KEY POINTS:
The Breakers' future in the Australian NBL appears safe despite yesterday's withdrawal of the Singapore Slingers being described by Australian basketball's chief administrator as part of a potentially ongoing rationalisation of the league.
The Slingers cited the crippling costs of international travel when they called time on their two-year stint in the league. As a condition of their membership the Slingers had agreed to pay all travel costs associated with their position in the competition.
The spiralling costs of international travel meant that was no longer possible and the Slingers had sought to join the league's travel pool, which equalises the cost of travel for the other teams. The request was denied, prompting the Slingers pull out.
It was another blow for a competition that has also seen glamour clubs Sydney Kings and Brisbane Bullets fold in recent months. But Breakers chief executive Richard Clarke said the Auckland club would not be among any further casualties.
Unlike the Slingers, the Breakers have full access to the travel pool.
"It's disappointing that it has happened so close to the start of the season, it plays havoc with the draw and things like that, but I do understand their reasoning," Clarke said.
Scott Derwin, the interim chief executive of the recently merged NBL and Basketball Australia, said the withdrawal may have pre-empted the outcome of an independent industry review, which is expected to recommend sweeping changes to the NBL.
"One of the key elements of the review is the introduction of a new and more stringent criterion for teams to successfully hold a licence in the NBL," Derwin said. "It is reasonable to expect this will lead to significant rationalisation of NBL team numbers for the 2009/10 season.
"The departure of teams in Sydney, Brisbane and Singapore in the off-season has to some degree allowed a limited rationalisation of the competition to happen organically."
Derwin calmed fears the future of the Breakers might come under scrutiny.
He said a 10-team competition with "strong representation in every Australian state except Tasmania and also in NZ remains a viable proposition".
Clarke also said there was no threat to the Breakers' future participation.
"We bring things such as a market of four million people and TV exposure, which is good for sponsorship. And travel here is not prohibitive. It is no different coming to us than playing Perth. Strategically it is a lot different to having a team in Singapore."
The Slingers will now seek to launch a professional league in Asia and early indications suggest they will retain their playing staff, including New Zealander Chris Daniel.
Their exit will not affect the September 13 start date and the remaining 10 teams will still play 30 matches. A revised draw is expected this week, with an early draft suggesting the Breakers will pick up extra matches against Melbourne, Cairns and Townsville.
