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Post by saintpat on Nov 30, 2021 18:43:32 GMT
Whilst the finances are all about the BBL, they'll eventually be looking to turn this money into something tangible. The national teams at all ages are not linked to the BBL in any way, but investing in young players who can make the league better & provide a pathway for young quality British players to play in the BBL would be a positive for 777. 777 will want to make the league better it will be interesting to see their plans to make this happen but I'd suggest that all clubs having an u23 playing in a league would be a massive step forward & this would link nicely with an U20's GB team. However that would mean people in charge of the NGB's actually caring about the future of British basketball & not just making sure they keep their jobs & their own little kingdom! I get where you're coming from and I'd go as far as to say every BBL team should be made to have an EABL setup or even start a completely separate BBL youth league to prep players for college/the next step, but thats me looking at it from a development perspective as a fan of British Basketball. These guys are venture capitalists, nothing more nothing less. Make no mistake they want a financial return and will care about nothing else. If that means making the league better (and lets face it, it does) and therefore more attractive to sponsors and commercial revenue, then that's a really happy side issue for them, but so long as they get a return on their investment, then thats why they are where they are. In reality that means their cash injection going to make the league better in a way that they couldnt do without the finance. But if I was them, I couldnt care less for youth development. Its a quick win game to them and if they dont get their returns in 5-10 years or at least start to see a turnaround, then I can see them pulling out completely. Thats normal though, its the risk you take and if the league back themselves to use the money wisely then in theory why cant it be a mini version of the Division 1 rebrand to the Premier league? On the flip side, I've been around too long to know we dont have the most astute organizers in our game. Bottom line - welcome cash injections no doubt, but the hard work starts here. Use it wisely. Absolutely agree & sure much of the money will be used for TV deals & media in general. Clearly they want a return on their money but if they don't have a long term plan to have teams with players that fans can identify with then it won't work & having good young British players in the league is one of the the best ways to do this. If their whole plan is getting on TV & clubs bringing in better Americans for 4-5 years we all know that will not be sustainable & they'll never get close to recouping any money & will eventually pull out. I'm hoping the plan is better than that & there's a long term plan, which includes better British players in BBL teams with at least 3-4 clubs playing European competition because that's the way to make British teams progress & the league to be seen as a decent level. We have to make it unnecessary for British players to go to an American college to get a decent living out of basketball. They'll still be plenty that do go but of the right structure is in place then it's another alternative. To be fair, I can't see that happening & I think it's possible 777 will end up giving up trying to battle the existing British governing bodies who will only be interested in how much cash they can extract from them & leave British basketball with yet another 'what if' situation. |
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Post by borthwick on Nov 30, 2021 18:54:08 GMT
Last paragraph rings so true Pat
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Post by notoriousbigz on Nov 30, 2021 19:46:50 GMT
I get where you're coming from and I'd go as far as to say every BBL team should be made to have an EABL setup or even start a completely separate BBL youth league to prep players for college/the next step, but thats me looking at it from a development perspective as a fan of British Basketball. These guys are venture capitalists, nothing more nothing less. Make no mistake they want a financial return and will care about nothing else. If that means making the league better (and lets face it, it does) and therefore more attractive to sponsors and commercial revenue, then that's a really happy side issue for them, but so long as they get a return on their investment, then thats why they are where they are. In reality that means their cash injection going to make the league better in a way that they couldnt do without the finance. But if I was them, I couldnt care less for youth development. Its a quick win game to them and if they dont get their returns in 5-10 years or at least start to see a turnaround, then I can see them pulling out completely. Thats normal though, its the risk you take and if the league back themselves