paul
Years ago
A letter from new Tigers CEO Michael Slepoy says:
"We will be looking to take multiple games to Hisense Arena next season, with the view of turning our games into world class events, more than just a basketball game!"
Good news if true. Mixing games between the Cage and Hisense gives a good balance between sustainability and trying to achieve growth.
someone went straight from his email to the forums!
hisense is terrible for basketball, always seems too spaced out even when its full
Where were they meant to go inbetween? The local Mall? This is great news, especially if the TV thing one day becomes realistic, as the games look great on TV from Hisense... Cage looks like a dirty old cage!
HO
Years ago
"we will be looking to"....
read, we will ask for a quote, roll around on the floor hysterically when we get it, and then keep all our games at the Cage.
HoldenV8
Years ago
This is good news but I have to agree that Hisense isn't the best venue for basketball.
Its all really until Melbourne Park is re-developed. Word is that the Tigers are looking closely at moving to Margaret Court Arena which with the work to be done will seat 7,500 and have a (retractable?) roof which would be almost a perfect size for them.
Boomer
Years ago
This is because the new Melbourne team are going to play at the 3100 seat State Sport Centre.
Mick
Years ago
What a joke of a franchise.
They play in a venue called the Hockey & Netball centre. 'Nuff said.
Under Seamus' dictatorship, they would NEVER play there again. Sent them almost broke the first time. Foolish mistake if they do go back there. Way to much money to rent for limited financial return.
Of course under the new ownership they would be hetting quotes etc to see if it's possible.
Cheap rent and high ticket prices at the Netball Center makes perfect business sense.
paul
Years ago
I would say playing the majority of games at the Cage makes perfect sense, but playing all games there limits growth. Melbourne need a bigger supported and membership base which isnt realistic at the Cage.
Finding the right balance is what it's all about. If four games there bring more people to Tigers games while passing the break even point in crowds (approx 5K depending on the deal) then that would be a success.
HoldenV8
Years ago
From what I've heard the Tigers are seriously looking at the re-developed 7,500 capacity Margaret Court Arena at Melbourne Park as their home court once the upgrades (including a roof) are complete in time for the 2014 Australian Open.
Sure the rent will be higher than at The Cage but being smaller than both Rod Laver and Hisense Arena's means the rent wouldn't be as high as for those and it makes sense really, especially with over twice the spectator capacity than they have now.
Last season the Tigers had a low of just over 2000 people.
Maybe with Seamus gone, people might start to return to the Tigers. Clearly a crowd of 2000+ is no business case to look to expand the crowd capacity.
paul
Years ago
If you actually examine it anon, that crowd of 2100 was the game after McPeake sacked Ubaka. There was a clear protest vote and Im glad there was - that was one of the triggers for change. The rest of the season they averaged around 95% capacity (with six sellouts), obviously a strong case for expanding capacity.
Good idea, go to a venue that has twice the capaciry and most likely twice the rent and see how long your club survives. 6 sellouts in a 3500 seat stadium, really does highlight why this expansion talk is foolish.
paul
Years ago
You do understand they are only looking at playing some games at Melbourne Park?
so have 2 homes? You think that the netball Centre will be happy with them playing at an opposition venue? You are naive. Even more stupid.
They fill their home venue 6 times a season and now want to play elsewhere with arguably smaller crowds and for more cost. Crazy.
Temerity
Years ago
the biggest problem with the tigers is that half the basketball community are told to bash the crap out of the Tigers every friday night so why would they want to then turnaround and support them? I think you will find most people support the new team when it comes into the league in 2013
Wildcat Fan
Years ago
I've heard a lot about the Tigers juniors and the rivalry amongst the different associations, and how this negatively affects the relationship between the Melbourne Tigers NBL team and the rest of the basketball community in Melbourne.
I realize this will be difficult to implement and will take time, but why don't the Tigers (NBL) distance themselves from their junior club or break their ties completely?
There just seems like there is no way for the Tigers to gain a bigger support base unless they rid themselves of their link to the junior club as all the other clubs hate the Tigers!
Maybe they need to change their name to "Melbourne Basketball" and have a tiger as it's mascot only... It's a tough one to fix but they should do something to improve the situation.
paul
Years ago
Thanks for calling me naive and stupid. Perhaps put a name to it so we can discuss that once it plays out, one way or the other?
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