NBL proposes delaying season start to December to maximise crowds

The NBL has proposed a drastic fixture change in an effort to have more fans at games next season as vaccination rates lag in some states.

The NBL has proposed delaying the season start until mid-December to maximise crowd attendance. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The NBL has proposed delaying the season start until mid-December to maximise crowd attendance.

The season is set to start on November 18, but NBL officials have told all 10 clubs to remain flexible and monitor the double-dose vaccination rates to give the league the best chance of having crowds at games.

While NSW is set to reach the vaccination milestone in mid-October, the other states are lagging.

The Victorian government, and others, have projected a mid-November for the 80 per cent double-dose mark.

This has prompted the NBL to propose delaying the season to December 10 to give clubs the best chance to play at home venues in front of fans.

The 2021/22 NBL season could be delayed until December. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

The league will allow teams more time to get their squads together, including imports stuck overseas.

The NBL also told clubs that relocation was a last resort but could be required in the early parts of the season.

The New Zealand Breakers, who spent the majority of last season based in Australia due to Covid restrictions, have backed the proposal for a delayed season.

Spending months away from their families last season had a significant mental toll on the players, and the club is understandably keen to return to a normal season.

It’s why the NBL’s proposal to delay the season until December has received support from the majority of clubs.

The league has already delayed the season from October to November due to the ongoing pandemic.

At the time, NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said it made perfect sense to push back the season in the current Covid climate.

“Based on expert advice and based on our own experiences from last season, delaying a month gives us more flexibility and, most importantly, it provides fans a much better chance of attending more games in Australia and New Zealand as the number of people vaccinated against Covid increases towards the end of the year,” Loeliger said.

“We know our fans have been eagerly awaiting this announcement and we hope they continue to get right behind the players and clubs as the NBL continues to break new ground and takes things to the next level.

“There’s so much to look forward to with the inclusion of our newest team, the Tasmania JackJumpers, and an exciting new group of Next Stars set to launch their careers.”

Originally published as NBL proposes delaying season start to December to maximise crowds