to use the money wisely then in theory why cant it be a mini version of the Division 1 rebrand to the Premier league? On the flip side, I've been around too long to know we dont have the most astute organizers in our game. Bottom line - welcome cash injections no doubt, but the hard work starts here. Use it wisely. Absolutely agree & sure much of the money will be used for TV deals & media in general. Clearly they want a return on their money but if they don't have a long term plan to have teams with players that fans can identify with then it won't work & having good young British players in the league is one of the the best ways to do this. If their whole plan is getting on TV & clubs bringing in better Americans for 4-5 years we all know that will not be sustainable & they'll never get close to recouping any money & will eventually pull out. I'm hoping the plan is better than that & there's a long term plan, which includes better British players in BBL teams with at least 3-4 clubs playing European competition because that's the way to make British teams progress & the league to be seen as a decent level. We have to make it unnecessary for British players to go to an American college to get a decent living out of basketball. They'll still be plenty that do go but of the right structure is in place then it's another alternative. To be fair, I can't see that happening & I think it's possible 777 will end up giving up trying to battle the existing British governing bodies who will only be interested in how much cash they can extract from them & leave British basketball with yet another 'what if' situation. I think visibility is the first easy win they can get really. Update the website so bbl player is incorporated into the main website (and for gods sake make the main site mobile user friendly), utilise YouTube Facebook Twitter and get some game highlight packages put together, get a central league journo who can produce interviews with players and for gods sake give clubs the resources to stream games consistently that don’t give you motion sickness. Oh, and a few season long documentaries following teams wouldn’t go a miss. Just gives the fans/potential fans a feeling they’re getting all access, and I for one would watch it… I’m not sure it’s just the best British players that people connect with, keep the best players that come over here season on season and you’re onto something. Fletch, Crandall and Justin Robinson are the three that instantly spring to mind. Moneys always going to be the issue though and in the short term I’m not sure throwing money at players is the way to do it. We’ve never had a better chance with Brexit and the import rules around Europe to keep some of the better British players on these shores. Whilst it’s a really bad position for British players who now have vastly decreased chances of going to Europe, the BBL should (and probably already has) capitalise on this as much as they can. I’m fairly sure it’s why the likes of Clark and Teddy O are playing over here, and probably the same for a few others too. That said, is enough being done? Manchester should be rolling Dan Clark out and plastering his face over everything as much as they can given what he’s done and the status he holds for GB. But are we seeing it enough? Clubs have to help themselves too… I also think there’s a lot to be said for more club (even league) owned arenas (fully appreciate that’s a longer term goal). Look at Leicester and Newcastle and the additional revenue a dedicated facility can bring in for you. It’s basically the key to long term stability. And there’s a lot that can be done in between with merchandising and promotion, but the more learned on here already know that. The point is the barrier to now has been cash, and with this injection they really can start meaningful inroads on a number of fronts. I’m not a fan of the top down approach but at the same time you can’t look a gift horse in the mouth, we are where we are and it’s what’s done from here that counts I guess. Your last paragraph there, as depressing as it is, is in my eyes the most likely scenario here. But there’s a chance. For me, the BBL can (and should) ignore the NGBs as much as possible because we know they’ve only ever (in my 15 year association with the game anyway) been interested in covering their own backs and lining their own pockets. Once it’s a success they’ll be the ones coming cap in hand. |
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Post by faz on Dec 1, 2021 20:25:23 GMT
Totally agree but most bbl clubs are more concerned about survival and an owned arena is a pipe dream. However Eagles and riders managed it!
Bottom line is bums on seats. No doubt there is a market for ball but it’s for the NBA. Unless you have an affiliation with a club you’re not going to watch a bbl game instead of an NBA game!
NBA pass Best Buy ever!
10 years on and there won’t be much change.
I predict a league of ten and 5 franchises to have folded by then!
