In a move only the crazy or the courageous can pull off, the Singapore Slingers today announced their departure from Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) after two seasons. Their decision was made after two more teams the Sydney Kings and Brisbane Bullets pulled out from the league leaving the already battered NBL at the brink of collapse.
Setting their eyes instead on the 600-million strong Asian market instead of Australia’s 21 million (according to Wikipedia), the ambitious Singapore Slingers is calling for challengers around Asia to meet them at home in the Slingers Challenge Series 2008/09. In addition, they too are calling for powerhouses hailing from countries as far as the Middle East and Europe. Dangling a $10,000 prize money to the team that beats them at home, the Slingers are certain that they will keep the game competitive…oh yes there will be blood.
Moving forward, the Singapore Slingers are set to form their own Asian Pro League similar of that of the NBL targeted to begin in April next year. With the best of the teams from around the Asian region, they will all fight for bragging rights to be called the best in Asia. With the Slingers all set to be history makers with the new league, I am crossing my fingers in hopes that their attempt will give us an experience ever so rewarding and memorable. Until then Slingers, I got your back.
Read more in their press release here.
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i was really looking forward to a stronger showing by slingers in the new NBL season.
i must admit i was more than just a bit disappointed whn i read the newsletter. i’m not sure how i’m going to take this whole moving to a different league thing. maybe it’s my expectations, but yeah, definitely feel uncomfortable abt it right now. and sad.
does this mean we’re not going to be able to watch any games this coming season? is the team going to be able to join a new league THAT soon?
not really sure how this whole thing works…
So have you been to a Slingers game? I applaud this decision…great news for local hoops fans!
Daphne: Yeah they are holding a small cup this year and concurrently concentrating on an Asian league. Honestly I am not too sure how it will turn out but comparing to a dying NBL, I think it is a good move. Heck even last season’s finalist Sydney Kings pulled out which does say something about the league yeah?
I guess I can understand why you are disappointed. Until then, only time will tell of its success..
Singapore red light: Oh yes I have..plenty of times..and will attend again this coming season