Key factor in NBL’s NSW return

The NBL’s return to Sydney and Wollongong in round 5 will be contingent on the NSW government increasing indoor venue capacities as the league gives the green light for basketball to return to the state.

There has been no basketball in NSW to start the NBL season due to the coronavirus pandemic, forcing the Kings and Hawks to play games in Queensland and South Australia.

However, the prospect of hoops returning to NSW before the NBL Cup in Melbourne on February 20 has been given a boost with more state borders opening.

Queensland’s border to NSW will reopen on Monday, joining Victoria and South Australia.

This will help the NBL play games in NSW, but there needs to be a commercial and financial benefit for the Kings and Hawks in terms of the crowd.

At present, capacities for indoor venues in NSW are 25 per cent, but the Kings and Hawks need this figure to increase to make a return.

The NBL’s return to Sydney and Wollongong in round 5 will be contingent on the NSW government increasing indoor venue capacities. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Kings CEO Chris Pongrass is hopeful that the NBL and the NSW health authorities can lift the current indoor venue capacities to allow Sydney and the Hawks to host home games in front of a decent crowd.

“From a revenue and commercial standpoint, it is vital for us and it is very contingent on having fans in the building,” Pongrass said.

“We can’t play in front of 25 per cent. It is hard playing in front of 50 per cent, but 75 per cent or above is what we need.

“We want to push to have as many fans in the venue but in a safe way and following the necessary COVID protocols.

“But it’s necessary because the money that we see on our revenue lines are strictly tied to us playing home games.

“We want to bring basketball back to re-engage our members and enjoying games here again.

“It is coming up on 10-anda half months since we have played a home game here, so we are dying to have one.

“We are hoping to have a game before the NBL Cup, but it is all contingent on border restrictions and crowd attendances.

“If we can assure that the borders are open then we will be pushing as hard as we can to get games here, but it is essentially out of our hands at the moment.”

Source: Read Full Article