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Post by drivethebody on Dec 1, 2021 21:24:34 GMT
Absolutely agree & sure much of the money will be used for TV deals & media in general. Clearly they want a return on their money but if they don't have a long term plan to have teams with players that fans can identify with then it won't work & having good young British players in the league is one of the the best ways to do this. If their whole plan is getting on TV & clubs bringing in better Americans for 4-5 years we all know that will not be sustainable & they'll never get close to recouping any money & will eventually pull out. I'm hoping the plan is better than that & there's a long term plan, which includes better British players in BBL teams with at least 3-4 clubs playing European competition because that's the way to make British teams progress & the league to be seen as a decent level. We have to make it unnecessary for British players to go to an American college to get a decent living out of basketball. They'll still be plenty that do go but of the right structure is in place then it's another alternative. To be fair, I can't see that happening & I think it's possible 777 will end up giving up trying to battle the existing British governing bodies who will only be interested in how much cash they can extract from them & leave British basketball with yet another 'what if' situation. I think visibility is the first easy win they can get really. Update the website so bbl player is incorporated into the main website (and for gods sake make the main site mobile user friendly), utilise YouTube Facebook Twitter and get some game highlight packages put together, get a central league journo who can produce interviews with players and for gods sake give clubs the resources to stream games consistently that don’t give you motion sickness. Oh, and a few season long documentaries following teams wouldn’t go a miss. Just gives the fans/potential fans a feeling they’re getting all access, and I for one would watch it… I’m not sure it’s just the best British players that people connect with, keep the best players that come over here season on season and you’re onto something. Fletch, Crandall and Justin Robinson are the three that instantly spring to mind. Moneys always going to be the issue though and in the short term I’m not sure throwing money at players is the way to do it. We’ve never had a better chance with Brexit and the import rules around Europe to keep some of the better British players on these shores. Whilst it’s a really bad position for British players who now have vastly decreased chances of going to Europe, the BBL should (and probably already has) capitalise on this as much as they can. I’m fairly sure it’s why the likes of Clark and Teddy O are playing over here, and probably the same for a few others too. That said, is enough being done? Manchester should be rolling Dan Clark out and plastering his face over everything as much as they can given what he’s done and the status he holds for GB. But are we seeing it enough? Clubs have to help themselves too… I also think there’s a lot to be said for more club (even league) owned arenas (fully appreciate that’s a longer term goal). Look at Leicester and Newcastle and the additional revenue a dedicated facility can bring in for you. It’s basically the key to long term stability. And there’s a lot that can be done in between with merchandising and promotion, but the more learned on here already know that. The point is the barrier to now has been cash, and with this injection they really can start meaningful inroads on a number of fronts. I’m not a fan of the top down approach but at the same time you can’t look a gift horse in the mouth, we are where we are and it’s what’s done from here that counts I guess. Your last paragraph there, as depressing as it is, is in my eyes the most likely scenario here. But there’s a chance. For me, the BBL can (and should) ignore the NGBs as much as possible because we know they’ve only ever (in my 15 year association with the game anyway) been interested in covering their own backs and lining their own pockets. Once it’s a success they’ll be the ones coming cap in hand. I do agree with that in the main but to a new fan or convert Dan Clark (as great as he is and has been for the game) is an unknown. His pedigree won’t attract new fans? (Maybe it will but I’m not sure)? GB appearances as great as they are won’t appeal to many? If I was to go to a random ice hockey or netball game with little knowledge - the fact an old GB player was playing wouldn’t necessarily excite? What the kids etc want is identifiable young cool accessible talent (or am I old saying this-maybe I am)? What I’d imagine newbies want is a well presented slick package with loads of off court offers and an identikty - look at how the 100 cricket took off- record sales of merchandise for brand new clubs in a staid old sport and sell out crowds. Ditch the old commentators who give tired old cliches (“downtown” for Gods sake) and get fun young guys etc Maybe I’m wrong and I’m sure I’ll be shot down but things need to change. London have on paper a great package - great venue, winning team and new branding etc yet only get a couple of hundred paying customers |
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Post by dandayr on Dec 1, 2021 22:29:38 GMT
