the North... Historically because of the use of Gov funding.

This time it's private backers, so no need to make it the WHOLE STATE'S TEAM. Get on board n support a team in Tassie or shut up n let those who do want progress move forward.

Listen to the Hoopla podcast if you're interested in the Tassie team or just expansion in general, great ideas for future growth of the league.

The Hoopla guy just says for every franchise to buy their arena. If that was possible I think most would have done it by now.

Tassie in prime position if they get control of the DEC.

If the model works in Tassie and makes money more investors would be interested in their own venue/team.

The good press continues. A great article from the North West's "The Advocate".
Thunder's coach and former Chargers player Sam Armstrong endorses the bid wholeheartedly.
Featuring Mason Bragg in a Huskies uniform shows you how everyone is behind the bid and a state not divided.

https://www.theadvocate.com.au/sport/local-sport/5548132/the-north-west-coast-a-big-part-of-southern-huskies-plans/

More good news coming from the Southern part of Australia.

"THE groundswell of support behind Tasmania's NBL push will make the Hobart Chargers the hottest destination in the SEABL in 2019.
That’s the firm view of coach Anthony Stewart, who is preparing his troops for Saturday’s qualifying final against Kilsyth in Melbourne.
Since the branding for the state’s proposed NBL team — the Southern Huskies — was released last week, Stewart’s phone has not stopped ringing with interest from both current and former players wanting to get involved.
Early planning for next year’s Chargers squad has already begun, with Stewart using the Huskies as a major selling point, despite the consortium behind the bid yet to meet the NBL to officially pitch its case for the 10th licence.
Hobart Chargers coach Anthony Stewart says his phone hasn’t stopped ringing since the release of the Southern Huskies branding. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES
"It is a great selling point, I have never had so many ex-players that I have played with or players who are currently in the system that want to come and play with the Chargers or be part of the Huskies," Stewart said.
“My phone has not stopped, it’s been incredible.
“It is a big part of our selling point. People are talking about it around the country and around the world.
“If you are not in the NBL right now, if you want to be part of the NBL, the Hobart Chargers is where you want to be playing.”
The Huskies have garnered a big following less than a week since the launch of the club’s social media sites, with financial backer Justin Hickey and his business partners set to meet NBL powerbrokers next month to present a plan which has covered every requirement.
Tasmanian basketball fans also sent a loud message to the league last Friday, with the Derwent Entertainment Centre hitting capacity and fans being turned away from Hobart’s matches against the North West Thunder and Launceston.
“To walk out into that stadium Friday night and see 2500 people there and people being pushed away from the door, it certainly gave me some gratification that we have done all we can,” Stewart said.

“The exciting thing is the [Huskies] brand is probably the best in the league and the vision, if you want a regional basketball team ... the concept and the business plan they are putting forward, it should be a priority for teams in regional areas to have that ownership of your stadium.”

Chargers off to play Kilsyth on Saturday night. Launceston Tornadoes off to play the Bendigo Braves.

"Tasmanian Devils" does seem to be taken by a Champions League (3x3) team, as posted above. So it wouldn't have been available to a potential NBL frnachise or other professional Australian basketball franchise.

If you search 'Tasmanian Devils' on the Australian Business Register (http://www.abr.business.gov.au), you'll find that a company called 'CLB OPS CO PTY LTD' has registered the following business names from 23 February 2018:

Fremantle Thunder
Hobart Devils
Melbourne Magic
Tasmanian Devils
Townsville Suns

I assume CLB Ops is the company Champions League Basketball has set up to run their 3x3 competition.

If Stewie and Nash when they returned at the end of their NBL careers and helped revive the Chargers back in the day, there would be no Chargers now and no Huskies bid.
Chargers since then have struggled somewhat but 2500 people last week for an intrastate men's and women's (all 4 teams) clash shows you how Tasmania are behind basketball in their state and the Huskies news.

The DEC will be sold to them or the local council would have a revolt on its hand.

