NBL Welcomes 36ers Ownership Change

National Basketball League (NBL) Commissioner Rick Burton has welcomed the news that the South Australian State Government has identified a consortium led by League Chairman Mal Hemmerling as the preferred bidder for the Adelaide 36ers license.

Burton said the news was a great outcome for the Philips Championship and South Australian basketball and would ensure that the 36ers would remain in Adelaide.

“Mal Hemmerling is not only a tireless servant of the sport of basketball, but also a prominent and respected member of the South Australian community,” said Burton. “There really is no one better to help re-invigorate the 36ers as an organisation and we welcome the news that Mal’s group has been identified as the preferred bidder for the license.”

“From a League perspective, our goal from the sale of the 36ers license has always been to maintain the team in Adelaide and to give the new owners the best possible opportunity to turn what is one of our most successful clubs into a profitable business. We believe that this move can help us achieve those goals.”

Burton said the Chairman’s group had been tabbed as the preferred bidder for the team license after a thorough and independent analysis of the expressions of interest by Interim Controller Bruce Carter and that the SA State Government had endorsed the choice.

“Both Bruce Carter and the South Australian State Government undertook all due diligence to confirm that Mal’s bid was financially sound and legitimate,” Burton added. “We’re confident that the best bidder has been identified and I don’t believe the NBL Board will have any concerns about approving the license transfer at is next meeting.”

“Mal has at all times acted in an altruistic manner throughout this entire process and is to be commended for putting his hand up to take on the responsibility of turning the 36ers around. He has made it absolutely clear that he will follow the will of the Board in regards to whether or not he will stay on as Chairman once a successful transfer of the license has been completed.”

Burton also endorsed the decision to appoint current Brisbane Bullets owner Eddy Groves as the preferred bidder for the 36ers venue, the Distinctive Homes Dome, and said it would pay long-term dividends for the Philips Championship.

“Eddy Groves has already established himself as an owner who is committed to the welfare of not just his own team but also of the League as a whole. He understands that a strong league is a must for his investment to flourish in the long-term and his willingness to purchase the home of the 36ers is a tangible and continuing vote of confidence in the Philips Championship as a whole.”

The NBL’s next Board meeting will be held in Coffs Harbour on 8 September immediately prior to the 2006 Philips Championship Pre-Season Blitz tournament.

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