Totally agree but most bbl clubs are more concerned about survival and an owned arena is a pipe dream. However Eagles and riders managed it! Bottom line is bums on seats. No doubt there is a market for ball but it’s for the NBA. Unless you have an affiliation with a club you’re not going to watch a bbl game instead of an NBA game! NBA pass Best Buy ever! 10 years on and there won’t be much change. I predict a league of ten and 5 franchises to have folded by then! I do (probably an exception but BBL before NBA on my tv viewing) - the other day I deleted the skysports mix NBA recordings I had (all unseen) and watched the BBL one from Friday I could not see at time as was on train struggling with the weather. I find the NBA pointless at this time of the year. Might watch the christmas games, but more likely will give it a miss till play-offs. They have turned it into a show till play-off time when it becomes a sport again. If the presentation is right, the product is of interest - the bums on seats and the tv market will happen. The current sky deal had made a good start on that on the presentation side, clubs need to do their part and like the games in Glasgow and Newcastle provide a backdrop of occupied seats. In the context of this announcement (has it actually been formally announced, has the pulled bbc story ever reappeared) found an article yesterday by Paul Blake about sustainable growth (sounds like organic approach) versus investment approach very interesting. If the investment in the lge office is confirmed then it has to lead to organic and sustainable growth with a stronger commercial base to help it - or else faz could be the prediction we all look back at and think mmmm wasted 7Mill opportunity then |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2021 22:41:55 GMT
I finally got around to a rant about the U-20s being scrapped, with a bit about the BBL because - and let's be honest here - 95 percent of the people who post on here wouldn't really care if we didn't have a national team and 7 of their first 8 were American. So I need to pick my audience. |
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Post by LTFan on Dec 2, 2021 9:18:40 GMT
Totally agree but most bbl clubs are more concerned about survival and an owned arena is a pipe dream. However Eagles and riders managed it! Bottom line is bums on seats. No doubt there is a market for ball but it’s for the NBA. Unless you have an affiliation with a club you’re not going to watch a bbl game instead of an NBA game! NBA pass Best Buy ever! 10 years on and there won’t be much change. I predict a league of ten and 5 franchises to have folded by then! But the one advantage the BBL has over the NBA is accessibility - especially since the NBA withdrew the London game(s). If you're interested in basketball and you want to go to an actual game, the BBL - not the NBA, basically has that monopoly in the UK. It's the biggest thing they can offer that the NBA can't, and they need to capitalise on that. It's certainly why I feel a certain disconnect from the NBA. |
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Post by notoriousbigz on Dec 2, 2021 9:57:48 GMT
I think visibility is the first easy win they can get really. Update the website so bbl player is incorporated into the main website (and for gods sake make the main site mobile user friendly), utilise YouTube Facebook Twitter and get some game highlight packages put together, get a central league journo who can produce interviews with players and for gods sake give clubs the resources to stream games consistently that don’t give you motion sickness. Oh, and a few season long documentaries following teams wouldn’t go a miss. Just gives the fans/potential fans a feeling they’re getting all access, and I for one would watch it… I’m not sure it’s just the best British players that people connect with, keep the best players that come over here season on season and you’re onto something. Fletch, Crandall and Justin Robinson are the three that instantly spring to mind. Moneys always going to be the issue though and in the short term I’m not sure throwing money at players is the way to do it. We’ve never had a better chance with Brexit and the import rules around Europe to keep some of the better British players on these shores. Whilst it’s a really bad position for British players who now have vastly decreased chances of going to Europe, the BBL should (and probably already has) capitalise on this as much as they can. I’m fairly sure it’s why the likes of Clark and Teddy O are playing over here, and probably the same for a few others too. That said, is enough being done? Manchester should be rolling Dan Clark out and plastering his face over everything as much as they can given what he’s done and the status he holds for GB. But are we seeing it enough? Clubs have to help themselves too… I also think there’s a lot to be said for more club (even league) owned arenas (fully appreciate that’s a longer term goal). Look at Leicester and Newcastle and the additional revenue a dedicated facility can bring in for you. It’s basically the key to long term stability. And there’s a lot that can be done in between with merchandising and promotion, but the more learned on here already know that. The point is the barrier to now has been cash, and with this injection they really can start meaningful inroads on a number of fronts. I’m not a fan of the top down approach but at the same time you can’t look a gift horse in the mouth, we are where we are and it’s what’s done from here that counts I guess. Your last paragraph there, as depressing as it is, is in my eyes the most likely scenario here. But there’s a