The Glenorchy City Council(who own the DEC) recently had to raise rates by a large % to cover for their recent infighting which forced our state government to disband them all and force a new election. The DEC makes a loss of roughly a million dollars each year(mainly from depreciation), so for them to not sell it to the Huskies, despite the fact they have raised rates to raise money, is political suicide. It is the perfect storm for the Huskies to get the DEC.

I feel confident the dec deal will go through I noticed Willl hodgeman at the game last Friday I know the government are not a direct part of the consortium but I have no doubt they are assisting with the council part It's just a matter of being seen to go through the correct process . I really believe they have been given assurances that there is a licence there is no way hickey and co would have spent the cash they have so far and attempt to purchase the dec without a license all its also convenient how the huskies news broke only a couple days after kestleman announced the ninth license with nbl currently negotiating tv rights they would need 10 teams for a extra game in the new tv deal . Does anyone know who the other members of the consortium are ? apart from hickey and bartlett I keep hearing a prominent Hobart businessman I've noticed MONA name gets Brought up abit I wonder if there's a connection there!

Launch day tomorrow for the Southern Huskies Foundation Members.
" IT'S ALMOST GO TIME!
Tomorrow is launch day for Foundation Members.
From 12:00PM on 1st August our Foundation Members pack will be available for just $10 with free delivery.
Each pack contains a numbered Foundation Membership card and lanyard in a unique presentation box and enables you to become a part of history as a founding member of the Southern Huskies, providing key support to us in 2019 and beyond.
Your membership entitles you to discounts on merchandise, saves you money on season tickets and gives you access to the biggest and best offers and exclusives.
The first 200 Southern Huskies fans that purchase a membership pack and use the coupon code #WETHESOUTH2018 at the checkout will also receive an exclusive keyring, magnet and sticker pack.
Full details including the website address and links to buy will be sent tomorrow morning to all our loyal subscribers.
Hold tight for a huge merchandise announcement to follow soon!"
Seeing the membership lanyard and membership card beautifully packaged this is clearly the best marketing in the NBL already.

Don't know how to post a pic here sorry. It was in an email. Tomorrow is launch day. Follow them on FB Southern Huskies Basketball.

Gaze back Husky bid.

"BASKETBALL royalty Andrew Gaze believes securing ownership of a stadium could blaze the pathway for Tasmania to re-enter the NBL after more than two decades in the wilderness.
The five-time Olympian, former NBA guard and now Sydney Kings coach has been impressed with what he has seen from the Southern Huskies branding since the official launch of the proposed team two weeks ago.
Central to the bid — led by Tasmanian entrepreneur Justin Hickey — is the Derwent Entertainment Centre, with an offer from one of Hickey's companies Hydraplay for the venue and some land currently with the Glenorchy City Council.
Should the GCC accept it would give the consortium a huge boost in its pursuit of an NBL licence given the financial stability it would bring.
"That would be fantastic," Gaze said when told the consortium was looking to buy the DEC.
“It is a quality stadium where they have the facilities to host corporates to a level which is required and I think it provides a really good spectator experience.
“Of course if you actually own or have control of the venue, not only can it be financially viable, it can be one that you can put together a program that would be the envy of a lot of others because of the revenue you can generate.
“Here in Sydney, AEG Ogden are the managers and maybe not the owners of the facility but they have control of the venue.
“We don’t have it as good as saying you completely own it, but they have the management rights to Qudos Bank Arena.”
With interest in basketball in Australia booming following the success of the national team and the number of players in the NBA, Gaze said it was time for the NBL expansion to continue growing the game.

And he is a big supporter of a team from Tasmania, which has not had a presence at the top level since 1996.

“It would be tremendous if they were able to get a viable bid up and off the ground, it would help enhance the league and do tremendous things for not only the league but to continue the good vibe and growth of the game throughout grassroots as well.

“I think it is fantastic that we have got someone in that part of the country interested in being involved, provided they have the resources to do it, I think it would be fantastic to have another team in the competition.

