Double dribble as Sydney Kings and Sky Blues unite

Days after A-League fans took exception to comparisons with the NBL, the sports are set to announce a historic ticket partnership.

Sydney Kings’ Jordan Hunter and Sydney FC’s Michael Zullo take to the air at Rushcutters Bay, Sydney to mark a new sports partnership. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It’s arguably the biggest plot twist since Ned lost his head in Game of Thrones, and proves 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 soccer’s A-League and National Basketball League 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. Recognising the crossover of each fan base might not be significant, the two clubs want their supporters to go to games, rather than go to war over which is the more popular.

It comes days after coverage of the Kings’ record crowd last Sunday against Illawarra Hawks – a touch over 17,000 at the Kudos Bank Arena – sparked outraged responses from A-League followers, comparing the relative competitions’ average crowds and TV ratings.

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 chief executive 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.

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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 explained.

“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 complimentary 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.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH