Brisbane Bullets update

I know they probably won't be called the Bullets, but here's a press release I received today about the quest to get a Brisbane team back in to the NBL. Word on the street leads me to believe that it may not happen for 2009 but let's hope it does. Best of luck to Narelle and the team!

BRISBANE NBL TEAM

Brisbane NBL Back ON Board; an initiative developed by Basketball Queensland has been further encouraged by positive outcomes in a recent meeting.

The meeting of the Basketball Queensland initiated working party which met on Wednesday evening has confirmed support for re-establishing an NBL team in Brisbane.

Chairman of Basketball Queensland, Neil Fitzpatrick said, Basketball Queensland was heartened by the support from key business leaders who indicated considerable confidence that a team could be put on the floor if NBL licensing agreement issues can be resolved quickly.

”‘whilst we have a business and marketing plans and several budget options ready to go, we still need to clarify some issues regarding the new national licence requirements,” Mr Fitzpatrick said

“The working group examined a number of equity and sponsor options placed on the table for consideration, but said that more support from the business community would be needed within the next month or so.”

“The meeting also identified the additional promotional value of Basketball Queensland’s support for the bid because of its large membership base and its community based activities (60 000 children last year).”.

Mr Fitzpatrick said that a trust fund was being established to receive contributions from the membership and the community with the objective of supporting a team on behalf of the ‘grassroots’ of the sport.

“We already have hundreds of supporters ready to contribute but there is a great opportunity for business and the basketball community to participate in a new style team directly connected to the basketball community and for that reason, Basketball Queensland is happy to confirm its ongoing commitment to the efforts to get a Brisbane based NBL team back on the boards.”