“I saw a bit [of the Huskies branding] online, I haven’t studied it but it looked impressive, it looked pretty slick.”

Well, the website crashed. That is a good sign i guess. Member number 390 odd for me

I hot m8ne 2 hrs before tip off. A link and a countdown timer. Potential members would have been ticked off with the inability of the servers in coping when flooded.

Check your junk mail. Mine went in there first.

Huskies now going to release "a numbered series of 1000 Heritage "Game Night Edition" Southern Huskies Jerseys"

#42. 42deg South. For those that may not know on the BIG Island, Google it

MOre good news with the Southern Huskies spokesperson on WIN TV not long ago.
FB link.

https://www.facebook.com/WINNewsTasmania/videos/2028820467151616/

Making a LOT of POSITIVE noise.

ABC Hobart sport on the massive Huskies impact across Tasmania.

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-01/southern-huskies-bid-for-nbl/10061786

I would of thought they would of sold more memberships than that by now.

I would of thought they would of sold more memberships than that by now.

I know they want 5000 member's for when the bid is presented to the nbl, i just thought all the hype would of translated to more sold on day 1.

However many members the Huskies have signed up before the bid is presented to the NBL it will be exactly the same number more than Romie Chaudhari has so far for his licence.

Justin Hicky and Michael Sutton both met with the Tassie government yesterday and will meet with the NBL on the 8th of August.

Fox sports had a story about it.

Love for the league to expand to 10 teams.

Great if Tassie gets a team and their is a second Melbourne team.

Make it more interesting.

Consulting period for the sale of the DEC finished today.

Yep, no coincidence meeting with the nbl this week

They will be releasing the mascot at the Antarctic festival tomorrow.

They will be announcing our first player signing tomorrow aswell.

Sorry it looks like they are just revealing the mascot tomorrow, not their first player signing.

The name of our mascot is Mawson.

Mawson is a cool name for a mascot but shame they didn't go with the multiple mascot idea that I mentioned above... kids love seeing mascots and the more that mascots can be seen the better and the best way to do that is with more mascots like Illawarra had with Mo and Toma

We have now signed nearly 3000 members,so we are getting closer to the 5000 they want for when they present the bid to the NBL in November.

IN the Mercury today Bogut has now come out and supported Tasmania's bid to join the NBL. 2 Legends now supporting the bid. Great stuff.

How the Southern Huskies plan to revolutionise the NBL

That is a great read from Ben Mallis on the Huskies and how they intend to not just enter the NBA, but in essence, try to deliver a sustainable franchise model in Australia.

Justin Hickey and Mike Sutton had a very positive 90 minute meeting with NBL chiefs in Melbourne today,they were very impressed with the financial model.

Paywall article below from not long ago on the NBL meeting with the Huskies proponents. Thanks The Mercury.

"SOUTHERN Huskies bankroller Justin Hickey has emerged from an informal meeting with NBL powerbrokers "very positive" about the direction of the state's bid.
Former Tasmanian basketballer Hickey and business partner Michael Sutton met with NBL chief executive Jeremy Loeliger and league owner Larry Kestelman for the first time this morning.
Since details of the proposed Tasmanian side started emerging two weeks ago there has been a groundswell of support from not only across the country but globally, and today’s meeting was a chance for the consortium to outline its vision to the league.
NBL owner and executive chairman Larry Kestelman. Picture: AAP
Hickey, who has previously stated his desire to land a possible 10th licence, described the meeting as a positive step forward in the process.

“I was quite surprised on how good blokes they are and how open and honest and transparent they are,” Hickey told the Mercury.

“Just about how much in their thought process everything they do is about ensuring teams are strong and importantly the quality of basketball is as high as possible.

“We requested some information off those guys as well, it was a fact-finding mission so we can do some more forward planning.

“We will probably reconvene in about a month and chew the fat a little harder on numbers and things about the basketball program, which is obviously really important.

