Basketball: Review delay leaves Nuggets in limbo

The Otago Nuggets will have to wait two more weeks before finding out whether they have a future in the National Basketball League.

Basketball New Zealand is reviewing the tournament and was due to report its findings to the franchises at the end of July.

Among other issues it was looking at the viability of the 10 existing franchises.

But Sparc has got involved and is looking at the structure of the tournament, and will make its recommendations on August 12.

The delay means the Nuggets have had to put off making important decisions about next season, including appointing a coach.

American Don Sims is keen to come back for another season and had hoped to sign a contract before he flew back to the US at the end of the NBL season.

But with the Nuggets' future uncertain, Basketball Otago chief executive Mark Rogers said the organisation was reluctant to bind itself to any commitments it might not be able to honour.

"We are still waiting on the outcome of that [review] before we make any decisions," Rogers said.

"Don is aware of where the process is at. I keep him up to date with any progress and he is still very keen to come back.

"He needs to make decisions about his future pretty soon as well. So we are waiting to get some answers so we can talk to him [further]."

Rogers said the Nuggets had completed their annual review with the sponsors and the discussions were promising.

"Obviously we aren't asking them to commit to next year until we know what the structure is and what we can promise them. But the feedback from them all has been very positive."

Rogers said most of the sponsors had expressed interest in being involved again next year.

 

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