Perth could be one and done for HoopsFest as door is left open for event to travel, Super Bowl style
With Perth being locked in to just a one year deal for basketball’s collaborative extravaganza, HoopsFest, the door has been left wide open for the event to travel annually, Super Bowl style.
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NBL CEO David Stevenson has opened the door for basketball’s collaborative extravaganza, ‘HoopsFest’ to be shared around the country, Super Bowl style.
All 10 NBL clubs will converge on the Western Australian capital to play the opening round at RAC Arena.
It’s a model following in the footsteps of the AFL and NRL’s Gather and Magic Rounds, but basketball is aiming to go bigger and better with a broader whole sport approach.
The women will play in the same city as the men for the first time via a WNBL pre-season tournament.
Basketball’s finest emerging talent will also be on show through the Australian Under 18s Club Championships.
The Western Australian government has locked in a one-year deal for Perth to host HoopsFest in 2024, and while the NBL is focused on making it a success, Stevenson hasn’t ruled out taking the event to multiple locations.
The former GM of Operations at the AFL, who played a major role in the creation of the sport’s Gather Round in Adelaide, can see similar reach and potential for basketball’s HoopsFest.
“In the future there will be other cities that we will look at,” Stevenson said when asked about taking the HoopsFest concept on the road in the coming years like America’s Super Bowl that shares the marquee event based on the highest bidder.
“Officially it’s a one-year deal and clearly there is intent from the WA government to hold onto the event long-term.
“We’d love to be able to build a great tradition here, but it’s exactly the same thing that we did with the AFL Gather Round.
“You want to be able to learn the first time. See what works, see what doesn’t and then adjust as you need.”
Stevenson says the sport’s growth would be the motivation to host HoopsFest in different cities in the coming years.
He believes basketball has a broad reach and it’s vital the sport’s powerbrokers capitalise.
“Because what you see is the power of the sport coming together,” he said.
“If you can take that into markets that can really convert new fans, then this is exactly what this (event) is about.
“Yes, the fans who are existing will love the event, but it’s also about us getting new fans.
“But for now, all our focus is making it really strong in Perth.”
Basketball’s main advantage over its domestic rivals is the sport’s strength at all levels.
It’s why officials wanted to unite the men, women and the juniors for the HoopsFest event.
“It’s incredibly important and I think that is our competitive advantage,” Stevenson said.
“So, today when you have the whole sport coming together all through the lens of a great fan experience.
“No other sport can do that, so we think this is the start of this powerful new era for basketball working as one organisation.”
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Originally published as Perth could be one and done for HoopsFest as door is left open for event to travel, Super Bowl style
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