Fans of NBL and A-League can go to games, not to war, under new deal
After days of social media fury over the relative positions of football and basketball, it can be revealed that Sydney FC and the Sydney Kings have brokered a deal that is a big win for fans of both clubs.
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It’s arguably the biggest plot twist since Ned lost his head in Game of Thrones, and proves that sports in Sydney don’t always have to be fighting each other for oxygen.
After days of social media fury over the relative positions of football and basketball in the city’s sporting market, it can be revealed that Sydney FC and the Sydney Kings have been engaged in high-level back-channel diplomacy to achieve an armistice – by inviting their supporters to each other’s games.
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Recognising that the crossover of each fan base might not be significant, the two clubs want them to go to games rather than go to war over which is the most popular.
It comes days after hyperbolic coverage of the Kings’ record crowd last Sunday against the Hawks – a touch over 17,000 at the Qudos Bank Arena – sparked incredulous responses from football’s followers, comparing the relative sports’ average crowds and TV ratings.
Code wars are a natural outcome of being a country with a small population and a general sports obsession, but that doesn’t make the new NBL vs A-League storyline any less dumb
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) November 17, 2019
In my opinion, the A-League has always had an aggressive disposition toward rival sporting codes, namely, the AFL. The NBL has (rightfully) adopted a much more conciliatory approach without being obsequious. There's no reason for the NBL and the A-League to fight #NBL20
— Seb Greenway (@SebGreenway) November 19, 2019
The NBL today was what the A-League was like 10 years ago. People are talking NBL and suddenly I want to go.
— Ricky Bush (@thebushnews) July 16, 2019
In such a competitive market, where gaining fans and viewers usually comes at the expense of another sport, such collaboration is unusual.
But then the owner of the Kings, Paul Smith, and Sydney FC CEO Danny Townsend, have something of a unique relationship.
Together in 2004 they launched Repucom, the sports and entertainment marketing intelligence company that now spans the globe and employs thousands of people.
Though the partnership broke up when Repucom was sold in 2016, it was an easy phone call to establish the ticketing deal that threatens to make fans friends again.
“I’ve known Paul for 20 years, and knew he’d be on board with this partnership,” Townsend said.
“We’re both Sydneysiders and are very proud of the backing each club gives to one another in representing this great city.
“So far from being at war, we’re very much in full support.”
Under the terms of the deal, members of the Kings and Sydney FC will get access to a game of the other team, with members to be sent details in the next few days.
“Sydney is a big city with a lot of people, and we plan to motivate as many fans as possible to experience our sport, be it basketball or football, at the highest level,” Smith said. “Collaborating and supporting each other is the key to that.”
It’s not the only link between the two clubs either, with several of the Sky Blues keen attendees at Kings games – notably Milos Ninkovic and Adam Le Fondre.