Victorian Giants about to go under

[Joel]

Just heard on SEN that the owners of the Vic Giants are looking to sell their franchise, because they are close to going under.

The sad thing is, it is a chance that we may end up with no Victorian side. Apparently, there might be a chance that the franchise will move interstate if it is bought out.

 

[Squeak]

Not meaning to bignote my side or anything, but I think if this were to happen it would spell the beginning of the end for the NBL as we know it. You simply cannot have a successful major professional league where the most popular sides are in regional locations like Wollongong, Townsville and Adelaide.

 

[Portmanteau]

Originally posted by Squeak
You simply cannot have a successful major professional league where the most popular sides are in regional locations like Wollongong, Townsville and Adelaide.

Which is of course no ones fault but the administration and the fans in Victoria. As such, I hope you guys can put together a franchise that people actually go to see.

 

[Joel]

The thing is, obviously we are doing something wrong in Victoria. The game is still strong, participation wise, but no one can be bothered going to watch it.

Personally, I believe it has alot to do with the multitude of mergers and name changes that have happened since 1992.

For exameple, the merging of St.Kilda, and the Southern Spectres, to make South East Melbourne Magic (alot of crowds around this time, playing in front of packed 15,000 Melbourne Park).

Then, the merging of the Magic, and the North Melbourne Giants, with the name changed to the Victoria Titans.

Then, the changing of name to the the Victoria Giants.

Personally, I loved watching basketball (NBL) when I was younger, and even though I still play, I've never felt like going to watch them play.

I reckon that we need a totally new team in Victoria.

 

[Squeak]

I actually think it doesn't have all that much to do with disillusion. My critical isues are:

*It's too expensive. The NBL is manily seen as family entertainment and it can cost a family of 4 $70 to go to a game, not including food, tranpsort, etc. There are far cheaper ways to bond.

*Competition with other activities. When basketball was the 'it' thing in the early-mid 1990's, they had no problem filling Rod Laver Arena. Now its just another sport, and the citizens of Melbourne seem to be able to think of far more exciting ways to fill a couple of hours. This is why places like Adelaide have no problem getting crowds. It's the 'Green Bay' factor (the town lives vicariously through its sports team).

*The talent. Darren Smith is a hack. But he was our captain 2 seasons ago. The lack of talent in the league, and more importantly the drain of local talent to Europe, has made the NBL product less enticing for the public. There's no real way to rectify this, and hence the NBL has been on a downward spiral for the last 10 years.

I find it sad, but a professional basketball league in Australia is no longer viable.

 

[Falchoon]

I wrote this in another thread, has some relevance here

Originally posted by Falchoon
Victoria and SA have always been the heartland of Australian basketball, looking at the makeup of the next Boomers team only confirms it still is, player wise. Unfortunately in the NBL's eagerness to get Sydney on side Victorian basketball has been neglected.

There was never anything wrong with three teams in Melbourne, the whole Giants/Magic affair has been a disaster from day one. The NBL is not strong enough to disenfranchise it's no.1 support base in going for Sydneys chardonnay set. Basketball is in trouble in this country because of it.

 

[Portmagpies]

Originally posted by Squeak


*This is why places like Adelaide have no problem getting crowds. It's the 'Green Bay' factor (the town lives vicariously through its sports team).

And Melbourne - the city that prides itself on the being the grestest sports loving place in the world - doesn't?

 

[Squeak]

Not to the same extent - if the Power and Crows finished 15th and 16th, and if the 36ers finished last in the NBL, the town would think about disbanding.

 

[Watto]

Maybe the Geelong Giants soon? In the paper reportedly. This is why I don't have much interest in the nbl anymore. Teams aren't safe anymore and it's changing all the time. Of course, it is harder in Melbourne where afl obviously dominates. Back to the geelong giants thing, I doubt that will help their plight down there but you never know I spose as they need something to do.

 

[Deegle]

Originally posted by Watto
Maybe the Geelong Giants soon? In the paper reportedly. This is why I don't have much interest in the nbl anymore. Teams aren't safe anymore and it's changing all the time. Of course, it is harder in Melbourne where afl obviously dominates. Back to the geelong giants thing, I doubt that will help their plight down there but you never know I spose as they need something to do.

yeah i saw in the paper, that the geelong supercats board are looking to buy the titans' NBL license. All of the titan's players have also been advised to 'seek FA negotiatons'. Possibly meaning the end of the titans this year and forever.

 

[JUBJUB]

Originally posted by Watto
Maybe the Geelong Giants soon? In the paper reportedly.

I can't really see the Giants pulling in crowds at the Arena in Geelong.The Supercats couldn't.

The occassional game at the Arena,featuring either the Tigers or Giants,has worked,but I doubt regular games would.

 

[blackcat]

gimme bobby locke vince hinchen terry dozier john dorge hammer et al. I'll be there

 

[Joel]

Bring back SE Melbourne Magic.