Golden Expansion Bid

The Gold Coast is set to pitch for an NBL license in 2024, joining the growing list of potential expansion options for the League.

Following the success of the Tasmania JackJumpers’ inaugural season, interest in the NBL has exploded across the country.

Despite two previous stints in the national league, as the “Cougars” and “Rollers” (1990 – 1996) and “Blaze” (2007 – 2012), City of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the city was ready for a new license.

“At a grassroots level, we have some of the highest junior participation … so the enthusiasm is there,” Tate told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

“Historically, when we were a much smaller city, we did bite off more than we could chew (in the NBL).  

“A huge financial challenge was the cost of setting up the flooring and venue hire at Gold Coast Convention Centre (where the Blaze played home games) … It made it so prohibitive that even if we had 2000 people in the stands, we could still not break even, and therefore it wasn’t sustainable.

“I’m sure future owners could arrange a competitive rate at Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre.”

The Gold Coast Rollers, who currently play in the NBL1, are preparing a pitch for re-admission into the country’s top tier competition.

“We’re in the best position now as the city grows, and with the Olympic Games coming up … we can really attack this now and get that NBL team over the line,” Rollers head of marketing and promotions Billy Cross said.

“The city’s ready for it – given what’s happening with population growth, we’re in the right stage to really pitch for this.”

The NBL is testing the appetite of the Darwin community during next month’s NBL Blitz, with tickets already selling fast.

“This is a really great test for everyone if we can come together and make it work,” the League’s chief operating officer Vince Crivelli said.

“What we need to test now is whether or not there’s an appetite from the consumer, the business community and the government to bring it all together."

Click here for the full story >> Gold Coast city powerbrokers preparing to pitch for an NBL licence by 2024