Anonymous
Years ago
Let's get it done. We need a petition to bring back these household names.
Melbourne Tigers and South East Melbourne Magic.
Much better.
Who cares if tigers had a toxic culture. Can’t be as toxic as United’s. Let’s be honest- Phoenix is a silly name.
Make it happen LK.
No, no, no.
It wasn't about a toxic culture, it was about brand appeal. The Tigers brand simply didn't appeal to many who have to play against them at rep level week in week out. It was a cap on their potential supporter base.
Could get a million signatures but its never going to happen.
Alex
Years ago
I messaged LK it better sink in, we need a petition guys!
Alex is feeling the isolation more than most. Thinking of you bud.
The Tigers had a toxic culture? Are you serious?
LoveBroker
Years ago
Tigers never left, their banners still hang at United home games.
Games never been better than last season. Even nba clubs change names and move cities. It happens sometimes to get progress.
Alex
Years ago
I think if Phoenix chose Magic especially with the their history, they would of had more members.
They could have cashed in on the Tiger King fandom
South East Melbourne Phoenix barely get 3,000 spectators a game.
I agree, but you gotta let it go I'm afraid. There is zero continuity in the NBL. So many teams have come and gone and come back again and then gone again. So many imports have cycled through for 1 or 2 years on 2 different teams then gone forever. All the best Aussies are playing overseas - maybe some start in NBL but they're gone too. The uniforms change every season or two. There is nothing that connects the league to its history. It's like most of it never happened.
KET
Years ago
South East Melbourne Phoenix barely get 3,000 spectators a game.
Bol
Years ago
Even if you loved them or hated them i remembered as a kid the magic and the tigers were great brands with passionate supporters which even as an opposition supporter i really liked. Now United feels like it has no identity of its own and its branding is unappealing also.
LoveBroker
Years ago
The Magic were the team I feared most.
Mackinnon, Rose, Ronaldson and I think Smith, those teams they had were damn good.
With participation so high, why are there low spectator numbers? AFL take a large percentage but surely there's families that prefer basketball. Is it cost? Politics with no club loyalty?
I can't workout why netball isn't a Spector powerhouse, such high participation in juniors but nowhere near to football.
AFL and NBL spectator number do not have any direct correlation as one sport is winter and one is summer so already the poster loses all credibility
Bol, are you from Melbourne?
I think for people outside of Melbourne the Tigers is a great brand. But in Melbourne having a team that plays locally put a ceiling on support. The brand was hindering growth.
United isn't steeped in the history the Tigers had, that was a feature, not a flaw. And judging by the numbers it has worked.
Tigers are more likely to be back then Magic, how about North Melbourne Giants?
Can't believe Sydney Kings got their license back.
I can see the Razorbacks coming back to the NBL because Western Sydney is booming and still growing. Look at WSW in A-League, if they can get support the Razorbacks are more likely then Tigers or Magic.
ME
Years ago
Phoenix to the Magic, yes. But United to Tigers, no. Phoenix doesn't really have a fan-base yet whereas the Magic still has a very loyal fanbase; whereas United is successful as they are.
Yinka Dare
Years ago
The whole Phoenix name was a terrible idea to start with. Not sure how that got approved. It doesn't appeal to anyone, especially kids. Should have just used magic or a better name.
Keep united as united
Alex
Years ago
I remember South East Melbourne having survey for the public to come up with the teams name.
I have a feeling Tommy Greer and the owners didn't listen any of the public’s names.
Slopernator
Years ago
Were there issues with NBA copyright and using Magic? As in the same issue that prevented the GC from using 'Heat' and TVL changing from Suns to Crocs? I'd imagine at the very least there might have been a royalty payment that the owners were trying to avoid?
Is that because your suggestion wasn't selected Alex?.
koberulz
Years ago
As in the same issue that prevented the GC from using 'Heat' and TVL changing from Suns to Crocs?The Suns thing was made up. Never actually happened.
I have also seen the Tiger banners hanging at Melbourne United home games.
Jeez the Razorbacks. PLease no. Pretty sure they had a published crowd once of 900. Whoch would have been an exageration of 700.
Maxx
Years ago
Ah yes, the good ole days...
Saints, Cannons, Spectres, Bearcats, Falcons, Bruins, Supersonics, Cats, Devils, Warriors , Westars, Eagles and the Tigers...
Except in the ole days the Tigers were from Glenelg, and later on they were from Launceston.. :)
Who remembers the City of Sydney Astronauts..
Launceston Tigers? Piss off. You really know nothing about the ol day just guessing it seems. Launceston Casino City. Keep trying...
Perthworld
Years ago
Casino City were the sponsors. Tigers was Launceston's nickname.
Perthworld
Years ago
They used the format
Perthworld
Years ago
They used the format of location/sponsor rather than location/nickname to be more specific, but they were definitely the Tigers.
koberulz
Years ago
I've seen them referred to as the Lions in a couple of places, IIRC.
Maxx
Years ago
Anon, not guessing, I was actually there... They won the NBL in 1981...
KET
Years ago
Google 1981 NBL
Champion: Launceston Casino City Tigers
OK. I spoke to the former secretary of the Launceston City Casino side. Tigers were the local teams name and he tells me that at no stage was the word Tigers ever used in conjunction with Launceston Casino City. The Launceston Tigers played in the SEABL until 2002? He was at the game and has a program from the game. Maxx if you have the program still take a pic. This guy has it somewhere but that's anyone's guess. He said he will find it, so here's hoping he will. I should ask Cliff Martin he would know 100%. The Fuzzy Bear.
Why does Wikipedia say Launceston City Casino Tigers and not Lions?
I'm confused now.
koberulz
Years ago
As far as I can tell they were the Launceston Casino City Tigers until after the 1982 season, at which point they lost Casino City, changed their name to the Lions, and then withdrew from the league/folded before the season even started, with Devonport rushed in to replace them.
The above photo, which lists Ruthergien as the sponsor, is from the 1983 NBL Media Guide.
Perthworld
Years ago
Interesting. Didn't know about their 1983 aborted season.
David
Years ago
AFL's GWS has the Giants name so you may have a legal tussle there if you wanted to bring the Giants back.
People are forgetting the reason the Tigers name was given the flick. The Tigers junior club had kids with rich parents who would send their kids to private schools and their kids had a silver spoon in their mouth. Apparently the resentment of them from the rest of the basketball community stopped them supporting the Tigers brand on that basis alone. Correct me if I'm wrong but that's the reason I read in an article at the time why they went ahead with the name change.
Magic was a great team and a great name. But I'm not confident the name has left its mark on Melbourne, like the Bullets and the Kings have on their respected cities. I tend to think the threat of a legal tussle with the NBA likely probably turned them off going down that path. I vaguely remember reading however the NBA objections of South East Melbourne back in the day using the name 'Magic' was defeated in the courts because they ruled no organisation should have copyright on the name 'Magic'. But it's only vague recollection reading an article and once again I could be wrong.
koberulz
Years ago
AFL's GWS has the Giants name so you may have a legal tussle there if you wanted to bring the Giants back.Why do people not understand how trademark law works?
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