chance. For me, the BBL can (and should) ignore the NGBs as much as possible because we know they’ve only ever (in my 15 year association with the game anyway) been interested in covering their own backs and lining their own pockets. Once it’s a success they’ll be the ones coming cap in hand. I do agree with that in the main but to a new fan or convert Dan Clark (as great as he is and has been for the game) is an unknown. His pedigree won’t attract new fans? (Maybe it will but I’m not sure)? GB appearances as great as they are won’t appeal to many? If I was to go to a random ice hockey or netball game with little knowledge - the fact an old GB player was playing wouldn’t necessarily excite? What the kids etc want is identifiable young cool accessible talent (or am I old saying this-maybe I am)? What I’d imagine newbies want is a well presented slick package with loads of off court offers and an identikty - look at how the 100 cricket took off- record sales of merchandise for brand new clubs in a staid old sport and sell out crowds. Ditch the old commentators who give tired old cliches (“downtown” for Gods sake) and get fun young guys etc Maybe I’m wrong and I’m sure I’ll be shot down but things need to change. London have on paper a great package - great venue, winning team and new branding etc yet only get a couple of hundred paying customers I mean, hes as close to a home grown international legend as we have on these shores this season, and hes been a tremendous player - so big him up. If I was going to a sport for the first time and I was told a GB Olympian was playing Id be more interested in it as he must be of a fairly decent standard or have been of a fairly decent standard at some point so I can at least take interest in it. Whats the alternative? He's definitely been one of the reasons basketball fans have taken notice of the Giants this year. The hundred cricket is a great example - but it was a complete format change. Didnt we try that on acid with the Barry Hearn stuff? I agree things do need to change and as Ive said the whole marketing/visibility/presentation stuff needs to be upped as well. Disagree re: londons new branding. I think its a complete mess tantamount to an identity crisis. Looks like its been done on MS Paint. Nowhere near enough engagement with fans (Pat knows that only too well!) and the marketing stinks. |
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Post by connors on Dec 2, 2021 10:53:08 GMT
When I've gone to NBA games in the UK I am pretty sure that there was not live play by play in the arena so not sure why BBL clubs often have that? Is it this constant belief that fans are too stupid to understand the game without being told what is going on?
Equally what I like is a professional game day experience. I don't need loads of half time "entertainment" and neither does my 9 year old. What we would like is decent refreshments, well staffed kiosks and toilets. I pay a fortune to occasionally go and watch Spurs play and 50,000 fans somehow keep coming back without the need to chuck a duck, line up on the pitch to shoot a penalty and without a match commentator explaining everything that is going on.
That is because of the product on the pitch. If the BBL gets the product on the court right the rest will follow.
So if this injection of cash allows teams to put out better basketball with better players that then attracts better TV deals and more fans then good luck to it. History tells me it will fall flat on its face but one can hope!!
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Post by davef on Dec 2, 2021 12:04:01 GMT
There are actually very few bbl teams who do ‘play by play’. Manchester’s guy has verbal diarrhoea but apart that it’s pretty good. Glasgow’s guy is actually far too monosyllabic. John Walker at Guildford gets it pretty much spot on I think.
Also the playing of music during the game has pretty much stopped.
The ‘quality of player’ argument has always totally failed with me. Whatever the quality you have one team is going to be top and one is going to be bottom. And the lack of understanding of the game (which is a whole nother issue) means that fans have no idea of the intricacies or the relative talent level of the players. Bringing in a few more slightly higher level g league players (for instance) isn’t going to change anything
What brings fans in is targeted promotion. Once they are in, the key is not to constantly seek to appeal to a new demographic but to educate and keep the ones you have. Build season ticket holders, gradually increase voucher prices. No point marketing for 10,000 if you only have 2,000 seats.
The fox at Plymouth is the perfect example. Constantly attracting a new bunch of 8-10 year olds who then decide it’s not really cool when they get to 11-13. You become like a hamster running in a wheel.
And Chuck a duck raises about £6k a year for the eagles!😜
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Post by connors on Dec 2, 2021 12:19:21 GMT
I get that a lot of half time stuff is revenue driven. I've been there chucking a duck with my boy and half his teammates many a time for that reason. Support the club and actually it is quite good fun (I've never been successful though!). My point was it was not why I went to watch Eagles and nor why I came back again.
What is great about going to Eagles is that it feels like you are going to a professional sports match in almost every sense. That certainly has not always been the case (probably still is not) at many other BBL venues.
