’Disgraceful’: Basketball figures urge 2032 Olympic organisers to deliver on promised 17,000-seat Brisbane Arena

The Queensland government’s wish to keep costs down for the 2032 Olympics could leave the Brisbane Bullets and Basketball Queensland without a long-term home.

Prominent basketball figures have urged 2032 Olympic organisers to build the promised 17,000-seat Brisbane Arena to avoid a “disgraceful” decision that would leave the NBL’s Bullets without a long-term home.

Uncertainty hangs over the mooted inner-city venue after it emerged the Queensland government was attempting to keep the cost of Games infrastructure under $7.1 billion.

The federal government, in 2021, allocated $2.5 billion in funding for Brisbane Arena.

Federal Treasurer and Logan-based MP Jim Chalmers, on Wednesday, backed the inner-city entertainment arena.

The arena has the backing of Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

However, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton wouldn’t confirm if a Coalition government would honour the $2.5 billion commitment to the arena.

It comes as the Queensland government is thought to be considering axing the venue and pushing the federal government to reallocate its funding.

An artists impression of the proposed Brisbane Arena. Picture: Supplied

The Bullets have supported a public-private partnership approach as the best solution for the arena and have pitched a funding and operating model.

Club chief executive Mal Watts sees the venue as the long-term home of the Bullets and believes it will attract other major events well after the Olympics conclude.

Watts feels it is important for Games organisers to think of the big picture.

New Brisbane Bullets CEO Malcolm Watts sees the mooted Brisbane Arena as a long-term home for the Bullets. Picture: John Gass

“Brisbane has been making significant strides over the last decade and has evolved into a desirable destination for people to live, work and play,” Watts said.

“The city deserves a state-of-the-art arena in the heart of the CBD.

“We believe the data on participation and growth when it comes to basketball in this country is hard to ignore. No code is growing at the rate that basketball is growing.”

Participation in the sport in Queensland has grown from 116,000 in 2017 to 236,000 in 2023.

Watts says the growth of basketball participation is a strong argument for the new stadium. Picture: Sharon Woodward.

A basketball insider made their feelings clear about the importance of Brisbane Arena being built for basketball.

“I think it would be a disgrace for the sport of basketball if they don’t build a bigger venue,” the insider said.

“Basketball runs for the entire Games and the revenue is significant, plus the venue will be used for years to come.”

There are also genuine fears the government could abandon some or all of the 54 new indoor courts across five new stadiums, promised as part of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic commitment.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli is a key figure in the negotiations. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Five new indoor stadiums are meant to be built at Chandler, Sunshine Coast, Logan, Moreton Bay and Brisbane.

But, amid the doubt, Basketball Queensland boss Josh Pascoe hoped all of the promised courts would come to fruition – a stance backed by Basketball Australia.

“Basketball Queensland has worked with all levels of government to ensure they are aware of the significant shortfall of indoor sporting facilities within Queensland to meet the demand our sport is experiencing,” Pascoe said.

“It is Basketball Queensland’s hope that, following the 100-Day Review, all levels of government can move forward with the planning and ultimately construction of the vital legacy infrastructure that was committed for Brisbane 2032 to enable more young people to be active now and into the future.”

Originally published as ’Disgraceful’: Basketball figures urge 2032 Olympic organisers to deliver on promised 17,000-seat Brisbane Arena