NBL Season To Tip Off Early 2021

The NBL has announced the 2020-21 Hungry Jack’s NBL Season will start in early 2021.

Hungry Jack’s NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman said: “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.

“The main reason for pushing the start of the season back to the new year is to give the clubs the best opportunity to play in front of as many fans as possible.

“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.

“We intend to play a full season and, if needed, we will play in one or more hubs to achieve this. We are currently having positive discussions with a number of interested States about potential locations.

“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.

“Delaying the start of the season until the new year gives us the best opportunity to do that as well as the necessary time and flexibility to plan accordingly.”

Melbourne United’s CEO Vince Crivelli supported the decision made by the NBL Return to Competition Taskforce.

“The decision to push the season back is a really sensible one. All efforts are being made so that clubs can play in front of their fans and that’s something that we as a club really support and appreciate.” Crivelli said.

“There has to be a focus on health and safety for all players, coaches, staff and fans, but the priority remains - as many fans as possible at games. The more time that we have in order to navigate that challenge as a business, the better.”

“At the end of the day, we just want to complete on our home floor in front of our own fans, and we are really looking forward to getting that opportunity in 2021.”

The NBL will continue to provide regular updates over the coming weeks and months including an announcement about an exact start date and schedule of games as we get closer to the season.