Why Andrew Bogut knocked back Melbourne United to become the Sydney Kings’ marquee man
ANDREW Bogut was just a signature away from joining Melbourne United when the Sydney Kings pulled off the greatest eleventh hour signing heist in NBL history. Matt Logue on how it happened.
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ANDREW Bogut was just a signature away from joining Melbourne United when the Sydney Kings pulled off the greatest eleventh hour signing heist in NBL history.
In mid-April, Bogut’s deal to join his hometown NBL franchise was all but sealed then United tabled their commercial terms, which included the prospect of controlling the former NBA champion’s intellectual property.
The request did not sit well with Bogut, who is well aware of the value of owning his own brand.
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That’s when the Kings swooped.
After numerous conversations dating back over a decade, Kings general manager of basketball Jeff Van Groningen thought he’d reach out to Bogut one last time.
It started with a simple phone call, a meeting at Crown Casino in Melbourne and, in just three days, the Kings had their man.
In the end, Bogut was sold on Sydney’s business vision for the future.
The Kings’ contract also included part ownership of the franchise when he retires.
Bogut has a 10 per cent share in Sydney now while he could take up to a 50 per cent share once he finishes playing.
This visionary approach played a vital role in securing the veteran NBA big man on a historic two-year deal.
Bogut joining archrivals Sydney was a tough pill to swallow for Melbourne but, in the end, they couldn’t come to a commercial agreement.
United CEO Vince Crivelli was shattered at the time but with hindsight he is happy to see the former NBA champion playing in Australia.
“When you are dealing with a player like Andrew the deal is multilayered and we just couldn’t get it done,” Crivelli told The Saturday Telegraph.
“We weren’t able to come to an agreement that worked for everybody.
“Like any player he (Andrew) tested his free agency and he was able to get a deal in Sydney that worked.
“We were disappointed and I think at the time maybe for a minute he might have been disappointed.
“But he has ended up at the best place for him and for the league, in terms of the impact he is having on the Sydney market.
“I think it is absolutely phenomenal the work that has gone into Andrew in Sydney and how much he is committed to doing to help grow the sport.”
Instead of worrying about the past, Crivelli is focused on the present and a blockbuster clash against Bogut’s Sydney Kings at Hisense Arena on Monday.
The clash is officially sold out, with 10,500 supporters to attend.
Crivelli can’t wait for the next chapter of the Sydney versus Melbourne rivalry.
“Andrew will want to come in here and win and we want to be beat him to send him back to Sydney with a loss,” he said.
“But it is like any player, some you win and some you lose.
“We lost and Sydney won but ultimately the league wins.”
*The Kings take on defending champions United in Melbourne on Monday night from 7.50pm.