However, in December 2011 he was declared bankrupt with $10 in his account and reportedly more than $8 million owed to creditors.

Wonder how long he will commentate for...

Didn't they ditch Rucker when he had the same problems?

You mean thats not his natural hair colour??

^ Ball worthy. lol

- well this heading certainly was misleading, So this is just about Hammer's well know money issues, - ho hum.

I thought that they had finally gotten Barry Barnes to testify that Hammer wasn't the final great hope and best player of the 2000 Boomers Olympic team ( in exchange for personal immunity from prosecution for falsely claiming to be a better coach than Adrian Hurley), and Heal was finally going to be charged with impersonating a point guard.

Bugger

Could be looking at some time in prison for these offences if found guilty.

Looks like a big problem looming for Heal. But he has to eat and he hasn't been found guilty yet.

Agree with ^ but I recall Heal was tried and hung on here before over betting and nothing happened with it.

Agree with ^ but I recall Heal was tried and hung on here before over betting and nothing happened with it.

"I'm sure it wasn't intentional."

How do you unintentionally defraud three different entities of a quarter of a million bucks?

In my previous professional role I've had a look at several start-ups, mostly exploration companies in WA. Everyone involved has their snouts in trough that's for sure.
I saw one company where the shares were issued at a notional 20 cents each, but directors and seed capital providers bought in at as little as 1/8 of a cent. Brokers and advisors were paid "consultancy" fees to bring in investors, and the directors all pocketed juicy salaries. A lot of the money was used to buy tenements from their mates, who made huge profits. I honestly expected it to fall in a heap, and had it done so, questions would have been asked, and those involved could easily have faced similar issues to Heal.
But in the end, another company came in and bought them out, paying over 40 cents a share. So whilst the key players made out like bandits, even the public investors doubled their money.

Point is, there is a lot of greed and profiteering associated with start-ups, everyone gets their snout into the trough, and everyone is happy until the shit hits the fan.

Lel.

Heal is gonzo from NBL

The amount doesn't matter, it's the intent. When I was 7 I stole lollies from a shop. I got slapped on the wrist - same as the guy who evaded police whilst high on ice and killed two innocent people a few weeks ago.

In saying that anon he keeps finding plenty of clowns willing to invest big money in his business ventures despite all the alarms that should go off if they did an ounce of due diligence.

Heal been sacked from commentary yet? If so why not?

Rucker only $20K and got canned.

I'll say this about Heal never liked him or whatever wouldn't trust the bloke to pay me back if I lent him $5 but he was enjoyable to watch as a player despite his on-court behaviour and I think he's actually a very good commentator. The best going around the NBL in fact.

I suspect the NBL knows that not only being a good commentator but that like Gaze he's a very recognisable face for the sport in this country to those who don't follow the NBL much and he has value in holding onto on the off chance he's cleared. Rucker not so much although his commentary was good too.

Heal doing commentary on the United/Kings game tonight.

THE folks at Fox Sports ... hypocritical much?

Accused of committing a $20,000 fraud against the Gladstone Amateur Basketball Association, former NBL legend Derek Rucker is contesting the charges.

But in the meantime, Fox has removed him from the commentary, despite most believing he was the best at it last season.

Cut to United-Kings and there's Heal back on the call, yet just this month charged with three counts of fraud relating to an alleged $750,000 scam. Heal hasn't entered a plea.

I'm saying if it's good enough to have Rucker removed off air, then Heal also should not be on air. And if Heal IS to be on air, then that's fine. So should Rucker.

Consistency? I suspect the NBL Games Review Panel is running Fox Sports' commentary decision-making.

^^ all 3 mentioned are ordinary IMO.
Too much backslapping and talk about themselves