Championship defence set to begin in 2021

The Perth Wildcats championship defence is now set to begin in the new year, after the NBL released a revised commencement plan for the upcoming season.

In a statement, NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman said the decision for the delay was made to increase the likelihood of games being played in front crowds.

“After consulting with the nine NBL clubs and the Australian Basketball Players’ Association and acting on the advice of our NBL Return to Competition Taskforce, we have decided the start of the season will be delayed until at least mid-January,” said Mr Kestelman.

“We will remain flexible about the exact start date and this will depend on a number of factors including travel and border restrictions, community transmission numbers and availability at venues across Australia and New Zealand.

“As always, the health and safety of our players, staff and fans will be our number one priority. But we also remain focused on playing in front of fans as they are the lifeblood of the league.”

The NBL remains committed to a full 28-game regular season, with hub scenarios to be considered in order to achieve this.

Perth Wildcats CEO Troy Georgiu believes WA is clearly the best location for an NBL hub.

“Perth Wildcats home games at RAC Arena have averaged 12,881 fans over the last three regular seasons, clearly the most of any team by a significant margin,” he said.

“West Australians have been the nation’s best supporters of basketball for many years now and I have no doubt they’ll throw their full support, not only behind the Wildcats, but the NBL as a whole if a hub was to be based here in WA.

“We have the venues and facilities and, considering we’ve had more than five months without community transmission of COVID-19, WA is clearly the safest option as well.”

Based on the latest health advice, the West Australian Government has tentatively planned to implement Phase 5 restrictions from 24 October.

Should this occur, WA venues will be able to host capacity crowds from this date.