NBL and Victorian Government Announce Melbourne Hub

The Hungry Jack’s NBL will stage its biggest event ever when South East Melbourne Phoenix are joined in Melbourne by the rest of the NBL with teams playing a month-long basketball extravaganza in February.

The NBL and the Victorian Government today announced that 36 games will be played in a Melbourne Hub starting on February 20, these games are in addition to the 14 home games each team will play in NBL21.

THE BIG SHOW:

• NBL21 will commence on January 10 with 39 games to be played over 37 days in front of fans across Australia before all nine teams move to the Melbourne Hub to contest the NBL Cup. 
• The Hub begins on the weekend of the Australian Open Finals and over 37 days will feature multiple double headers.
• Every team will play each other once.
• NBL Cup winner $150,000, 2nd $100,000 and 3rd $50,000.
• The Hub games will count towards the 2020-21 Hungry Jack’s NBL Season.
• Following the Hub teams will play their remaining home and away games as per a normal season structure.

The Phoenix play their first home game against the Hawks on January 14 at 7.30pm at the State Basketball Centre (SBC), the second home game is also at SBC against the Bullets on January 24 with tip off at 5pm. The location of the team's third home game on February 3 against the Hawks is TBC.

These first three games and 11 home games post the hub are included in the Phoenix NBL21 membership, the Phoenix games in the hub are an opportunity to see the team play an additional 8 times in Melbourne. The NBL will release information on how to buy tickets to the Hub games soon.

“In a year that has thrown up challenge after challenge it’s incredibly exciting to be able to offer basketball fans in the Heartland more basketball,” Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer said.

“It’s been a tough year for all Victorian’s and our fans in the Heartland, so to be able to provide some extra entertainment for basketball fans in 2021 is exciting.

“As a club we’re extremely grateful to the NBL and the Victorian Government for putting the Hub together, it’s an exciting concept and we think Melbourne’s basketball fans will embrace the entire NBL community."

NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman said: “I want to thank the Victorian Government for partnering with us to bring the Hungry Jack’s NBL to Melbourne for what will be the biggest ever event we have staged in one city. 

“These games will form part of an expanded NBL Season and give fans a chance to watch all of the league’s stars in what will be a showcase of world class basketball featuring all nine NBL teams."

The Acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Jaclyn Symes said: “Victorians love their basketball and there couldn’t be a better place for the NBL to tip off its season.

 “This will give fans the chance to see more top-level games and world class players than ever and we’ll ensure it’s done safely in accordance with the latest public health advice.” 

At the completion of the NBL Melbourne Hub, clubs will return to their respective home venues and complete the remainder of the NBL home and away season. 

“Playing these extra games in Victoria will provide us with valuable time for restrictions on crowd numbers to continue to be eased around the country, hopefully allowing more fans to see their teams play at home. It also enables us to accumulate more games in an accelerated format should any unexpected issues arise later in the season,” NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said.

“The additional games will also generate much needed revenue for our clubs during this COVID affected year but are also a huge bonus for our fans and the game of basketball across Australia as we bounce back from an unexpectedly long off-season. 

“Extra games are a great outcome for everyone, especially when so many sporting leagues in Australia and around the world have had to shorten or even cancel their seasons. We are very grateful to the Victorian Government for the opportunity. It’s certainly not taken for granted given where we were only a few short months ago.” 

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Phoenix Media (21/12/2020)