A salary cap-type system has been confirmed for the National Basketball League.
The league announced yesterday it will implement a competitive balance system next year.
That will limit teams to spending $200,000 on players, while also enforcing a minimum of $100,000.
It is a step towards evening the field in the NBL.
The league has historically seen an imbalance and those with funds have been able to spend up large on top players.
NBL general manager Justin Nelson said it was an important move and one for which fans had been asking.
''It's a very positive step forward for the Sal's NBL, a move that is required to ensure our teams are sustainable and operating with fiscal responsibility,'' explained Nelson.
''This is also a move that the fans want, hands down.
''I get to as many games as I can each week and I always stop and speak with the fans and ask them what they do and don't like about the league?
''The message from them has been loud and clear - they want an even playing field and for the teams to be sustainable long-term.
''The gap between the lowest and highest-paying teams needs to be closed and the competitive balance system will do that over the next five years.
''Importantly, the system is as much about raising the bar and lifting the lower levels, as much as it is about ensuring we don't have a lopsided competition due to the ability of some teams to spend more money than others.''
Like other competitions around the world, the system will include a tax for over-spending.