Maybe I am barking up the wrong tree with quality of player. I guess what I was driving at was that an overall increase in quality of players should (in theory) drive the level of play to a potentially more exciting level that might resemble more what many fans and casual fans will have access to watching the NBA/NBA Highlights etc.
"What brings fans in is targeted promotion. Once they are in, the key is not to constantly seek to appeal to a new demographic but to educate and keep the ones you have. Build season ticket holders, gradually increase voucher prices. No point marketing for 10,000 if you only have 2,000 seats."
Agreed!
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Post by davef on Dec 2, 2021 13:27:28 GMT
I mean if we could get NBA level players here then absolutely, the jump in quality would help. So the general point is a reasonable one.
But the difference between a £25k a year player and a £50k a year player (which would require a doubling of a team budget if done across the squad) is not going to move attendances in comparison with the other elements I dont think.
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Post by borthwick on Dec 2, 2021 14:25:24 GMT
When my obsession began it was having good players who came back year on year that attracted me. You build a relationship, you care. I've always had problems with a really good player being replaced and the replaced and the new guy marketed as the best thing ever. And this repeating in 12 months time. Looks at Eagles and Fletch. Tell me that doesn't keep a connection.
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Post by spacejammer on Dec 2, 2021 23:41:59 GMT
I mean if we could get NBA level players here then absolutely, the jump in quality would help. So the general point is a reasonable one. But the difference between a £25k a year player and a £50k a year player (which would require a doubling of a team budget if done across the squad) is not going to move attendances in comparison with the other elements I dont think. I think even with former NBA level players I'm not sure that would attract new fans in their masses unless a team manages to convince a high profile like LeBron, Steph or Luka to sign for a couple of games. If last year i had asked a non basketball fan who Deandre Liggins was most people would have like "who's he"? When it comes to the NBA and the BBL I know a couple of guys who like basketball and follow the NBA but say they don't like the BBL. To me I just look at is although the NBA is the best league in the world which the BBL would never beat it is still our league. Although since I'm from a city with a BBL team that does give me a reason to support the Eagles. I suppose if you were from somewhere like Lincoln for example and their was no BBL team near you then you'd be unlikely to support or follow a bbl team. Where as in football someone from that area may watch Lincoln City in league one and support a Premier league side as well because it is one of the best footy leagues in the world. I suppose this is one of the challenges the bbl has when it comes to expansion and getting new franchises. |
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Post by number23 on Dec 3, 2021 13:11:24 GMT
I suppose if you were from somewhere like Lincoln for example and their was no BBL team near you then you'd be unlikely to support or follow a bbl team. Where as in football someone from that area may watch Lincoln City in league one and support a Premier league side as well because it is one of the best footy leagues in the world. I suppose this is one of the challenges the bbl has when it comes to expansion and getting new franchises. I do agree with this; only the most keen fans will travel much to attend games, so to grow the commercial base we need more local opportunities for fans to get to games. The likes of Eagles and Riders do a great job of building awareness and fanbases in their local area, and I think we need to replicate this model in more locations around the country. Obviously there’s been some spectacular failed attempts at this - we all know the names - but I hope with a more commercially-minded leadership this could improve. I hope markets like Birmingham get the representation they deserve as part of the investment plan. We’ll never see the kind of coverage football - or even rugby/etc - have, but more of the population could have a local pro/semi-pro club to support. |
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Post by spacejammer on Dec 3, 2021 22:35:14 GMT
I suppose if you were from somewhere like Lincoln for example and their was no BBL team near you then you'd be unlikely to support or follow a bbl team. Where as in football someone from that area may watch Lincoln City in league one and support a Premier league side as well because it is one of the best footy leagues in the world. I suppose this is one of the challenges the bbl has when it comes to expansion and getting new franchises. I do agree with this; only the most keen fans will travel much to attend games, so to grow the commercial base we need more local opportunities for fans to get to games. The likes of Eagles and Riders do a great job of building awareness and fanbases in their local area, and I think we need to replicate this model in more locations around the country. Obviously there’s been some spectacular failed attempts at this - we all know the names - but I hope with a more commercially-minded leadership this could improve. I hope markets like Birmingham get the representation they deserve as part of the investment plan. We’ll never see the kind of coverage football - or even rugby/etc - have, but more of the population could have a local pro/semi-pro club to support. It is a pity that the lower leagues don't have the equivalent backing of league 1 football as even teams there are quite well backed. Now that their in EBL league I would