Basketballers close to big time

By PETER JESSUP

A New Zealand basketball team's entry into the Australian league moved a step closer yesterday when Australian National Basketball League officials visited Auckland to check plans.

The push from the Auckland national league side will go before the NBL board for approval next month and the team could be on court for the 2001 season, which opens in October.

Television cover is a key component, and NBL chief executive John Rymarz and marketer Kevin Diggerson yesterday met both Sky and TVNZ executives to ensure exposure that will satisfy sponsors and provide a healthy financial climate.

The plan already has approval from international governing body FIBA so there will none of the problems faced by soccer's Kingz.

The Australian clubs are enthusiastic, their payback expected from an increased fan base, television cover and returns from that and sponsorship. It is also recognised that New Zealand teams competing in Australia drive up attendance and TV audiences due to a combination of New Zealanders attracted to the sport and increased Australian interest because of transtasman rivalry.

The Auckland backers will have to buy in. Rymarz refused to say what the cost was but indicated that it was settled according to an equation covering backing and expected returns, and was negotiable. Auckland was the only area into which the 11-team league was looking to expand, he said, but in three to five years it might well broaden the horizon towards Asia.

Around 600,000 Australians play the game every week, making it that country's highest-participation sport.

"There is a general acceptance we need to expand to keep that momentum going and New Zealand is very attractive from the point of view of building market base," Rymarz said.

"It has to be under our conditions, and there is no rush. We want the team to succeed. Nothing would be more disappointing than it falling in a hole - under-performing teams take up an inordinate amount of time and money."

The visitors checked the North Shore Events Centre, which the backers want to use as their home court until they can attract more than its 5000 full house.

The only restrictions on their dealings appear to be sponsorship constraints, with the NBL's existing deals with Mitsubishi, Qantas and Coca-Cola cutting out other car dealers, airlines and soft drink manufacturers.

Auckland spokesman Ian Shaw said they were well short of determining team positions but the aim was to attract top players from the New Zealand league.