With NBL Tip-Off Pushed to 2021, Wildcats Make the Case for WA Bubble

We will live to hoop another day.

Our dream of seeing some more basketball in Australia this year has been deflated, with the NBL announcing a delay to the 2020 – 21 season.

In fact, we can just go ahead and call it the 2021 season, with tip-off pushed from December 2020 to "early 2021".

NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman said in a statement the decision came after consultation with the nine NBL clubs and the Australian Basketball Players Association, and is based on the advice of the NBL Return to Competition Taskforce.

"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," he said, indicating that a return without fans (as in the NBA’s current Orlando bubble) wasn’t on the cards.

Though the statement said the start of the season will be delayed until at least mid-January, Kestelman added the league will "remain flexible about the exact start date."

"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," he explained.

"We intend to play a full season and, if needed, we will play in one or more hubs to achieve this. We are currently having positive discussions with a number of interested States about potential locations."

Perth Wildcats CEO Troy Georgiu followed Kestelman’s statement with one of his own, suggesting that the home of the current championship trophy (though this one came with some controversy) would be the best location for an NBL hub. It was certainly the home of the most off-season drama, what with MVP Bryce Cotton opting out of his contract only to re-sign with the team soon after.

"Perth Wildcats home games at RAC Arena have averaged 12,881 fans over the last three regular seasons, clearly the most of any team by a significant margin," he said.

"West Australians have been the nation’s best supporters of basketball for many years now and I have no doubt they’ll throw their full support, not only behind the Wildcats, but the NBL as a whole if a hub was to be based here in WA.

"We have the venues and facilities and, considering we’ve had more than five months without community transmission of COVID-19, WA is clearly the safest option as well."

A statement from the Wildcats also noted that WA venues will be able to host capacity crowds from 24 October, should the state hold onto that date for the implementation of Phase 5 restrictions. However, it's not known when the state government will cease the 14-day quarantine period required for interstate visitors (which may play a part in the NBL's decision).

Earlier this month, ESPN reported that the NBL was looking into four potential bubbles in either New Zealand, Cairns, Adelaide and Perth. Victoria and NSW were also keen to house a bubble.

South East Melbourne Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer has said his team is "planning for multiple different outcomes and will be prepared for all scenarios." It is one of two Melbourne teams that may end up having to start the season outside of its home state, along with Melbourne United.

Meanwhile, the Sydney Kings, who faced off against the Wildcats in the fan-less Finals this year, welcomed the delay and the push to play in front of punters. The team said in a statement they are working with Qudos Bank Arena to ensure their home venue meets health and safety guidelines by the time they are allowed to play there again.