be curious to hear what life must be like for Worcester fans having dropped from the BBL now. Ironically as it has been shown in the past even a team in popular and busy city such as Birmingham which being the 2nd largest you'd think a franchise would have no problem there. Can fold if the wrong decisions are made or bad leadership/ownership is in place. This does make me wonder how to expand the BBL in franchises can fall in cities like Birmingham, Leeds or Liverpool etc.. I would love to see a Cardiff or Edinburgh team join the league to expand the UK geographic but cannot see it happening unfortunately. One thing I do think the BBL now has over the NBA is 4 different competitions that are now all in some way different which is exciting when you think about. Sometimes I also find it funny how with US sports nothing can be settled in a one off game but a series. Could you imagine of the football FA Cup had to be decided by a best of 7 series instead of a 1 off game and Man Utd v Chelsea had to face each other 7 times? Although I remembered their was some talk of the NBA commissioner thinking about bringing a knock out tourney to the NBA season. Having said that with an 82 game season plus best of 7 playoffs I suppose they don't exactly need any more fixtures to cram in. |
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Post by Raidersfan on Dec 4, 2021 16:03:11 GMT
Think the BBL and the new investors need to find a way of putting more bums on seats at all current clubs and Having more of a overview on how to run a game day. It was embarrassing watching the sharks. 1 cheerleader, or 3 kids break dancing, and the most god awful music I’ve ever heard on a basketball court of live sports event!!! How can the sharks survive with so few paying to watch a game which on form was a sure thing win!!!!
I’d love the BBL to be south / north conference with 10 teams in both etc, but I can only see the league failing further from the good days
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erd87
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Post by erd87 on Dec 4, 2021 16:36:52 GMT
Think the BBL and the new investors need to find a way of putting more bums on seats at all current clubs and Having more of a overview on how to run a game day. It was embarrassing watching the sharks. 1 cheerleader, or 3 kids break dancing, and the most god awful music I’ve ever heard on a basketball court of live sports event!!! How can the sharks survive with so few paying to watch a game which on form was a sure thing win!!!! I’d love the BBL to be south / north conference with 10 teams in both etc, but I can only see the league failing further from the good days The good old days weren't really the good old days though. It was built on sand and did more harm to the game than good. Loads of people in arenas yes, but most of them there for nothing which devalued the sport to a generation. Nothing will improve if the 90s are the benchmark. Agree on Sharks games though, it's depressing to see what a Sharks fan has to put up with compared to what we have in Newcastle. I had a disenfranchised NUFC fan with me last night for his first game and he couldn't believe the quality of basketball and the atmosphere in the arena. He's already badgering me to come again thisFriday. To see some teams still using 2 Unlimited songs to hype up their fans is awful. Hardly surprising to see their place practically empty, that's the advert for top level basketball for the whole of South Yorkshire. It's pathetic. |
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Post by Raidersfan on Dec 4, 2021 17:17:09 GMT
Think the BBL and the new investors need to find a way of putting more bums on seats at all current clubs and Having more of a overview on how to run a game day. It was embarrassing watching the sharks. 1 cheerleader, or 3 kids break dancing, and the most god awful music I’ve ever heard on a basketball court of live sports event!!! How can the sharks survive with so few paying to watch a game which on form was a sure thing win!!!! I’d love the BBL to be south / north conference with 10 teams in both etc, but I can only see the league failing further from the good days The good old days weren't really the good old days though. It was built on sand and did more harm to the game than good. Loads of people in arenas yes, but most of them there for nothing which devalued the sport to a generation. Nothing will improve if the 90s are the benchmark. Agree on Sharks games though, it's depressing to see what a Sharks fan has to put up with compared to what we have in Newcastle. I had a disenfranchised NUFC fan with me last night for his first game and he couldn't believe the quality of basketball and the atmosphere in the arena. He's already badgering me to come again thisFriday. To see some teams still using 2 Unlimited songs to hype up their fans is awful. Hardly surprising to see their place practically empty, that's the advert for top level basketball for the whole of South Yorkshire. It's pathetic. Yeah understand it was built on debts and no longevity but at least there was a game day atmosphere and presence. Honestly I was watching through my fingers at how…. “Lame” in this was, I wouldn’t watch this for free. It was so cheap looking, there was no feel of a home court presence, it looked like a national league 2 game |
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Post by borthwick on Dec 4, 2021 20:31:59 GMT
There is a lot of negative **** posted about the 90s. Well we had Budweiser sponsor the league, Sainsbury's sponsor the cup, NAT West sponsor the Trophy. We had prime time Sky TV coverage. Yes it attracted some people who thought they could race to another level that proved unsustainable but at least they tried. What Harry W did with Birmingham was great, playing at the NIA. Wish that was back. And the product was MUCH better than it is no and that's a fact.
