D2.0
Years ago
Where does the future (viewership) of the NBL lie?
I know I've asked this before, but please bear with me.
The NBL was moved to avoid competition with the AFL & NRL.
Personally, for me, it works well, as I am also an AFL fan. Back when they competed, I prioritised NBL, but now I don't have to.
(Mind you, I still pretty much ignore the AFL pre-season.)
Clearly, if they see the future in those terms, then it needs to stay where it is.
But I keep hearing talk about increasing O/S interest, and selling our viewing product.
Regardless of how much "interest" there is, its not going anywhere when we compete directly with all the other major leagues.
There is a huge, ready-made market, right there in the USA, if the timing was right. During the season, between all the viewing options, there is a saturation of games available to the fan. Americans are sports mad, following not only major leagues, but collegiate, and even high-school sport. Now obviously once the BBL season ends, there is an abundance of other sport, but maybe for the BBL diehard we could be an option.
Furthermore the same holds true if we're chasing viewers in China or elsewhere. We need to be able to offer a continuance of BBL coverage, rather than trying to compete with the NBA and other premier leagues.
The other issue of course, is that for Australian diehards, it currently offers the opportunity to follow State Leagues during the off-season.
