NBL Announce Early 2021 Season Start

The NBL has announced the 2020-21 Hungry Jack’s NBL Season will start in early 2021.

Hungry Jack’s NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman said: “After consulting with the nine NBL clubs and the Australian Basketball Players’ Association and acting on the advice of our NBL Return to Competition Taskforce, we have decided the start of the season will be delayed until at least mid-January.

“The main reason for pushing the start of the season back to the new year is to give the clubs the best opportunity to play in front of as many fans as possible.”

Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer said: “Playing in front of fans and members remains a priority, so we fully support the NBL’s decision to move the start date of the season.

“As a sport, and as a club, we are planning for multiple different outcomes and will be prepared for all scenarios.”

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The NBL have stated they will remain flexible about the exact start date and this will depend on a number of factors including travel and border restrictions, community transmission numbers and availability at venues across Australia and New Zealand.

The NBL’s intention is to play a full season and, if needed, will play in one or more hubs to achieve this. The league is currently engaged in positive discussions with a number of interested States about potential locations.

Greer assured fans, members and sponsors that no matter what NBL21 throws at the team, the Phoenix were working around the clock to enable them to deliver the best experience possible for NBL21.

Greer also took the opportunity to thank the amazing support the club had received from sponsors, fans and members alike.

“For our sponsors and corporate partners to stick with us shows they are committed to what we are building as a club, and their commitment is something we are very grateful for. Also the fact our members and fans continue to be so engaged with us is very special, we feel the support from the Heartland is growing every day,” he said.

NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said: “We need to adopt appropriate health and safety protocols to ensure we can schedule a season that we can deliver in its entirety and does not unnecessarily impact financially on our Clubs. And having as many fans as possible at those games is critical to us.

“The NBL has enjoyed tremendous growth over the past five seasons and is now considered one of the best leagues in the world outside of the NBA. We are determined to continue to build on that momentum and repay the faith fans have shown in us.

“We will continue to provide regular updates over the coming weeks and months including an announcement about an exact start date and schedule of games as we get closer to the season.

“We thank all of our loyal and passionate fans for their patience and support. The NBL and the clubs need you more than ever and we can’t wait for 2021 and what we hope will be a season and a year we can all look forward to.”

Phoenix Media (14/09/2020)