Basketball: AIS Arena fix locked in, but Canberra Cannons' NBL return faces competition
By Melanie Dinjaski
June 8 2022 at 1:00pm

The NBL has warned Canberra basketball that getting an ACT team back in the league is far from a done deal, while also giving a strong indication that the Cannons' return is imminent.

It was confirmed by the NBL that earlier this year they applied further classes to their 2020 trademark of the Cannons name, as Canberra is considered by the league to be a "legitimate expansion option". However that promising update came with an asterisk.

When the federal Labor government promised $15 million last month to help get the AIS Arena back and operating to an appropriate standard again, basketball fans dreaming of a certain Canberra Cannons NBL return would have been cheering. It's not as much of a sure thing as Canberrans might hope it is though.

NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said that they remain "ready and willing to partner with the ACT government to bring AIS Arena up to the contemporary standard expected by sports fans and patrons".

However Loeliger hinted that "very interesting proposals" from other NBL bids could delay a Canberra team being swiftly greenlit for a return to the league upon the completion of the AIS Arena work.

"If the venue can be brought up to a standard consistent with the expectations of our fans, and the requirements of our teams, in a timely fashion then we are absolutely prepared to bring an NBL team back to Canberra, whether that be as the Canberra Cannons, or perhaps a new brand, chosen in collaboration with the people of the ACT," Loeliger told The Canberra Times.

"But we will not wait and let other sustainable, sensible opportunities pass us by if they present themselves in the meantime.

"We need government support to make this happen if Canberra is to get the nod ahead of a number of other very interesting proposals."

Before Labor won the federal election in May, Labor senator Katy Gallagher estimated that the AIS Arena improvements - which included upgrades to things such as fire safety, seating, lighting, and toilets - would be completed within 18 months.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said last week that the federal government had already set aside the $15 million funding for the AIS Arena - which has been closed since 2020 - but "a broader discussion on the future of the precinct" is ongoing.

Last month NBL chief executive Larry Kestelman pushed further, calling for $50 million in total government funding to bring the AIS Arena to a standard appropriate and sustainable for a new franchise in the NBL.

Kestelman compared such a move to the $66 million worth of work that was done on Tasmania's MyState Bank Arena which helped seal the JackJumpers a licence.

The new Tasmanian franchise famously reached the NBL finals in just their second year of existence.

"The new Tasmanian franchise famously reached the NBL finals in just their second year of existence."

lol they could have just said in their first season

I'm guessing Cannon-Brookes wants the second Sydney first before Canberra gets a license.

Would be a massive mistake if the Cannons franchise don’t return. There’s so much Cannons history that is forgotten about. They need to resurrect the Cannons history. But seeing what Larry did to the Melbourne Tigers then the NBL don’t give a rats on their history.

Thanks for the news Perthworld.

Clearly Brookes wants Sydney 2.

History is nice to have but the team needs to be financially viable. Don't need teams coming in and out of the league due to running out of cash.
Seriously doubt Canberra would have the crowds to cover the cost of a team but happy to be wrong.

Think they would be more than fine, 4,500-5,000 every game easy.

I just hope the Cannons back. It doesn't matter if their 11th or 12th team.

If Sydney become the 11th team then Cannon-Brookes should just call the second Sydney team the South Sydney Razorbacks. Since the Kings cover much of West Sydney fanbase.

Where are the Cannon-Brookes and second Sydney team rumours coming from?

I heard on The Basketball Show hosted by Shane Heal and Jo Healy. That show is based in Sydney and Matt Logue has been coving it.

It seems Cannon-Brookes really wants his own NBL franchise from reports, but Sydney can't have second team till 2024/25 season if I am correct?