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Post by spacejammer on Dec 4, 2021 21:41:39 GMT
There is a lot of negative **** posted about the 90s. Well we had Budweiser sponsor the league, Sainsbury's sponsor the cup, NAT West sponsor the Trophy. We had prime time Sky TV coverage. Yes it attracted some people who thought they could race to another level that proved unsustainable but at least they tried. What Harry W did with Birmingham was great, playing at the NIA. Wish that was back. And the product was MUCH better than it is no and that's a fact. But then you have to ask what changed and why is it no longer like the 90's? If that was so fantastic what made all those businesses withdraw the support? At last night Eagles match despite being a sell out the atmosphere feeling like a final towards the end with how we celebrated. I unfortunately did notice in the North and south stands afew rows of empty seats which was a bit disappointing. I mean we still had a good attendance as usual but I hope this ain't a sign our attendances may begin to fall. One thing I think Bigz mentioned which I would like to see is if Sky Sports or BBC did a documentary series for the BBL. A bit like the one for Salford FC with the class of 92 where they followed a BBL team for a season and gave an indepth look into the BBL. I know it's not likely to happen but one can dream. |
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Post by samgray on Dec 4, 2021 22:22:39 GMT
There is a lot of negative **** posted about the 90s. Well we had Budweiser sponsor the league, Sainsbury's sponsor the cup, NAT West sponsor the Trophy. We had prime time Sky TV coverage. Yes it attracted some people who thought they could race to another level that proved unsustainable but at least they tried. What Harry W did with Birmingham was great, playing at the NIA. Wish that was back. And the product was MUCH better than it is no and that's a fact. Have you watched the bbl this season on sky? Different league. |
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Post by notoriousbigz on Dec 4, 2021 22:25:57 GMT
There is a lot of negative **** posted about the 90s. Well we had Budweiser sponsor the league, Sainsbury's sponsor the cup, NAT West sponsor the Trophy. We had prime time Sky TV coverage. Yes it attracted some people who thought they could race to another level that proved unsustainable but at least they tried. What Harry W did with Birmingham was great, playing at the NIA. Wish that was back. And the product was MUCH better than it is no and that's a fact. Have you watched the bbl this season on sky? Different league. Yeah the sky presentation this season is as good as its ever been. |
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erd87
Bench Player
Posts: 135
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Post by erd87 on Dec 4, 2021 22:31:58 GMT
There is a lot of negative **** posted about the 90s. Well we had Budweiser sponsor the league, Sainsbury's sponsor the cup, NAT West sponsor the Trophy. We had prime time Sky TV coverage. Yes it attracted some people who thought they could race to another level that proved unsustainable but at least they tried. What Harry W did with Birmingham was great, playing at the NIA. Wish that was back. And the product was MUCH better than it is no and that's a fact. Have you watched the Sky coverage on Friday nights? Don't think it gets any better than that. Give me what we have today over the 90s, at least it's sustainable and people are actually paying for their basketball. |
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