Anonymous
Years ago
Is there any chance at all that they can return next season? Surely there must be someone out there that can get the ball rolling. Can the state government help? If I were the bidders, I would approach multiple businesses daily to look for equity partners. Surely something can be done?
Isaac
Years ago
Anon, search the forum. So many past threads already about this.
sitiveni
Years ago
Dont hold your breathe. No one wants to pull money out of their pockets for an NBL side in brisbane. If the NBL had a similar business model to all other major sports, you will find a a different story. businesses dont want to simply lose money each year. The basketball business model is extremely risky.
For those that dont know keep an eye on Perth in a few years time. we will see how healthy they are financially.
Not having a go but isn't all private investment in sport risky? People are burning thru money in the A-league and investors still sign up there.
I thought the current NBL business model is suited to minimising losses relative to other Australian sport leages.
sitiveni
Years ago
Anon, sorry mate but your wrong. yeh all sport investments arent really investments at all but with most other sports in australia, you receive $$$ from the governing body. the pie is shared, put it this way, i put my $3mill which is needed for the bullets and then i have to pay for the salaries of players and everyone. its up to me to make the business model work with venue, ticketing, merchandise, sponsorship etc. the reality is i will be bleeding money each and every year in the turn of $1m plus and i aint going to do this. The league doesnt put a cent into the nbl franchises.
I am in the process of buying some clubs which i would like to turn into a sport/community club and then i might be in a position to where that can fund an NBL team in brisbane or if the league want to share some funds from the TV rights then i will be interested.
You might receive $$ form the governing body but in most clubs the expenses far exceed that of running an NBL club. There is a lot more help setting up in other sports and in the running but the risk of big losses long term is also greater in many of them.
So sitiveni, are you saying that the Bullets are likely to not be back in the near future, if at all? And you are saying Perth will not survive?
The league is really in trouble then. The longer there is no team in Brisbane the worse off the NBL will be. If one other team was to fold in the near future then the league is gone. It is already boring with just 8 teams competing. Hard to believe the Bullets averaged more than 9,000 Fans per game in 1991 and had large sponsership deals with XXXX and Fosters in the last 80's and early 90's which were the envy of other sports.
The 9000 crowds you speak of were high because of all the freebies that were always given at Bullets games in those days.
sitiveni
Years ago
Yep im saying no bullets or sorry brisbane team for sometime yet. With regards to perth. i will keep what i know to myself because knowing someone from here, they will copy and paste what i say and send to Chuck which will be passed onto Perth and they can put two and two together and know who i am.
Put it this way, dont be surprised if Vlahov and Longley become owners again or they become a community model team.
The League needs to share the pie. even $500k each year towards the salary cap would make things happen so much easier and im confident us getting $3m in the bank will happen overnight
So you have obviously discussed this with Kenneally and crew? They must want Brisbane back too?
sitiveni
Years ago
Anon, look who is behind the brisbane bid team. if you dont know then go do your research. here ill tell you. its BQ, BA and a private equity firm who wants to be nameless. this is the first time BQ and BA have got behind it, but i cant tell you how much involvement or support BQ and BA have given or are involved.
I believe BBALL in australia is heading in the right direction with the discussions ive had, but we are coming back from the scrap heap really so its going to take time.
paul
Years ago
"I believe BBALL in australia is heading in the right direction with the discussions ive had, but we are coming back from the scrap heap really so its going to take time."
Now youve got to the crux of it, it's a long climb. Where Perth go will depend on how much the bums on seats they are now generating turns into commercial support.
How can Perth be in trouble? They are averaging over 11,000 people per game at Perth Arena. From what I am reading, it is suggesting that Jack Bendat will sell the club. Why would an 86 year old man, that loves the club do that?
Sitiveni
Years ago
Im not saying they r in trouble what I said was don't be surprised if new owners r sort soon. But then all u know everything because u speak to all the owners on a regular basis. I wouldn't put a timeline on it. It could be 5 years before a Brisbane team comes in.
I'm not suggesting I know everything at all. Just asking the question why an 86 yr old multimillionaire would sell a club he loves?
paul
Years ago
Bendat burned a lot of money turning the Wildcats around and his stated goal is leaving them as a self-sufficient club.
They have made strides from what I can tell but they need the big crowds they are now getting to deliver big commercial contracts to get them ahead of the game.
If you are relying on each year's financial performance that isnt an overly secure position if something unforeseen happens and the league cant bail you out. I dont think Bendat wants to leave the club in that position.
Perth is certainly a place that could do a very good community model given the level of support.
Yay for Sitiveni - savior of the NBL who knows everything and everyone
Hey how'd you go with the Blaze when you asked for their contact numbers as you had $ to invest?
Sitiveni, I appreciate your feedback and was not being rude, just asking the question. I guess Bendat at 86 won't be around for too much longer anyway. Bless the old boy for what he has done for Perth.
Just to add, I remember way before the Wildcats moved to Perth Arena, an interview with Jack and he said he can't wait to see 10,000 people at each game. You could hear the media interviewers snickering and quietly laughing. Even I admit, I had a quiet smile. Now they are averaging over 11,000 per game and have over 8,000 members. I guess it proves anything is possible
sitiveni
Years ago
Yeh and if i put money into the blaze i would be out of pocket. the ship was already sunk once i spoke to Bill.
Wildcats could be averaging 50,000 crowds, you dont know what financial position people are in or other committments outside of bball.
Anon what have you done to improve basketball in australia. at least i have put money into sponsoring at all levels, at least im trying to get a team back into brisbane. where ever you are, come to brisbane, ill introduce you to the other board members and you can see for yourself the details and challenges not just we face in brisbane with our Shitty economy here but other franchises and the league itself.
i got to admit, i thought it was in a much better shape until we have gone through this journey and key stake holders have opened up to us. shown us the books.
Really appreciate reading this mate, best of luck with it all!
When you spoke to Bill?
As in Bill at the Blaze? Sorry but there is/was no Bill at the Blaze!
paul
Years ago
I think 'Bill' is William Robson who was the Blaze's administrator.
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