TrevorTorrance
Earlier this year
https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/41339014/nbl-meets-wa-government-regarding-hoopsfest-expansion
So how much truth in a 2nd WA Team? Challeneg Stadium/HBF is a nice 2nd backup stadium it seems now- but who and where would the team be based?
KET
Earlier this year
Really it sounds more like a "eh not keen" from LK unless the Eagles or perhaps Freo dive in on a franchise.
Rivalry is great but LK is right it's hard to manufacture that, atleast south east Melbourne is a massive basketball spot in its own right.
TrevorTorrance
Earlier this year
I did hear Laurence Escalante name be thrown around as the owner but he was at the F1 this weekend and couldn't meet the board.
Luuuc
Earlier this year
HBF sucks. If they can't do RAC then they shouldn't bother.
i.e. they shouldn't bother
KET
Earlier this year
You'd imagine GC plus a second Sydney side or Canberra or Darwin or Newcastle make up the next two expansion spots.
LV
Earlier this year
I reckon they shouldn't even be thinking about "the next two".
They should be thinking 24, maybe 36 months ahead and ascertaining feasibility for 1 new club. If it happens, great. If not, no worries.
One new club every 5 years is a reasonable pace. But the priority should be keeping existing clubs in the league and building what we already have. Expansion for expansion's sake is counterproductive.
Ben
Earlier this year
Second Perth team seems terrible.
Gold Coast back in 2-3 seasons, that's a given.
After that. Canberra? I don’t know if the membership/sponsorship/interest base is there though.
Likewise a possible Townsville re-entry, which would be even less likely it seems.
As a supporter of the league, I’m happy with the number of teams rn and don’t care too much for expansion talks.
spEKTre
Earlier this year
It would fail within 3 seasons, Perth Wildcats took a fair bit to get going early on but has built a substantial fan base. To start out from scratch who are you going to recruit as fans ?
Anon
Earlier this year
2nd team will happen within 10 years. There are 2 in the next 4 years.
Splinky
Earlier this year
HBF is way better now than it was in Challenge era. Plus the viewing angles and closeness to the action is way better. I'd love to see a second team in Perth but I think the base would need to be Joondalup.
Perthworld
Earlier this year
I'd love to see a second team in Perth
pitergreyyy23
Two months ago
I agree, it's hard to create an artificial rivalry if there isn't a solid base and interest from local fans. Melbourne's southeast is really famous for its basketball culture, so it's quite the market. But without support from a strong franchise like the Eagles or perhaps Freo, interest will be limited. The league relies on local talent and infrastructure, which is important for development, but building a new club requires more than just location. Having strong rivals also adds significance, and it would be great to see big-name teams involved. If this happens, rivalries can form naturally and attract more spectators.
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