New league, same lack of identity for NBL
The new National Basketball League finally gets underway next week.
The only problem is, nobody seems to know it.
There has been very little publicity, there won't be an official season launch and only a low-key pre-season tournament in Darwin two weeks ago signalled the commencement of the new-look competition.
The league, which is going ahead without clubs in Sydney or Brisbane, has been remodelled to try to ensure teams are financially viable.
Organisers fought calls for it to be put on hiatus, insisting it was important the league went ahead as scheduled to remain part of the sporting landscape.
The problem now is making sure people know it is actually on.
Asked if he was concerned by the lack of publicity, Basketball Australia chief executive Larry Sengstock replied: "Look, I am. There's no question about that.
"But it is what it is and we're working as hard as we possibly can to drive as much publicity as we can.
"The football codes really dominate the media space at this point in time. Hopefully we'll get some.
"We've got our first game on Fox Sports on Thursday night and once it gets underway and people start to see some activity, it'll get its own life happening.
"We just don't have the capacity to blanket the country with advertising and marketing and everything else that goes with it."
With eight teams currently in place, adding clubs in Sydney and Brisbane, plus a second Melbourne outfit, are Sengstock's No.1 priority for the 2010-11 season.
For now, many of the familiar names remain, including the Melbourne Tigers, Perth Wildcats and Adelaide 36ers.
Brisbane may not have a club, but there are still plenty of teams for Queenslanders to support as Townsville, Cairns and the Gold Coast will all compete.
Wollongong managed to find the funds to stay in the competition, while right now the New Zealand Breakers are looming as the early title favourites.
But it is clearly going to take time for the general public to take notice.
Asked about the upcoming league, recently-retired NBL great Shane Heal said: "What league?
"It's been pretty quiet hasn't it.
"But I think it's been the same most years.
"I guess with the AFL and rugby league at such a crucial stage, it's pretty hard to get too many headlines.
"Hopefully after all the footy finals finish, people start to pick up on it and start seeing a few results."
One aspect Sengstock is very focused on is ensuring the style of play appealing.
The loss of some teams has resulted in a higher level of talent across the remaining clubs, while Sengstock has taken the positive step of consulting with referees about the way games are officiated.
"We're analysing the game and making sure the product that's on the floor is the product that people want to watch," he said.
"We want to make it very athletic and free-flowing.
"It's something we're conscious of and we've been talking to the referees about how they call and interpret the game.
"I don't want a hack-and-bash style of game."
New Zealand open the season at home to Cairns on September 24.
