I get why they did it with sponsorships and other businesses not making any money + who's to say it'll even be fine when the season normally starts but I can't help but feel the abpa and nbl jumped the gun with these paycuts

Maybe he's working on a clothing brand too. Kay M'Art springs to mind.

Man I'm pissed off, as a Perth fan and as a general NBL fan. Not at the players or teams, but the people running the NBL, they've fucked up all the great work that's been done over the last 6 years

Kay was always going, his value in Europe is through the roof, it's probably better for Perth this way as if Europe doesn’t get going he’ll be back at Perth. Norton out as well I believe.

Melbourne only got three players contracted, so not certain why they were mentioned.

Not really surprised that players from the two biggest spenders are choosing money over loyalty. Adelaide may have a chance after all.

You win championships with a very expensive playing group, you don't pay they go, simple really.

You can't blame Kay/Cotton for chasing the money. If they were on the rumoured $400k and $600k, that 50% paycut is huge in the prime of their careers. They were already capable of getting more money overseas in the first place than what they got in the NBL last year.

The Wildcats are probably a victim of their own success a bit too. What is it, 5 championships in the last 7 years? I think it's natural that the best players not only want to make what they're worth but also challenge themselves at the highest possible level.

Kay and Cotton have multiple NBL championships, All NBL first teams, MVP awards etc. Could be a "time for the next challenge" mentality.

I don't blame Kay and Cotton for opting out to get what they're worth. The issue is the NBL made a ridiculously hasty decision to make the league a completely unattractive option, so Australia's usual advantage of offering lifestyle over slightly less dollars went out the window overnight.

Kay and Cotton are opting out because they're great players with a good chance of picking up a well paid gig overseas. The 4 Melbourne players opted in because Melbourne is a great city and Dan Andrews will protect us all!

The NBL along with the players association and the player representatives made the decision. Not just the NBL. Learn to read.

2020/21 Wildcat fans if Perth miss the playoffs:

Wildcat Fan 1: "COVID-19 stopped our playoff streak, not any of the other NBL teams!"

Wildcat Fan 2: "Nah. This season doesn't count, the streak lives on!"

Wildcat Fan 3: "Yeah, this is definitely an asterisk season/championship!"

Every other NBL fan: "Then let's put a big asterisk next to the 2004/05 season when you finished 7th out of 11 teams on 17-15 and made the playoffs. Same for the 2005/06 season when you also finished 7th out of 11 teams on 16-16 and made the playoffs. You could also do the same for the 2003/04 season when you, again, finished 7th out of 12 teams on 15-18 and made the playoffs!"

The entire Red Army: "Shut up pleb! We are the best club in NBL history (that is true though)! We might have missed the playoffs, but we will be too busy polishing our 10 championship trophies!"

Every other NBL fan again: "Yeah, you guys are polishing something and it's not the trophies!"

If they go to Europe and die with Covid19, opting out will seem a bit stupid.
And $200-300 is still pretty good money in a country that basically has nearly lowest level of infection which ain't bad. Its like a person winning powerball the week after the jackpot was $100 million and them whinging they only got $2 million.

While I don't see us being a legit championship contender, i still think Perth can put together a roster capable of finishing top 4. They'll still be willing to spend a fair bit and they'll be very active in free agency and try grab some big names.

I dont think cats have a choice but to recruit hard. They have lots of demanding fans and a big stadium to fill.

A bit of dribble from #864.
Streak will be broken eventually but really I don't think there is an issue.
4 out of 9 chance of making playoffs.

A great destination for free agents.
Perth will be fine.

If you bring in a player for this season coming it counts as double on the salary cap. Perth bring a player to replace Kay and pay him $100g it's worth $200g on the cap. That’s how they get to keep the cap the same but regulate this season to allow for cuts. You have to find the percentages for each wage bracket, I used $200g as it’s a 50% cut. Clubs will balance there list that way.

They reduced the cap because they know they either won't be playing in front of crowds or they will be playing in front of 66% less crowds. Meaning 2 seats vacant between each patron etc. it’s not about now it’s about the fact that clubs make money from bums on seats. Clubs make money on selling hospitality. That is not going to happen as per normal in NBL20/21. It’s not rocket science people.

5000+ posts and still going strong.
Kudos Koberulz.

Larry has blown it, players will walk at any time and if the league try's to stop it and it goes to court, all cost, money expenditures will be laid out for all to see.

Question: How does one know that someone is clueless?

Answer: They mention the sales figures of two major sponsors as reasons for the financial viability of the league this season.

A couple of sponsors may be doing well, but they won't be tipping more money into the NBL out of goodwill to make up the shortfalls from others. They have a duty to their shareholders to do what is in their best interests, why give more money to the NBL for the same and most likely less exposure.

Agentview - Do you seriously suggest that Chemist Warehouse or Bunnings is going to tip in enough money to make up the shortfall from the team owner's drop in income from their personal business interests (which usually cover the league losses) plus the drop in general sponsorship, hospitality spend and ticket sales this season.

And why would they do this exactly? What benefit is it in there for them? How does Wesfarmers explain the generosity towards the NBL to their shareholders? You do realise directors of companies are legally required to do what is in the best interests of their shareholders? How do you suggest throwing money at the NBL for no more exposure does so?

Financially healthier doesn't help get wins after your 2 superstars just walked out. Perth is just another club of mercenaries like everyone else but with deeper pockets. but deep pockets are not so great when your best players just said adios and the borders are locked down

Exactly the cap is not changing, as previously said a player on 100g will valued at 200g. It all works around the percentage detuctions. A player on a 30% reduction will have 30% added to his wage to meet the cap.

"If clubs are struggling now, they can not blame COVID 19. It just simply hasn't effected their current cash flows."

"What income was a club going to generate between March and June? None. It is expense only time of the year, with no revenue."

FM, I think you should learn more about how NBL clubs businesses operate before making definitive statements like this, because it is simply not true.

The statement probably isn't true but they should have money put aside for their cost from season just past to get to next season, we were told that the league was going fantastic, all fine but looks like smoke and mirrors.

Norto was interviewed on Nova this morning, presenters stated Terrico and Miles were gone and Norto did nothing to refute that statement.

4 of 5 starters gone

#lastdance

#xlnt

"Ask Dean Vickerman - they 100% outbid Melbourne for Nick Kay, making Nick Kay Perth's marquee player"

Like I said, no they did not. And why would they?
If you have already made/matched a fair offer to a player, and he says I don't care about playing for your club, one way or another, but I'll come for a bit more money, why would you want him? It's not only a bad way to spend money, it puts you never-ending upward spiral.

The whole reason Kay has opted-out, is that he was not earning the money his current form demanded, and that was before the NBL pineapple.
At the time, Kay had multiple offers, and Perth's offer matched but did not exceed the others. At that point he may have been the best local option available, but he had yet to have the incredible two years he's now had.

Perth blew United out of the water, believe it.

$400k is what it took and in hindsight it's was well worth it.

Wildcats don't *have* to pay to get players here. They choose to, because they're a successful club.

#313 and play for nothing to to live in a back water.

What?

Don't have to pay??? Not the NBA with ringchasers here. Established players may take less than market value to stay but they coming for the dollars. If you're a FA and Hawks offering $20 grand more than wildcats, they're going to Hawks 99%.

Players who told Wildcats to get stuffed
Mark Worthington
Daniel Johnson
Cameron Gliddon
Casey Prather

"Wildcats money does not guarantee talent or success."

No they don't always get it right but more often than any other club.

As for that list of random players, Perth have got more titles in the last seven years than those players do combined.