Agree, 100%. So, do we do nothing? that's my fear.

NBL gets better, as it will. It does have the money.

State league teams will decline. They don't.

Serious prospects will have to go elsewhere to improve (Europe or college in the US become better pathways again).

I honestly believe that real longevity begins with grass routes and progresses to elite. It rarely jumps to the top. so we do need these improving levels to continue that progress.

"Have a play-off season featuring the top 2 teams of each of the state leagues. to be played between state league comps and NBL.“

Wasn't that the genesis of the NBL? A national championship with invitees from the top of the state leagues. Held over a long weekend I think, in Newcastle. Then in 1979 the NBL season started, again with a finals weekend and invitees from state leagues. SA had West Adelaide and Glenelg as their teams.

I think a similar championship weekend could work, with the host city changing on a rotating basis. Perhaps the host state could have extra spot/s for club team/s?

Have always liked the idea of a 2nd tier league.
My thoughts would be something like:
Announce 16 licences.
- Larger state based clubs apply alone or combine bids for a licence. Or the Universities could apply for one.
- Keep the competition Under 23.
- Have them play at smaller venues, with the occasional curtain raiser to an NBL game.
- Make each team's entry on the proviso they partner with a local university to offer spots to their athletes.
- Run during Summer, same time as NBL, collection of best young talent in the country. Wont interfere with state based comps.
- Possibility of a draft for NBL teams after a few years.
- May be an alternative for some instead of college, if the US is not for them, as well as the best young talent we have already here, staying showcase their talents.

Who pays for the travel around the country?

"the money flows up. It doesn't trickle down."

How much flows up? I found the 2014/15 BA Annual Report. A bit over $10 million turnover, $6.6 million of which was grant funding (I.e., Federal funding). $1.7 million of income was from membership fees. So about 17% of BA's money flowed upwards in 14/15.

Couldn’t find the 17/18 year Annual Report but the numbers should be a bit different as Olympia have been and gone and NBL is no longer run by BA.

- Anonymous. Good contribution. The point being, treat like a development league for the NBL. It's been written here about the lack of opportunity for young basketballers to get a chance in the NBL because of the lack of spots with only 8 teams, 3 filled with imports, and another half dozen with experienced Aussies.

- Melbourne Boy. The clubs. That's why I mentioned better for the bigger clubs, or the Universities themselves, to enter. If it's a developmental league, you'd save money on not having imports etc. Could also be a boon for that club, as it would be known that they would have a clear pathway to the next level, attracting more junior talent.

I understand cricket converted their state second XI tournament into an under 23 only competition and it was a disaster and they wish they had never done it.

Not much of a cricket fan, so can't comment on that. But the TAC Cup & Toyota Cup for both AFL and NRL respectfully seem to be very well supported and hold an important place in the structure of the game. NCAA College basketball even could be considered a development league, considering that's where the majority of NBA players are drafted from, the players are for the most part 23 or under (College age). Although I know this is a popular enough competition in its own right.
The A-League clubs also have youth teams that compete in their own league.
On a lower level, being a Victorian, the Youth Champ Division in the Big V is a great competition. The idea with this would be condensing that talent, nationwide, and be on full display for the NBL teams to pick the next generation of players.

AFL doesn't have a genuine 2nd tier comp. That essentially falls to the state leagues. Not a true "second division" of the AFL.

While I'm all for a second divison league, I don't think it would garner the support of a new league with new franchises starting up. To use existing clubs would be to the detriment of that club entering a State League team, as they'd have to field a team year round, with imports and other players salaries chewing up limited funds. I mean, would Dandenong field a team in the new Elite league, then a similar team in second division NBL ??

If you treated the Development league similar to the way the NCAA do it, offering university places, and focusing on the Development, eliminating player payments all together, surely that would take away a large chunk of the costs.

I think if there was a perfect platform, with no issues, it'd already be in place. I'm sure my suggested format would have it's issues, but I'm sure they could all be figured out.

Besides, those knocking the idea haven't exactly been too forthcoming with proposals of their own. Looking forward to hearing them.

Sheffield Shield is the national competition, second tier is the state district comps.

No, state second XIs (now Futures League) is the second tier, bringing together the best players from grade cricket that aren't in the state team.

Stronger state leagues makes more sense, SEABL is outdated and under funded.

The possibility of a true state tournament (aka NCAA STYLE) makes more sense, clubs must play 3 out of state games scheduled on their own terms with teams (non-conference play) then top 2 from each state going into a tournament style knockout play over Australia Day weekend?? or create a calendar point that doesn't conflict with the NBL.

Put more money into the state leagues, like cricket instead of trying to create a national second tier in a country which doesn't support it.

VIC/TAS (highest tassie team autobid) 3
NSW/ACT 2
SA 2
QLD 2
WA 2
NT 2
There is your 12 team knockout you could have Tassie/NT due to size be involved in a play in game to reduce it to 8 team knock out potentially

It's outdated the idea in this current cost climate that clubs can successfully and financially run a 2nd Tier Comp is laughable.

There is no money .... no cash, no cash here.

A model that makes teams play within their state instead of travelling interstate, even a semi-pro league that is more conference based has a better chance of long term survival

the SEABL had faults and not all of them were BA related, the BA is about the national interest not about assisting the payment of a few imports. BA and BV & BSA and BNSW and all state bodies aim is ultimately should be to create Olympians not run semi-pro or pro leagues.

You want a 2nd Tier National Pro League - FRANCHISE IT!