NBL: United and Phoenix moving out of Melbourne following Covid-19 outbreak

Due to a Covid-19 outbreak, Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix are relocating to Queensland.

NBL teams Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix will be temporarily relocated to Queensland due to the Covid-19 situation developing in Victoria’s capital city.

United, who beat the Bullets at Nissan Arena on Monday night, will stay in Brisbane until they leave for their clash against the Kings in Sydney on Saturday.

The Phoenix were set to depart on Tuesday for Cairns.

The teams were supposed to meet in Melbourne on Saturday night, but that game may be moved, as might the United-Taipans clash in Melbourne on Monday night.

The NBL has announced @MelbUnitedHQ and the @SEMelbPhoenix will be temporarily relocated to Queensland.

United remain in Brisbane and will travel to Sydney on Saturday. SEM will travel to Cairns this afternoon as the NBL continues to monitor the COVID situation in Melbourne.

— The NBL (@NBL) May 25, 2021

“We have faced a number of challenges this season and the current situation in Victoria is just another that we need to navigate,” NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said.

“We thank both Melbourne United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix for their understanding and flexibility in very trying circumstances and hope we can get them home as soon as possible.

“The health and safety of our players, coaches, referees, staff and fans remains our number one priority and, as always, our decisions will be guided by the advice of the relevant health authorities.”

Originally published as NBL: United and Phoenix moving out of Melbourne following Covid-19 outbreak