“But it was a really positive first step.”

The Huskies have signed up nearly 5000 foundation memberships in less than a week, and have outlined their vision for turning the Derwent Entertainment Centre — which they are wishing to buy from the Glenorchy City Council — into an NBA-standard stadium.

The club also unveiled its mascot, Mawson, last Sunday.

The smell of this gets worse all the time

After listening to win news tonight it sounds like we have some major obstacles to overcome if we want a team.The NBL have also said we are very unlikely to be able to have a team by 2019/20,so i believe our chances of getting a team are not very high.

I highly doubt they'd rather pull the plug than wait an extra year.

Strange though if that is the case. I'd figured until this week that conversations with LK had happened privately and they essentially had a licence, unofficially, pending the DEC sale.

Meanwhile the bloke who actually does have a licence has...nothing else.

It would be pretty ridiculous if Huskies have to wait an extra year, but the basically have their shit together, but Choudary starts next year, with literally nothing.

I haven't seen the news piece Daniel is referring to, but it's possible that they simply can't get the DEC ready in time? Choudary would presumably be playing out of a venue that is already NBL-quality. Of course, we don't even know which city it'll be in yet...

This whole situation is absurd.

The NBL have said we will only have a small TV audience and would probably struggle to sell enough three year memberships.

If that's the excuse, you're never getting a team.

"I haven't seen the news piece Daniel is referring to, but it's possible that they simply can't get the DEC ready in time? Choudary would presumably be playing out of a venue that is already NBL-quality. Of course, we don't even know which city it'll be in yet...

This whole situation is absurd."

It will be in Melbourne, you can book that.

But still, yes, the situation is absurd. You have one team that has basically set everything up already and is all guns blazing being given a little bit of a cold sholder, while you have some dude who just showed up, no market established whatsoever, and he's being given a team for no reason other than he's rich.

The interview also shows what the NBL thinks of smaller markets. Loeliger said TV audience would be an issue as they're a small market. If you're thinking big cities get preference from NBL, well you'd be right!

I don't see why the size of Tasmania should be an issue for audiences. If they field a good enough team, I will watch. And when Tasmania plays big city teams, others will watch too. Kind of seems like a weak excuse for me. And how many more big cities are there left in Australia anyway? Do they want to basically only expand in Melbourne or something?

Do you have a link to the story? I haven't seen it.

https://www.facebook.com/WINNewsTasmania/videos/2040920652608264/UzpfSTE1MDY0Mjk3NDYzMzE1NDk6MTg1OTM5NDcyNzcwMTcxNA/

Well if you don't like it, I guess I have no choice but to change it.

I didn't see Loeliger's comments as being a death knell for the franchise at all for 2019/20, I think that if he came out and all but guaranteed the license and then in a months time had to go back on that because of issues with the DEC or something unforeseen then the NBL would look foolish.

I think they have time upon their sleeve right now and if Huskies start announcing player signings and treating the club like it's already in then it will be impossible to knock back.

And as for those fearful that that NBL will sit on their hands for the next month as they await this next meeting, all I can say is that LK gets shit done and I think he had less than a month to get a tv deal when he took over the league and managed to do that and quite a decent one too.

I'm still optimistic that I will see the club over at Perth Arena in 2019

Yes,they plan on signing several players before they take the completed bid to the NBL in November.

Several weeks ago they released a information pack on all the things they want to have done by the time they present the bid,one of those was to have their first signings announced.

There is definitely a lot to get done before next season and one of those things will be making DEC suitable for large crowds and TV. I think if they can prove they can do that in time they're probably 80 percent of the way there. The issue with viewership is strange to me though, as I am sure Wollongong and Cairns have similar size populations. If just 10 percent of Tasmania watch the Huskies (and what else are they going to watch really?) that is still 50,000 viewers you never had before tuning into games. Still strikes me as weird that Choudhari is guaranteed a team where none of this groundwork has been done though. Makes me think that the NBL has probably been working on putting in another team and somewhere and had all the ducks lined up and just wanted someone external to the league to fund it. Once again, that will almost definitely be a team in South/East Melbourne.

