Tasmania JackJumpers: How NBL championship ‘halo effect’ will set club up for massive future

After winning the coveted NBL championship, the Tasmania JackJumpers are likely to enjoy a prolonged ‘halo effect’ that could help them build a dynasty, a sport management expert says.

JackJumpers celebrate with the trophy during game five of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series between Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

The Tasmania JackJumpers’ championship win will help attract star free agents to the club and prompt would-be sponsors to bang down the door of Jackies HQ – but the organisation has been urged to remain wary of the “double-edged sword” of success.

Dr Hunter Fujak, a lecturer in sport management at Deakin University, said because the JackJumpers already had such a passionate supporter base, its championship windfall may not be as large as it could have been for some other small market teams.

“It’s a testament, really, to the success of the club that the windfall might not be absolutely humungous, simply because the club is set in such strong foundations,” he said.

Players and coaches often have bonuses baked into their contracts for accolades including end-of-season awards and championships but the NBL was unable to provide a breakdown of the overall prize money the JackJumpers received for winning the league.

Dr Hunter Fujak, lecturer in sport management at Deakin University, says the Tasmania JackJumpers’ championship win will see sponsors lining up. Picture: Supplied

Dr Fujak said the Jackies’ title win coming so early on in the club’s existence meant there would be a “halo residual effect spanning multiple years”.

“Even if you have a strong club, which clearly the JackJumpers are, having that early success will really have a multi-year effect in terms of bringing people to games and attracting them to support the club,” he said.

The two primary championship “dividends” for the Jackies, according to Dr Fujak, will be an increased ability to attract and retain good players and a stronger appeal to prospective sponsors.

“Obviously the club generally becomes more supported and is perceived more favourably in terms of its brand,” he said.

Jack McVeigh of the JackJumpers drives to the basket under pressure from Shea Ili of United during game five of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Players from other teams across the world are also likely to want a piece of Tasmania’s NBL success, Dr Fujak said, and would recognise that the JackJumpers have built a strong culture.

“A premiership might help with the recruitment and retention of players to really perpetuate that success,” he said.

However, the Jackies will need to be sure not to become “victims of their own success” as the value of their championship guns will now have increased and there is a “double-edged sword” of winning that could result in international teams seeking to poach players away from Tasmania.

JackJumpers head coach Scott Roth reacts as Clint Steindl of the JackJumpers speaks to the media after winning game five of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Dr Fujak said the club’s capacity for growth in the wake of the championship was “unfortunately” hampered by its home arena being at capacity.

But he believes the JackJumpers’ achievement will give the organisation the leverage it needs to secure state government funding to expand and upgrade MyState Bank Arena.

“When the North Queensland Cowboys won their premiership, it was the catalyst for them to demand a new stadium, which they got,” Dr Fujak said.

“And maybe this is an interesting parallel – could this [JackJumpers championship] be used to propagate that argument that actually a new modern indoor stadium would be beneficial?”

Originally published as Tasmania JackJumpers: How NBL championship ‘halo effect’ will set club up for massive future