Anon, your comments have little credence and you show yourself to be very naive.
For a start, Keneally has put her name to this. She has a strong relationship with the Australian party and would know exactly what she is doing. She points out the inadequacy of the ASC refusing to fund professional basketball but the Government turning around weeks later and simply pouring money into football. This is 8 million dollars to help start a football team!! More than BA get in a whole year from the ASC.
Second, the definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing and expect a different result. BA has been non-controversial (nice and sucky even) to Government for a long long time. Where has it got them? It is time to change up both the approach and language.
Third, you ask why basketball is where it is at? I'll tell you basketball generally is in very good shape - that is a provable and sustainable comment. Participation is still doing superbly, on a national basis. Our international teams and athletes continue to perform well. I cannot remember the last time BA was broke and had to go to the Government for cash to make-up for a black hole in their finances.
Contrast this to football, who have had three major government instigated reviews in the last seven years, the last one reporting that FFA was something of a fat cat that needed to be trimmed back. They blew 45 million on a disastrous bid. According to the BA release, they got 7.5 million to fill a black hole just this year.
What is the message? It is clear that if you are incompetent, poorly managed, and fiscally incapable, then the government will give you cash to help you out.
It has been reported here before that FFA has received bucket loads more cash than any other sport in Australia in direct operational assistance over the last 5 - 7 years - and that on top of the bid money.
Squeaky wheel my friend - sometimes you have to let your participant base know that you care. Thumbs up to BA for doing this.
