Just read the announcement on nbl.com and gotta say makes absolute sense to me. Tough on Breakers maybe, but anywhere will be tough if not NZ and ATM, it can't be that. I do applaud the Breakers for this, after what they are already going through.
And I am rapt that Gutwein is so much in favour of sport in general, and seems to be keen as hell to make the basketball work for his state.
I just can't help thinking that this a great example of how "partnerships" / "sponsorships" should work. Both sides want something. In Tassie's case, looks like a mass tourism/sport promo is on the books to boost the state's economy. NBL wants more teams that can guarantee sustainability in their growth and in new markets. Both getting what they want and this announcement is a great pre-promo that neither expected. 2 (actually, 3) birds / 1 stone!
Do well Beakers!