The Logue Down: The move set to end Ben Simmons’ ugly trade standoff with Philadelphia 76ers
Australian NBA superstar Ben Simmons’ ugly trade standoff with the Philadelphia 76ers is edging closer to a conclusion following the move. THE LOGUE DOWN
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Dave Simmons will fly to America this week in the biggest sign that his son’s ugly trade standoff with the Philadelphia 76ers is closer to a conclusion.
Aussie star Ben Simmons hasn’t played since June when the Sixers lost in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Atlanta Hawks.
Simmons was questioned by the Philly fans and even his own teammates and coach for his poor shooting during the series, sparking tension between Ben and the franchise.
The Melbourne-born guard refused to return to Philadelphia pre-season training while the two parties worked through an inevitable trade.
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The Sixers have struggled to find a club willing to offer a quality package in return for Simmons, but it appears a resolution is close.
Up to seven NBA teams have expressed interest in the three-time All-Star, including Portland, Cleveland, Dallas and New Orleans.
Simmons senior, who was spotted at Melbourne United’s home clash against Sydney on Thursday, has spent most of the year in Australia.
NBL for sale? Larry’s big plan
The NBL could become the latest Australian sport to sell a stake of the league to a private equity company.
On the back of the A-Leagues’ landmark deal with US firm Silver Lake, NBL owner Larry Kestelman has expressed interest in following football’s lead in an attempt to secure Australian basketball’s future.
Kestelman is travelling to New York in the New Year to talk to potential investors about expanding the ownership of the NBL.
However, there could be challenges as some clubs have privately expressed concern about the private equity model.
Kestelman owns the 10-team NBL league, meaning the majority of profit goes to him and not the clubs.
This will prompt further discussions between Kestelman and the NBL clubs on the game’s future direction.
Unlike the A-League’s private equity arrangement with Silver Lake, the clubs will reportedly receive funds for marquee player signings.
Silver Lake have taken a 33.3 per cent minority stake in the A-Leagues (men and women) worth nearly AUS$140 million (US$100 million). The sum values the entire A-Leagues organisation at AUS$425 million (US$303 million).
Kestelman purchased the Australian men’s domestic league for $7 million in 2015, but basketball has since surged, raising the question: how much is the NBL now worth?
The league has sold the TV rights for the first time via ESPN, Foxtel, Kayo and 10 Peach, while crowds and viewership numbers have increased.
The overall total NBL game views are 43 per cent up on last season after two rounds. Over 650,000 viewers have switched on across Free to Air, subscription TV and streaming to watch Sunday hoops between 1-5pm over the first two rounds.
The total attendance is up close to 100 per cent on last season, with both rounds 1 and 2 attracting over 40,000 spectators each.
This is the first time since 1994 that more than 40,000 fans attended each of the first two rounds.
All these statistics, combined with basketball’s global popularity and the NBL’s respected link to the NBA as a genuine pathway, have sparked Kestelman’s interest in private equity.
The private equity craze has particularly exploded in the United States.
In the last 20 months, Arctos Sports Partners has taken stakes in 12 American teams, including Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox and the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.
Blue Owl Capital’s Dyal Capital has also purchased portions of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings.
Until recently, top sports leagues in the US refused to allow private equity ownership of teams, fearing it would create an unwieldy and unstable ownership structure.
This has changed and now the craze is catching on globally with the BBL cricket looking at selling off teams, while rugby’s highly successful New Zealand All-Blacks are also interested in private equity.
MILLS AND THE NT A MARRIAGE MADE IN HEAVEN
Imagine Boomers and NBA star Patty Mills in charge of a Northern Territory based NBL team.
Sounds like a pipedream, but NBL legend Chris Anstey would like to see it happen when the league is ready to expand.
“Could you imagine if Patty chose to become a part-owner of a franchise in the Northern Territory?,” Anstey told the Logue Down basketball podcast.
