Adelaide 36ers promise members a refund if NBL season does not go ahead as planned due to coronavirus
Adelaide 36ers have moved to encourage fans to reserve their seat for next season by promising members a refund if they are locked out, or if the NBL season does not go ahead as planned.
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Adelaide 36ers are guaranteeing members their money will be refunded if the 2020-21 NBL season does not go ahead as planned.
In a bid to encourage members to support the club during the coronavirus downturn, the club has moved to give them the confidence of reserving their seat for next summer knowing they will be refunded if the competition is cancelled or fans continue to be locked out of sporting events.
While the club says it is business as usual in planning for next season, its coaching appointment has been put on hold and the majority of staff are on leave until further notice while it deals the virus crisis.
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Membership rose from 2300 to 3600 last season and been on sale for two weeks, with 1500 people signing up for packages worth between $525 for a gold ticket and $290 for general admission.
Adelaide’s pledge to fans comes as AFL clubs face a dire situation if members ask for a refund on money they have already paid for this season, but most say they will work with those who are in personal financial difficulty.
“At such an uncertain time we want to give our members some certainty,” Adelaide 36ers chief executive Ben Kavenagh said.
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“We understand many people are doing it tough, so we want to help them as much as we can to keep that little luxury of a 36ers membership in their life.
“We’ve got very flexible payment plans and if this is still difficult, we ask they just touch base and we’ll find a way to keep them involved.
“Grant Kelley, our chairman, has been very strong with us that we find a way to bring everyone along during these difficult times, so we’ll be as flexible as we can.
“If there is no season they can get their money back, no questions asked.”
Kavenagh said he shared the NBL’s confidence they will be able to start next season as planned after this year’s grand final series between Perth and Sydney was cut short and the Wildcats awarded the title.
“It was great to hear the NBL recently speak to their confidence the season will occur and even that it may start at the normal time and have somewhat of a normal rhythm to it,” Kavenagh said.
“While there is still much detail to work through, we are full steam ahead with our planning.
“Members and fans loved the AEC experience last year and that will only go up a notch.
“We could be the first mainstream sport up and running and with families potentially having been locked up for much of the winter, the thirst for an entertaining night out may be enormous.”
reece.homfray@news.com.au