Not sure if they're weak excuses. I mean, yes, it is weird to me that Choudhari waltzes in but I just think he's funding a team that the NBL always wanted anyway and have probably been planning for for some time. Tasmania has a lot of positives going for it but I do think the NBL has to be mindful of all the elements before awarding them the license. The old NBL would have just let them in, they may have fallen over a year later, and then the league has to pick up the pieces. I do think the TV viewership excuse is eye-roll worthy, though. But I think, after some thought, that things aren't quite so bad for the Huskies. Maybe they can get a lot done in the next month and put the NBL in a confident position? We shall see.But I do think that, if Huskies get the DEC, they're inclusion into the NBL is inevitable in 2019, or the next season.

I believe getting enough people to buy three year memberships could be a major problem in a small place like Tasmania,when it comes to corporate sponsorship I know they already have at least one business ready to sign up and others interested.We also know that Justin Hickey will be putting 5 million a year into it so that is a large amount towards what's required,so we just need to hope we can solve the other issues.

Not sure how they get signings for a team that isn't even guaranteed any games as yet. Sounds like a furphy. You are not going to have any decent players signing for a team that doesn't exist. At best you might get an expression of interest.

I'll give them Brendan Teys as a freebie

@ Aussie Pride, that seems like the way the GWS Giants did it with their club initially, the scouted a lot of junior and tried building a culture within before their entrance into the AFL, I'm not sure what sort of league Huskies could play in if they're aren't in until 19/20 but I'm sure they could pick up a Gibbo or whatever... I'm not sure anyone will notice he isn't playing for the Bullets.

I believe getting enough people to buy three year memberships could be a major problem

Stop giving the Wildcats membership dept. ideas please.

Sorry I mean a three year ticket not membership.

Doesn't seem to have been a problem for the Taipans and the former Crocs either!

The southern huskies will probably be the first team that require you to buy three year memberships, this will definitely put it out of the price range of a lot of Tasmanians unfortunately.

I will ask him tomorrow night

regareding the TV audience issues:

If my team is playing at home I will try to be there. If they're playing away, I am watching it on TV/FOX. EVEN IF THEY GO TO TASMANIA, or is that out of signal/satalite range? I just don't get this part of it. Wherever new teams are situated. If they compete with "Big market" teams, the "Bm" supporters will still be viewing. So will the new "Small market" supporters who can't get to the game and when their team plays away.

Gate may suffer but you're not accessing a 50,000 seat stadium for a 3000 to 5000 attendance. So (I think) all is relatively relative.

And, IMO, Tasmanians play good ball at their relevant levels. They are usually near or at the top of SEABL (do they still run 2 Tassie teams?), were at least VERY entertaining in their NBL days of old(e) and, there's nothing to suggest that this venture from Tas should be any different.

Yes we have two seabl teams and Hobart gets the biggest crowds in the league with at least 3500 expected at the prelim unary final tomorrow night.

There are 4 SEABL teams in Tasmania. 3 have competed in this seasons finals.
2 are still in the Finals.
Chargers have Men and Women, Launceston women only and "Devonport" Men only.

Sorry I was only talking about the men's teams,i do know about the women's teams aswell.

Didn't get to speak to Hickey on Friday night but I did speak with several of his crew.
They have NEVER mentioned having 3 year memberships, EVER.
This appears to be something coming out of NBL headquarters for some weird reason. Rest assured the issue is known to the Huskies and will be addressed.

Huskies have their online store open.
Great to see.

https://store.southernhuskies.com.au/

A decision will be made on Monday whether to sell the DEC or not,they have received over 400 objections to it being sold.

400 objections to it being sold? Why?

Is 400 a lot in the scheme of how many had their say in this?

It feels rather high

Bear in mind people opposing the sale would be vastly more likely to participate in the process.

