The NBL has surprised the Australian sporting community by doing several good things in a row for the first time since 1996.
Recently, the NBL announced a five-year broadcast deal with Fox Sports and a free-to-air partnership with Channel Nine.
NBL Executive Director Larry Kestelman said the aim was to ‘not shoot ourselves in the foot every five minutes’.
“It took a leap of faith by many to not run the competition like it was a fifth grade mixed netball squad that played on Wednesday nights.”
“The TV deals are great, as people will actually be able to see the NBL for the first time since before the internet was a thing.
“They’d be people approaching their twenties who have probably never seen an NBL game on TV.”
In other positive news, the Brisbane Bullets will re-join the NBL for the 2016/2017 season, a new logo that looks like it was designed this century has been launched and they’ve also signed some actual sponsors
Sports business consult Max Simon said the NBL was in serious danger of becoming ‘semi-professional’ at this rate.
“Who knew that underneath the chaos and self harm there was a decent basketball competition hiding there?”
“Still, there’s a lot of work until the NBL is back to being the fifth most popular competition in Australia.”
Long term NBL fan Diane Lineki said she was happy the league was getting it’s act together but there were some disadvantages.
“I had to wait in line for almost a minute to buy a water the other night. It was chaos.”
Mr Kestelman said the league’s next goal was to not have heaps of teams go bankrupt.
COMMENTS
lenphil29
Oct 12, 2015
TitusOReily ; undoes it all the second dwayne russell's voice appears
Kyri_1
Oct 12, 2015
TitusOReily u forgot to mention Dwayne Russel is commentating...
thesievelives
Oct 12, 2015
TitusOReily NB what?
russditt
Oct 12, 2015
TitusOReily Bill is making a comeback also.... http://twitter.com/russditt/status/653506289226551296/photo/1
Sgt_baker84
Oct 12, 2015
TitusOReily Perth welcomes you back on board.
Thomas Green
Oct 12, 2015
Good to see some crowds, but is it too much to ask for a Wollongong victory? Haha
Duane Harrison
Oct 12, 2015
I cannot support Melbourne Tige...I mean, United. That's like a Collingwood supporter following Carlton just because they changed their name!
Bring back SE Melbourne Magic (or even better the Spectres!)
Matthew Pope
Oct 12, 2015
That rude prick. 5th grade mixed netball wednesday night comp is extremely well run and not like the dogs breakfast that has been the "N"BL for the past decade...
Duane Harrison
Oct 12, 2015
WHOOMP THERE IT IS!
Dave Lloyd
Oct 12, 2015
Some clubs have even reported selling memberships. Numbers are yet to be confirmed, but many of the clubs are forecasting a rise into double figures for the first time in years.
Alan Aldog Wright
Oct 12, 2015
With commentary by Dwayne Russell
Steven Smith
Oct 12, 2015
I feel the same but was giants fan
Andre Ugrinic
Oct 12, 2015
First time they've done several good things in a row since 1996. Hahaha this is why the NBL is a joke
Heath Hay
Oct 12, 2015
Haha i love it mate. Spot on.
Bryce Heaton
Oct 12, 2015
'Goal is to not have several teams go bankrupt' ded
Ben Daglish
Oct 12, 2015
Bring back the Nth Melb Giants and i'm there!
Andre Ugrinic
Oct 12, 2015
If the players could make a lay up and shoot above 25% for the game maybe there would be more of a following
Lauren Borg
Oct 12, 2015
I'm telling you there is momentum building
Shane Daniel
Oct 12, 2015
For the first time in a long time I'm half thinking of going to a United game!
Lauren Borg
Oct 12, 2015
Let's do it!!
Bryce Heaton
Oct 12, 2015
It will be good to watch bullets and have froffies at Southbank though
Heath Hay
Oct 12, 2015
Only if Tim Dillon comes back :)
Gary Bruce
Oct 12, 2015
I'm waiting for the return of the Giants. Fisher for coach
Ryan La Roche
Oct 12, 2015
In Western Australia, people still watch the NBL
Simon Berkefeld
Oct 12, 2015
Haha! I can't like this though!
Damien Browne
Oct 12, 2015
Did dwayne Russell commentating get considered for this list? Cos that ensures I don't watch.
owenlpeacock
Oct 13, 2015
TitusOReily Brilliant...and very true. The NBL season launch has been surprisingly good.
Tony Venn
Oct 13, 2015
Mat Adams. Dwayne Russell must be the channel 9 special comments guy U0001f606U0001f606, still commentating like its the footy season!