Isaac
Years ago

Shane Heal writes about NBL expansion

Once expansion does happen, and it will, the interesting thing will be how the league helps new clubs be competitive. The AFL obviously bent over backwards for their expansion plans with Gold Coast and the Giants in Sydney by giving them favourable conditions to recruit. The draft was another way that these young clubs stacked their young talent and whilst this strategy does take some time for the players to develop.... everyone can see it is working year by year. Basketball however doesn't have the draft, the time to wait nor the money that the AFL has to invest, so a solution is needed for more parity across the league from day one. If the points system stays (and I think it has to until clubs have proven that they can stick to a hard salary cap for years to come) then expansion teams are behind the 8-ball immediately. I say this because of the loyalty points that are awarded for players that stay with the same club for 5 years. This is a terrific rule and both players and clubs should be rewarded for longevity and stability at the same team. Fans get to know players and constant changes aren’t good for clubs or fans. Perth have really led the way and benefited from the management and poise to build a club rather than trying to buy success.

Conversely, the Wildcats are a good example of how new clubs will struggle to compete. They have quality, toughness, leadership and class that have made them the envy and yardstick of the NBL and they deserve their success. However, the expansion teams need to be able to compete pretty quickly if they are going to attract sponsorship dollars, bums on seats and the general support of the regions. Obviously ownership and management structures will greatly contribute to this and the ability to integrate into and support the community will also play big parts. But that being said fans and sponsors alike won’t want to see their teams flogged for years before they get a chance to realistically compete for playoff spots.
Full text on his site

Nothing groundbreaking that you haven't read elsewhere (third import for expansion teams, need for parity, etc) but positive and supportive of more teams even if it means starting in smaller stadiums.

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Anonymous  
Years ago

I wonder if he agrees with NBL expansion to Wellington? ;)

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Anonymous  
Years ago

should new expansion teams be player points exempt for the first season and get an individual player discount on anyone who signs on for more than a season first up?

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Isaac  
Years ago

He says pretty clearly at the end that he's been connected with a few of the expansion teams in rumours but his opinions stand regardless. I thought he made the right choice in stating that plainly.

Of course anyone on the side of the players (ex-player, coach, etc) is going to support more job opportunities.

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Libertine  
Years ago

FFA provided for WSW in the A-League to have 7 imports as opposed to 5, took ownership of the franchise for two years to ensure stability and employ 'football people' in the various positions, lead recruiting etc.

Not a bad model for the NBL.

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Isaac  
Years ago

should new expansion teams be player points exempt for the first season and get an individual player discount on anyone who signs on for more than a season first up?
Points exemption for a season probably wouldn't be enough - maybe 2-3 seasons amongst other things. They really need to make sure new teams get their roots deep in the ground so they keep growing.

No points cap for 2-3 years plus three imports - both essential IMO. Then up to the clubs in question to balance the use of imports with local players to build community rapport.

If one of the imports was coming up from a local ABL-level club (or NZ NBL for a second NZ team), that would be good.

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Mick  
Years ago

Everyone in the nbl is on 1 or 2 year deals so drastic concessions arent required. AFL has no free agency, dont forget...

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Anonymous  
Years ago

Does the NBA contribute financially to the NBL at all?
Baseball for example in Australia is partly funded by the US MLB. I would have thought a top NBL league would benefit the NBA in the long run so they'd want to put some $ in.
Some NBA pocket change would go a long way.

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Isaac  
Years ago

Mick, disagree completely. Teams are pushing two year deals right now to limit player losses after this season.

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HO  
Years ago

Really Mick?

http://www.afl.com.au/afl-hq/the-afl-explained/free-agency

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