The NBL’s most successful coach Brian Goorjian admits “huge frustration” at the delay in announcing Australia’s new elite men’s basketball competition, but is confident it will work.
Basketball Australia (BA) will reveal which teams have been granted entry into the revamped NBL next week – though Sydney and Brisbane are almost certain not to be represented.
BA will also release tentative start and finish dates for the competition, expected to tip off in October.
But most interest will surround the make-up of the remodelled competition under the league’s tough new guidelines, which requires every team to have a $1 million bank guarantee.
Several clubs have baulked at stumping up the cash, most notably the Adelaide 36ers.
South Dragons coach Goorjian admitted to frustration over the delay in hammering out the details of the new competition, with all involved in the game in limbo since the last NBL season finished in March.
“There’s been huge frustration and everybody’s felt that,” Goorjian said from China, where he has been appointed assistant coach of the men’s national team.
“But I’m hearing some good things right now about (BA) making some firm decisions.
“The league is what it is right now, and we’re going to have to start back and we’re going to have build it. It’ll grow.
“I have a good feeling right now about the next step, and it’s hopefully going to make huge headway over the next few years.”
BA chief executive Larry Sengstock declared “significant progress” had been made after the governing body’s board members met with team owners in Melbourne on Monday and Tuesday.
“The EOI (expressions of interest) process has been a very complex and sensitive one and has required full consultation with the NBL owners,” Sengstock said in a statement on Thursday.
“It has required some lengthy and detailed discussions to reach accord with all of the EOI respondents, and we have been very pleased with the progress made this week towards an ultimate outcome.
“Barring any unforeseen setbacks, we are anticipating making an announcement about the outcome of the EOI process next week.”
The tough financial restrictions, introduced following the high-profile collapse of powerhouse clubs Sydney Kings and Brisbane Bullets, have been the major sticking point.
The Kings and Bullets were among five NBL clubs to have folded in the past six years.
Several other sides in the NBL, including Sydney Spirit, hit financial strife but were bailed out by the league.
South Dragons co-owner Mark Cowan said this week’s meetings had been positive.
“The dialogue we had with the BA board was very fruitful and I believe we are edging ever closer to having ironed out the finer details in the blueprint for the new league,” Cowan said.
Build your own ultimate team! Pick your key players and take a shot at big cash prizes every day with Draftstars. For great odds on NBA games every day head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
As much as fans of the other franchises hate to admit it, there is magic in the NBA air when the New York Knicks…
Corey Williams is being remembered as a one-of-a-kind NBL figure after the former MVP and outspoken commentator lost his fight with cancer. A New…
Sadly, on Thursday the owners of WNBL club the Melbourne Boomers handed back their license which has been transferred to a Geelong-based consortium. The…
The Timberwolves as a franchise have never even made the Finals, but this season's roster has the size and the scoring to trouble the other remaining teams.
The Lakers’ decision to fire coach Darvin Ham just days after their first-round exit is merely the beginning of what will be a flurry…
If people can lose their job, and clubs can face massive payouts, due to the behaviour of coaches, it will drastically change the way sporting teams in Australia will be run.
