The NBL doesn’t have to compete with the NBA, there isn’t a basketball competition which can. What it needs to do is promote its differences to the NBA. I for one prefer to watch a game that is dominated by superstars, I much prefer watching the NCAA College comp to the NBA, the skills are still there but the egos and the show ponying aren’t. The same goes for the NBL and in promoting the product the NBL should focus on its strengths such as teamwork and tribalism that it can tap into.

Adding to JiMMM’s comment, the NBL is suffering from the increased exposure the NBA is getting this year being on One HD. I’ve got mates who usually wouldn’t watch basketball at all aking me questions like where are Golden State from, etc. I mean it’s great they are watching basketball, but it isn’t helping the local game.

Obviously it’s hard to get decent coverage considering where the NBL is at. The good news is the current administration doesn’t look out of its depth, which is refreshing. The bad news is there’s a heck of a lot of work to do.

The NBL is now competing with the NBA not being supported by it, it is a competition because the NBL is only broadcast on Foxsports (with minimal FTA coverage) whilst the NBA is broadcast on ONE and has much better brand (I hate this term but it is applicable in this instance) recognition. Not many people even new the NBL was still operating.
Talking to some of my mates over a pint at the local recently while the NBL was on one of the TV’s, the general consensus was that why would we watch this when we can watch the NBA. One of these mates is going to marry a basketball player (female), and they haven’t been to an NBL or WNBL game in the time that they have been together that I am aware of.

So really while a midweek fixture will certainly not help the cause Basketball in Australia has a hell of a lot more problems that should be more pressing.