They would be the locals who don't want a busy hotel and entertainment precinct near their quiet little homes

I see this sort of thing happen in Tasmania all the time,that's why nothing big ever happens in Tasmania.I can see this not being sold to hydraplay just because a small group has opposed it,it happens all the time in Tasmania unfortunately.

Larry kestelman has said on some mainland radio station this morning that he rates our bid 10 out of 10 for our euthiastic approach.

Why would there need to be a bye?

2021, wow I'd rather Chaudari's team come in then and Huskies come in next season!

Why do they say on their Facebook page that's not something they plan on doing then?

Glenorchy city council votes to sell the DEC and Hydraplay are the only group that are interested in buying it,I can't see why they won't become the new owners in the near future.

Justin Hicky has questioned the 18.6 million dollar valuation of the DEC,he believes its too much.

I think the worst thing the NBL could do would be to turn back a quality Tasmanian bid and try and transplant another owner into Tassie. I don't think the folk here, who are right behind the Huskies idea, would take well to that. The reality is the NBL will need more teams, if you have two good bods use them both. Be stunned if the new team isn't in Melbourne though.

The Tommy Greer as GM signals strongly 1) LK loves Greer (we know this already) and 2) The new team will be based on Melbourne (expected)

I can see LK's hesitancy in supporting Tasmania which has potential longevity issues in terms of market size/sponsorship dollars. It's not ideal to have another Illawarra/Cairns size club - especially if LK's plan is for the NBL to be the second best league in the world requiring some serious $$$ to be spent on players.


The type of league LK is looking for, I think is suited to something like:

1. Brisbane
2. Sydney @ ICC
3. West Sydney @ Qudosbank Arena
4. Melbourne @ Melbourne Arena/Margaret Court Arena
5. South East Melbourne @ Melbourne Arena/Margaret Court Arena
6. Adelaide
7. Auckland Breakers
8. Wellington Saints
9. Perth Wildcats @ Perth Arena
10. Fremantle @ Perth Arena
--
+ strongest 2 small town clubs of:
Cairns
Tasmania
Illawarra

Why is that post so dumb... we all recognise that Kestleman wants to make money back on his investment so choosing smaller market regions like Geelong, Newcastle and Canberra won't be favoured over Melbourne, Perth and NZ having a second club each.

Is that what we would all like to see?

I think we'd all like to see a mixture of small and big markets for sure

proven twice now not to work

I agree KET and besides it's a full generation since Geelong, Newcastle and Canberra were in the league... the people you want to talk to with those potential bids aren't the same businessmen, it will be the kids that went to the games back in the day and have become successful businessmen and women and want to see their (old) home town have a team.

If you're targeting the businessmen of the past with connections to the NBL then you're going about it wrong because if they could have done something about getting a license then they would have in the days before LK set his standards for new licenses (you have to imagine that when BA ran things they would have much easier to persuade).

Also it's about getting juniors in said area to stay interested in basketball and want to see professional basketball in their city.... I don't know what that would be like in aforementioned areas but as far as I can see the only reason to get a second Perth team is for fans that think the games cost too much and if a Fremantle did get a license and play out of Challenge Stadium then you have that rich/poor cousin dynamic and Fremantle will be battling to stay afloat...

I think some didn't bother to read the entire post or misread the words "the type of league LK is looking for" as “the type of league I think will happen/want to happen”. Anonymous went into a bit of an irrelevant tirade because of not bothering to actually read what it was replying to.

The real crux of the point is that I think LK will be more interested in the business proposition of second teams in large capital city markets over teams in small towns which will have struggles in drawing the type of sponsorship revenue to be competitive in the level of talent LK wants; or have the quality of facilities available to them; or ability to draw decent television ratings nationally.

As I mentioned earlier, past failure in big city markets doesn’t mean it can’t work - as seen with the rise of Big Bash and A-League where previously the attendances and sponsor revenue was barely a scratch on what the NBL even had.

