Brisbane to rejoin the NBL

Crocs signed a naming rights sponsor yesterday. Good signs!

I have heard that the name is privately owned. Not sure that is correct because they wouldn't be floating the idea of using the name if it was (or they would at least say that it needs to be cleared). Having said that, if it is privately owned, it will be by Eddy. The guy is a huge basketball fan, which is why he bought the team in 1999. As a result, I don't see it being a roadblock. He will surely give the name up in a heartbeat. He doesn't benefit one bit by holding onto the name. Other teams will be announced in October/November. So stay tuned guys!!! I envision Tasmania, 2nd Melbourne and 2nd NZ team making the cut (with Canberra the dark horse).

I haven't heard anything about this, so I'd be interested to learn more. I guess it has something to do with intellectual property? Eddy Groves was the owner of the Bullets until he - and therefore, they - went bust and the licence was handed back to the NBL. That being the case, I'm therefore interested to know if the Brisbane Bullets name/IP is in fact owned by anyone? I would have thought the answer to that is "the NBL". Surely it's not Eddy Groves? There was a instance back in the 90's when a rich Perth couple - the Polands - BOUGHT the Perth Breakers WNBL team as a "present" for their teenage daughter. When said daughter lost interest a year or 2 later, Mr and Mrs Poland wound up the team. Though the organisation was resurrected under different management/ownership, the Polands refused to relinquish the "Breakers" name, so the team then became known as the Perth Lynx. When the new NZ NBL team came along several years later and wanted to be known as the Breakers, they had to obtain permission from the Polands to use the name. NZ were given the green light, though I'm not sure where they had to pay for this privilege, however. Whatever they're called, wherever they play - they need to get things right. It can't be rushed, half-arsed or with corners cut. Victoria Giants, Singapore Slingers and Sydney Spirit - teams that only lasted 1 or 2 seasons - are examples of poor planning. Basketball needs a national league presence in SE QLD, and a strong one at that.

Apparently the Brisbane Bullets name is privately owned, and if the owner isn't involved in the new franchise, or doesn't want to use the name or sell the rights to use the name at a reasonable price, then a new name may be the quickest and cheapest way to achieve a new Brisbane NBL team.

So Chandler is too far but Boondal isn't? Depends on what side of town you are on.

Great news! Instantly i have some sort of interest in the NBL again. I'm interested to see some details. Who's taking on the franchise? Venue? Name? But this is a step in the right direction for the NBL after the last few seasons

Sorry, that last sentence should have read "... just as – if not more – importantly, let's hope the new team is called the Bullets!

Always a firm believer in large and rapid expansion is our friend Johnno! Fraser Neill has talked up his wanting to see a 16 team competition, but please, let's get the current 8-team league sorted first. The current TV with Channel 10/One appears on shaky ground and is due to expire at the end of 2014/15. Ten are simply fulfilling their contractual obligations by showing the delayed Friday night game and live 12pm Sunday game - they otherwise DO NOT support nor promote the NBL (at least they haven't since 2011/12). The quality of its live streaming service, NBL TV (provided by Perform) is often terrible. There is currently no naming rights sponsor for the league, and the number of league sponsors is dwindling. The Adelaide 36ers and Townsville Crocodiles are also without a major sponsor. Let's get the important things right/locked in/improved on before expanding.

It's great that NBL CEO Fraser Neill has announced their WILL be a Brisbane team back in the NBL from next season (2015/16). What doesn't appear to be confirmed though is who is backing the new franchise? Is it a Basketball Queensland team? Private consortium? State Association team? (hopefully not, refer the Logan Thunder WNBL debacle)... A combination of the aforementioned? Maybe a deal has been done and it's all hush-hush at the moment, because SURELY they wouldn't make the announcement without having everything locked in? Then again, it is the NBL. Let's hope a) It's not an association backed team (eg Brisbane Capitals, Southern District Spartans), and b) games are played at the Brisbane Convention Centre and not Auchenflower (too old and small), Chandler (too old, a little too far), Boondall (too old, too big). BCEC is the ideal size and location, hopefully it's affordable for the new team. Oh and just as - if not more - importantly the new team is called the Bullets!

Matthew, An uneven number of teams doesn't necessarily mean teams will have a week off. Some teams will play 2 games in a week. When teams do have "byes", it's usually due to venue availability, and the league has schedule their fixtures accordingly. Even in an even-numbered competition, some teams will get a week off, and other teams will play twice. It's just the way it is. In answer to your question, no other new teams have been confirmed for 2015/16, although the league has held talks with representatives in Tasmania and Canberra, as well as interested parties for a 2nd Melbourne team I believe.

I think there gonna increase the amount of regular season game to 40-50.

Great news. Sort of hoping for a few more of the old teams to come back, like Canberra Cannons, Hobart Tassie Devils, Newcastle Falcons and Geelong Supercars. The NBL was a good league to follow in the early to mid nineties.

This is all well and good but bringing in one team at a time generates Byes... which no competition wants. You have a professional basketball team idling essentially as they waiting almost 2 weeks for their next game. Not a great idea for the NBL where only a few of the teams are making a profit/breaking even. Has there been any annoucement on any other new team for next season?

Good news for NBL. A Brisbane team again, in a big market is good news I hope the NBL can expand more. Canberra,Newcastle,West Sydney,Hobart,2nd Melbourne,Geelong,Wellington NZ. The game is growing, junior numbers are up,a potentially golden crop and generation of Boomers, I am still sceptical about Melbourne United I miss the Melb Tigers as a name.