“We’ve already got so many great indigenous athletes spread across the country and overseas, but they would have a greater connection and sense of purpose to come back and play in a national basketball team that is based in the Northern Territory and be part of the first ever professional team there.
“The people up there are sports mad and one of the years I played, we had the pre-season Blitz up there and it was great.
“They’ve got the infrastructure and I think that would be an incredible story and it would be special if it can be sustainable through national and government support and funding.”
âï¸ INTRODUCING OUR NUMBER 1 TICKET HOLDER âï¸
— Melbourne United (@MelbUnitedHQ) December 15, 2021
We are very excited to announce our Number 1 Ticket Holder for the 2021-22 season will be none other than multi-award winning Australian artist, @tonesandimusic!
Welcome to the team Tones!
Read more here: https://t.co/VRPUgvuVMvpic.twitter.com/IaNNbcyRmc
GLOBAL SINGER GIVING BACK TO HOOPS
Award-winning Australian artist Tones And I has big plans on the music front, but you can also add basketball to her budding ambitions.
The former Frankstown Blues junior, who last week became Melbourne United’s No.1 ticket holder, is determined to use her profile and platform to encourage kids to play hoops across the nation.
I’m told she is even keen to build more courts, especially in areas that struggle for facilities.
Her breakout hit Dance Monkey has accrued the gargantuan total of 7 billion streams worldwide, plus 1.7 billion views on YouTube, and has gone platinum 16 times.
Speaking to the team at United training, Tones touched on her excitement about being recognised as the side’s number 1 fan.
“I’ve played basketball my whole life … so going into music and being able to come back, you guys have really given me a really good reason to smile.”
BOGUT’S BIG CURRY PREDICTION
Andrew Bogut always knew his former Golden State Warriors teammate Steph Curry was destined to break the NBA’s all-time record for threes, given he has long shot at a high clip.
“But I’m more intrigued to see what the bar is set at before he retires,” Bogut said about Curry, who recently surpassed Ray Allen’s record for 2973 threes made.
“He has every chance to get to the mid-3000s and hopefully 4000 with the way that he shoots the ball.
“If he can play another five years, he could get there, but it is just the time that he puts into his shooting as well.”
To hear more from Bogut, listen to the Rogue Bogues Podcast.
1.Stephen Curry 2982
2.Ray Allen 2973
3.Reggie Miller 2560
4.James Harden 2509
5.Kyle Korver 2450
6.Vince Carter 2290
7.Jason Terry 2282
8.Jamal Crawford 2221
9.Paul Pierce 2143
10.Damian Lillard 2125
Eli 🤠Delly https://t.co/My3o06L1Dupic.twitter.com/yOdcTdkREP
— Melbourne United (@MelbUnitedHQ) December 16, 2021
LIKE: A shoutout to United star Matthew Dellavedova for taking the time to pose for a photo with a fan after Thursday’s big Sydney win. Young Eli made a Dellavedova poster featuring the former NBA star’s career highlights, including this year’s Olympic bronze medal with the Boomers, and brought it to the game. Delly was more than happy to meet Eli, who was equally thrilled to meet his idol.
DISLIKE: Brisbane’s Deng Deng flopping like a football player when he copped a love tap from Perth import Vic Law on Friday night.
Don’t get me wrong, Law deserved to be cited for headbutting, but Deng’s delayed reaction and decision to throw himself to the ground was embarrassing.
SHOOSH: Which NBL club inquired about former NBA forward Thon Maker during the off-season, but opted not to go down that path?
SPOTTED: Which NBL coach was seen on his phone during a game?
Gym then labour: WNBL star pens return six weeks post child birth
Lauren Nicholson was at the gym six weeks ago when she went into labour. Now the WNBL champion has penned her return to the court in what could be the quickest comeback ever.
Mills announces baby joy as NBL speculation continues to bubble
Australian NBA and Boomers star Patty Mills and his wife Alyssa have announced their baby joy to the world, adding further speculation to his potential NBL homecoming.