The article says they were looking to include other NBL teams with the chance of expanding teams the following year if successful. There is the potential to include most NBL clubs as a interim league during the offseason.

I expect the competition wont be very competitive though. SOunds like the asia cup and commonwealth games to me - just another excuse to bully minnows. But it doesnt hurt to cash in on all of the basketball money in asia.

Very good Idea.

Great idea! Anything to lift the profile of the nbl at the moment. I'm not sure nbl teams would be bullying minnows...

I'd love to see this done right. Pitting Aussie teams against overseas opponents is a great opportunity to generate interest from a broader section of the population. Combine that with a huge potential audience in Asia to market products to and all of a sudden you have a product that could attract big sponsorship dollars.

If the Wildcats owners can put together a polished TV product and generate good revenue, maybe in time it could become an NBL product that would generate much needed funds to run the league and support regional clubs?

It would be a great first step, let's hope they can get it done.

I'd be very happy if this happens this year as stated in the article. Hoping to here more about it in the coming weeks.

If this is Perth, Melbourne and Sydney then I would not be confident the owners are doing it in the best interest of the League.

Even if it was just the Wildcats playing teams in asia & dominating/play well. You'd think that would generate some kind of interest. People would hit the internet & search Wildcats/NBL, could lead to something.

Kudos to marvin! The future of the NBL needs this type of exposure and injection of sponsorship dollars to ensure its survival and to thrive again. NBL take note

Just speculating, but this could have something to do with the Boomers withdrawing from the Tourist WA series against China.

The WA government is very keen to showcase Perth to the Chinese TV audience.
(Personally, I'm not so sure that watching basketball on TV will make rich Chinese want to holiday in Perth, but they seem to think it works.)

It's a good initiative, and with the Cats involved they should be able to tap into the existing fan base to get good crows, possibly even playing at the Arena.

That said, whilst this would be great for Perth, the Cats, and any other team invited. It's only going to exacerbate the growing gulf between top and bottom NBL teams.

Yeah, he just volunteers to be on the board because he hates everyone and wants to see the league die...

Uwe Blab-you said it. He gets on the board because he hates everyone.. Option 2 - to take advantage of being in a position of power. Get with reality.

At least Marvin is doing something, the rest of the NBL board seem to be sitting around making bad decisions.

The entire board is doing that !

Anon, that isn't a reality.

Bullshit.

AFAIK the plan has been about for a fair while. The suggestion has been the premier team in the Asian League and a lesser one in the NBL. Far form a new concept.

This is new in that it sounds like an invitational pre-season tournament, something easier to organise than a champions league but which could lay the groundwork for it happening later on.

Maybe, but who will pay for it?. Last one I knew of had 3 imports per side.

Broadcasters and sponsors usually pay for these things. Massive potential television audiences in China and the Philippines.

Yes they have queued up to view one of the the "best professional basketball competitions in the world", Paul for years.
That's the crap the NBL still are touting now it will be a 7 team comp next season. Utter rubbish.
It will be a mix of teams from across Asia and a hotpotch of teams and players. Many of them never playing as a team before. + 3 imports as well. Wank.

I think you're confusing the proposal Harry, it's for a short tournament not a league. Hopefully it gets up, could lead to bigger and better things, or even just a regular tournament that brings new revenue and gives the NBL a foot in the Asian door.

Singapore Slingers gave us a foot into that Asian door a while back, as I recall. Ended up shooting itself though...