My point regarding Canberra and Cal is that Cal isn't going to the same rich old men that haven't got a team back in Canberra, he needs younger investors that would have been kids at the time of the Cannons and are interested in bringing a team back.

To me it doesn't make a difference if Geelong or Newcastle say they don't want to be in the NBL, if you get someone with enough money wanting to put an NBL team there then it could happen.

This post is about Tasmania and before last month I didn't know any of the factors facing a new Tasmania team besides a shithouse stadium and a divided state but you get the right rich person that can drum up support and a a buzz around an area, advertise it in a way that can appease the non followers too and it will be hard for the NBL to not agree to a new licence. Apologies for making what's been done already sound easy and I appreciate all the effort that those behind the bid have put in and I really hope the Huskies are in the NBL very soon

Basketball Australia to axe the seabel competition at the end of the 2019 season.

I've suggested twice on this site that if Darwin will ever get an NBL team then they need the white knight ala Chaudari so it's been mentioned but nobody has said anything which puzzles me as I get called out for other things on this site.

Wish there was more positive news regarding Huskies so I could stop talking shit just to keep this thread going.

Is this the largest posted thread in this site's history Isaac?

Not even close. There are SEABL and SBL threads that cracked the 1000-post mark.

This whole situation has be really intrigued, I can't wait to see what happens next, I'm still all for Tasmania getting a team and NBL making the most of the opportunities that other leagues have simply dismissed.

As for the $50m mark from poster above, how much is the Tasmania bid got in the bank?

Top definition

Cockwomble

A completely useless person that spouts constant bullshit

That person is such a Cockwomble

#womble#cock#prick#dickhead#arsehole

A bit harsh, but really funny when you say it in the right context...

"Whether the magic number is $50M, $10M, or $100M, what's clear is that the Choudhari bid has it, and the Huskies don't, or at least not yet."

Above statement seems true enough but on the other hand, I imagine that Choudhari has not amassed his fortune by spending just 'cos he can. So as much as he has, I am sure he knows how to look after it. If this NBL venture is not "worth it" for him and his business interests, is he likely to lose interest and go chase another "whim"? Sounds like he can certainly afford to.

As for the Tas bid, right from the start, Hickey and consortium have promoted their business plan as self sustaining. Sounds like a lot more riding on the success of this bid and conequently, I just "feel" that this bid has more to it than a fat bank account.

I honestly have no axe to grind with the fat bank account (would looooove one myself) and think that the plan to locate in SEMelb is stunning. The facilities, local expertise, local involvement et al are all their. The owner does not have to be there to run things. The organisation will almost run itself. Because of this, and the owner's other sporting/business interests, I find it feasable that that owner may well turn his attention elsewhere, possibly as he may have done to get involved with the NBL????? No, I have NOT heard any rumours, just saying.

Can't see that happening in Tas, too much depends on it.

Personally, I welcome both. Now any takers for Wellington, Canberra, Newcastle.....

They've told sources that they are in no rush, are they waiting for the naysayers to settle down so they can put this through or as they just determined not to look like they are being bullied into making a decision?

They won't lose $1 million in cash on it this year, part of that will be operating and a large part depreciation, which won't be a concern for them if they're going to sell it. My understanding is they're not asking $18.5 million for it, rather that was the property valuation they received, though someone closer to the situation may know more?

As I said, much of the $1 million is depreciation, so if the council know they are going to sell it another year of depreciation won't hurt them. Hope it is sorted though, the council want to sell it, Hickey wants to buy it, I'd hate to see poor communication or negotiation derail it and everyone ends up worse off.

Look like LK doesn't want them, so they are cooked.

Hickey got a mention in the local paper today suggesting that the GCC have gone silent. Clearly they have. However watch this space soon. Hopefully good news.

Don't worry Huskypup, I'm more certainly watching this space mate and eagerly await some good news, the hype generated by this bid has me excited and I want to see it going somewhere.