The 2016-17 NBL season is fast approaching, and with the Brisbane Bullets returning to the competition, and a need to increase revenue and TV ratings from last year, getting the schedule right is absolutely key.
In a worry for the NBL and their fans, no schedule has yet been released.
This is despite both the A-League and Cricket Australia releasing their respective summer schedules – which should give the NBL a little bit of perspective to now get their schedule 100 per cent right with absolutely no excuse.
In most sports, the argument would be made that major rivalry games could be held off until later in the season – but not the NBL.
In the case of a sport and code in Australia that has struggled for the last decade, but finally gained a little bit of momentum last season with new ownership and a new TV deal, they must harness whatever early season momentum they can gain and use it through their biggest matches.
Last season was a 19 round season, with about seven to eight matches per round. That structure is one that probably won’t change given the Townsville Crocodiles folded and were forced to drop out of the league during the off-season, thus leaving the league at the eight teams, instead of nine.
Rivalry games in the early season are going to be ridiculously important to ensure fans tune into the league all season long – and also to rake in new fans.
It was announced on Wednesday afternoon that the annual NBL Blitz, or pre-season tournament, would be played exclusively in Brisbane and this in itself is momentum that must be harnessed. However, that momentum must be used correctly, given the season is likely to tip-off on a Wednesday night.
The Brisbane Bullets’ first game should be a rivalry match against the Sydney Kings at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre, whether that is on a Friday or Saturday night or even Sunday afternoon to close the first round.
Nothing short of a sell-out crowd would be expected with a rivalry game like that for the Bullets’ first game back in the league.
Whether a trip to the north should be the Kings’ first game or not is another question. The Kings hold a strong geographical rivalry against the Illawarra Hawks, but really, pit them against any team like the Adelaide 36ers – a rivalry made famous by Shane Heal – and it could draw a crowd.
Still, with the new ownership group and a change of venue to the Qudos Bank Arena (formerly known as the Sydney Superdome, Acer Arena and the Allphones Arena) a rivalry game against the Hawks to grace the venue would be perfect.
Because each match-up occurs four times a season, it is easy to stack the early rounds with rivalry matches. There will still be plenty left over for later in the season.
The other important point to note about the first round is that there needs to be an abundance of games, meaning seven at the very least, to ensure fans are not left wanting or thinking there is not enough action across a five-day round.
For the record, this is how I would be scheduling Round 1, using similar dates to last year. All times are AEST.
Wednesday, October 12 (7:30pm) Sydney Kings vs Illawarra Hawks (Allphones Arena)
Thursday, October 13 (7:30pm) Melbourne United vs New Zealand Breakers (Hisense Arena)
Friday, October 14 (7:30pm) Cairns Taipans vs Adelaide 36ers (Cairns Convention Centre)
Friday, October 14 (9:30pm) Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks (Perth Arena)
Saturday, October 15 (7:30pm) Brisbane Bullets vs Sydney Kings (Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre)
Sunday, October 16 (2pm) New Zealand Breakers vs Cairns Taipans (Vector Arena)
Sunday, October 16 (4pm) Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United (Adelaide Arena)
Moving away from the early rounds though, and this is something I have advocated before on The Roar, there is no question the NBL must pick up Christmas Day. Both the A-League and the BBL have decided not to schedule games then.
I’m not going to sit here and pretend there aren’t issues with Christmas Day sport – players don’t get to be with their families and the crowd will be an absolute pittance. But hell, get these games on free-to-air through Channel Nine and allow sports fans to watch sport.
More importantly, because it will be the only thing on TV, fans who never previously thought of the NBL will be able to watch without missing their usual favourite sport, opening the door for potential new fans.
There is quite a simple way to do things as well. I’m not going to sit here and advocate that every team plays, but find the right mix and play games at the right times, using time zones to your advantage and there will be no problems.
The ideal scenario, with Christmas Day being a Sunday, would be two games played in the evening. What this also allows the NBL to do is avoid the juggernaut that is Boxing Day where they will get absolutely hammered.
When you have NBA, the Boxing Day Test, Sydney-Hobart, BBL and A-League to contend with, the NBL doesn’t belong in the same sentence.
The easiest way to run Christmas Day would be minimising travel times and using time zones if at all possible. The obvious match that comes to mind is the Kings versus Hawks.
The second game is a little more complex, but a trip from Melbourne to Adelaide, with a local tip-off time of 8:30pm could certainly work. The game wouldn’t start until 9pm on the east coast and players wouldn’t realistically have to travel from Melbourne until the middle of the day.
OK, I realise it isn’t ideal for the team, but for the NBL to grow these are necessary sacrifices.
What the NBL must also do with their schedule this coming season is make sure there is a constant variation of which teams are playing. Last season, for example, the Perth Wildcats played the New Zealand Breakers four times in seven weeks, which in a 19-week season is just silly.
Get that variation right, and give a season series time to build. Especially when they are so important in deciding finals places at the end of the season.
There is no question that scheduling for the NBL this coming season is important and could determine the fate of the league.
Over to you, Mr Kestleman.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
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