Call to bring NBA stars to Brisbane in tourism events coup
The man who brought boxing legend Manny Pacquiao to Queensland says an NBA series in Brisbane could happen and would generate a massive cash injection for the state economy.
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Queensland should lure the world’s biggest basketball stars and go hard for the 2032 Olympic Games as part of a sports-fuelled economic recovery targeting major global events.
The man who brought boxing legend Manny Pacquiao to Queensland says the Olympics should be our No.1 priority, but bringing NBA legends like LeBron James and Steph Curry to the Sunshine State isn’t out of the question.
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Queensland is already banking on a $60 million cash injection between now and Christmas thanks to a feast of major sporting events including the AFL Grand Final, Suncorp Super Netball finals and the Bledisloe Cup rugby.
The next decade could also include games for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, the 2026 Gay Games, the 2027 Rugby World Cup and the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.
Powerhouse sports promoter Dean Lonergan, who orchestrated last month’s Jeff Horn-Tim Tszyu megafight in Townsville, said Tourism & Events Queensland had the runs on the board with attracting the right sporting showcases that delivered on investment, and the state’s handling of COVID-19 had it well positioned to attract more global events.
“TEQ always looks to do things with a fiscal responsibility and to ensure value for money for Queensland,” he said. “Long-term, we have to go after big events. Olympics has to be number one. But then we can think outside the square and look to put a Queensland and Australian flair on anything we go after.
“You need to look at what tourism market you want to appeal to, and match that to the event space.
“We know China, New Zealand and the US are our biggest tourism markets.”
Mr Lonergan said while the US market would be challenged by the ongoing COVID crisis, attracting one of their signature sports would be possible.
“The NBA or (NFL) football would be worth looking at. It would be hellishly expensive but can be done,” he said.
“The NBA would be a great way to launch the new Brisbane Live venue.
“It would be a lay down misere, and achievable. You wouldn’t just go for one game but a series and you’d go after a high profile team like (LeBron James’) LA Lakers, perhaps against Sacramento and (Steph Curry’s) Golden State Warriors.
“The Lakers have massive appeal, they’re on the west coast of the US, California is the fifth largest economy in the world, and they’re a tourism market we want to sell Queensland to.
“You’d have to deal with the NBA which can be a long process and expensive, but it’s a hell of an opportunity. Your ticketing market across Australia, New Zealand, as well as China would be huge. You could fill the stadium three times over.”
The Queensland Government is still working through plans for the $2 billion Brisbane Live entertainment venue, to be built as part of the new Roma St precinct that will include Cross River Rail.
The 18,000-seat venue and surrounding entertainment precinct is modelled on the LA Live complex in downtown Los Angeles, which includes the STAPLES Center, home of the Lakers.