-Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks.
In case you hadn't noticed, the unthinkable almost happened. Something that would have been so costly for the sport of Basketball, currently at the tipping point of survival in this country, it may have been the end. Ok, that's a tad dramatic, but the reality is that the NBL almost lost a team due to financial reasons HALF WAY THROUGH THE SEASON! The Sydney Spirit were extinct, until a Jurassic Park type miracle brought them back. There are many problems with basketball in Sydney, here is how the latest is being addressed.
Here is the official NBL Statement on the situation:
The Sydney Spirit National Basketball League team has been saved, with players and coaching staff from the club voting overnight to accept an adjusted rescue package offered by the League.
The League met with the team on Tuesday morning to confirm their individual financial situations and subsequently adjusted the proposed salary component of the rescue package accordingly. Interim Chief Executive Officer of Basketball Scott Derwin said the decision by the players to accept the rescue package meant that the Spirit would now complete the 2008/09 season.
“Sydney sports fans are now assured the Spirit will play out the current NBL season, with the players and coaching staff courageously agreeing as a group to play on despite it being necessary for them to take significant pay cuts,” said Derwin. “They really are playing for the love of the game and have accepted the absolute bare minimum salary to cover their families’ living expenses. We are glad that we have managed to find a way for the Spirit to continue in the League, given their outlook just over a week ago was very bleak.”
“The issues facing the Spirit have been truly unique and therefore called for a unique solution,” Derwin added. “The League funding the on-going operations of a team in financial trouble is highly unusual, but we believe it was absolutely necessary in this case and we are pleased that the Spirit will now see out the season.”
Derwin said that gate receipts from all remaining Spirit home games will continue to go towards paying the players and coaching staff for their outstanding contractual salaries owed over and above those covered in the rescue package.
“We have made the commitment that, once basic operational costs are covered, all additional profits will be funnelled back to try to make up for what the players and coaching staff are owed under their contracts with the club. That means that by Sydney fans buying a ticket to a Spirit game, they are directly helping the players, coaches and their families through what has been a tremendously stressful period.”
Australia's number one player NBA Star Andrew Bogut, has thrown his support and CASH behind the struggling franchise, with the coach and many of the players being close friends of his from Junior Australia Teams. On ya Bogues.
Here is his comment on the situation, posted on his official web/blog site. Which is actually a fantastic read and is kept up to date by the big fella very well.
"Great news from Australia and the NBL. The Sydney Spirit lives on. This is great for the game in Australia, for now, as losing a team mid season would be simply and plainly unacceptable. I commend the players for being professional throughout this ordeal, with some even taking pay cuts. Click here for more information. The only other thing I would say is go and support the Spirit. There crowd numbers are around 1000 people. Now surely there are more basketball fans in Sydney then that. I do understand the bitterness some fans would have with the Kings going under, and the Razorbacks changing names to appeal to all fans in Sydney. All I can say is build a bridge and get over it. If you want a basketball team in Sydney, especially considering there is a reform coming next year there is no excuse not to be at the remaining games left to be played in Sydney. From what I hear the tickets are very affordable, so please Sydney fans put the past behind you and get out and support your only NBL team. If Sydney shows the NBL it can support a team now through all this turmoil, you can bet the NBL would think hard about having a team there next year. I am now officially backing the Spirit this year and I hope they win the NBL Championship. I am a Sydney Spirit fan, put it in the books."
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