Gold Coast NBL Licence: Councillors vote on whether to support bid to bring basketball team to city

Gold Coast councillors have made their decision on whether to back an NBL team in the city. This is what it will mean for the future of the planned league expansion.

The Gold Coast is still seeking an National Basketball League licence but it will require the State Government to join the team with funding for a decade long deal.

City councillors are deeply divided about Gold Coast ratepayers investing in an NBL licence with a marathon debate staged behind closed doors at council.

Mayor Tom Tate is to write to the Government for funding support, but the key to the deal will be getting a new stadium and not impacting on stressed local sporting facilities.

A report on the “proposed national basketball league expansion to the Gold Coast” was one of the last items discussed by councillors at a full council meeting on Tuesday.

A meeting agenda said the report and debate was confidential because it involved “local government budget” and “negotiations relating to a commercial matter”.

Councillors continued to discuss the item in a closed session after 4pm at council chambers.

A recommendation put to the vote said council would finalise negotiations on an agreement with the NBL for a 10 year agreement.

Council stadium debate was behind closed doors. Pic by Richard Gosling.

The deal was dependent on the State Government providing 50 per cent of funding for capital works and operational issues.

If the NBL and Government would not partner in the process, the council would defer its interest until building a new indoor stadium.

The vote was a super majority in favour of proceeding pending negotiations. Councillors Naomi Fowler, Brooke Patterson and Dan Doran voted again.

Councillor Glenn Tozer, a self-confessed basketball fan and player, spoke strongly in favour, telling councillors: “There's a lot of interest in our sport.”

Cr Brooke Patterson was opposed, saying there was not a suitable home for the NBL team.

“We don’t have enough space now (for community sports) before we bring this in,” she said.

Senior councillor Peter Young agreed and said he would await a further update.

Councillor Dan Doran asked if the proposal was “a good use of ratepayer money” given officers had worked hard make savings by creating efficiencies in the administration.

Councillor Bob La Castra said he was pleased the Government would be asked “to lift some of the weight” with funding and the agreement was extended from five to ten years.

Councillor Naomi Fowler said it was exciting to bring an NBL team to the city but her experience in marketing showed it was “an uphill battle”. Her preference was to wait until the indoor stadium was built.

Mayor Tom Tate acknowledged councillors were in favour of sport but had concerns about local groups.

He said he wanted to see how council could get support from the Government and let the NBL know they were “welcome in our city”.

A council insider said councillors were split on ticking off on a bid before the debate.

“It will come down to whether the councillors think it will be value for money. It’s a significant financial ask that the NBL is asking from council,” the source said.

Mayor Tom Tate (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images for NBL)

The other factor was the Coast backing the bid also requires a tick for a new stadium.

“Until council get a stadium which can accommodate 10,000 people, it will struggle to make money,” the source said.

“There are three or four councillors who are saying it’s (the licence) a reasonable ask — only for five years. Three or four others are concerned about roads, rates and rubbish.”

It was revealed last month said Coast would get an indoor entertainment and sports stadium — but in a deal breaker it must be built soon if the city is to secure an NBL licence.

City insiders say the stadium will go ahead regardless of the basketball deal.

The most likely location is Southport with Carey Park a favoured site.

Residents are divided on a location with some suggesting the Convention and Exhibition Centre at Broadbeach should be upgraded while others supported Carrara.

Council officers after an investigation found the Coast must have the stadium or risk missing out on the major entertainment from its own NBL stars and team or expanding its $8 billion visitor economy.

Council insiders suggest NBL heavyweights agreed the Gold Coast team can first play out of the Carrara Indoor Centre or Convention Centre.

The City is planning a development similar to RAC Arena in Perth.

But the deal breaker is those options are stopgap measures – and must only be for two seasons before getting a permanent home at a new stadium capable of housing 10,000 fans inside.

Mayor Tom Tate last month declined to divulge a time line but confirmed some details.

“It’s absolutely right. I spoke to the NBL. For them to have a long term team, we can’t do it out of Carrara,” he said.

The NBL after another record-breaking season and arguably the greatest grand final series in history, in April talked up expanding the competition.

CEO David Stevenson said Australia’s domestic basketball competition had bold plans to become bigger and better after the success of its most recent addition, the Tasmanian JackJumpers.

The Gold Coast is touted as a frontrunner for a new team. Putting a team on the court could take at least two years, according to stakeholders.

Follow @PaulWestonGC 

 

Originally published as Gold Coast NBL Licence: Councillors vote on whether to support bid to bring basketball team to city