Jingle balls in first for the NBL
SYDNEY Kings will host the NBL’s first Christmas Day game against Melbourne United, with the historic fixture being hailed a “game changer” for Australian sport.
The defending champion Kings have locked in a 7.30pm timeslot to take on United in a Christmas Day blockbuster at Qudos Bank Arena.
The innovative idea to play Australian sport’s first match on December 25 was pushed by Sydney co-owner and NBA champion Andrew Bogut.
The retired Boomers great wanted the Kings, and the NBL, to emulate the NBA’s long-running Christmas Day game tradition.
The world’s best basketball league has been playing on the traditional religious holiday since 1947, with at least three games scheduled, excluding the 1998-99 season due to a six-month lockout.
Bogut understood that playing on Christmas Day was foreign to Australian sport, but he could see the potential for the NBL to mirror the NBA’s success, especially from a television perspective.
The Big Bash League floated the idea of playing T20 cricket on Christmas Day in 2019, but the governing body opted against the concept following consultation with players, clubs, and broadcasters.
The BBL had scheduled two matches on Christmas Eve in 2018, but the attendance fell “short of expectations”, according to Cricket Australia.
Just 10,508 people attended the Sydney derby on December 24, 2018.
Playing sport on Christmas Day in Australia may attract its critics, but Kings co-owner and chairman Paul Smith is confident the concept can be successful for his club and basketball.
“It’s the last scheduling frontier in sport in Australia,” Smith said.
“We are a changing society. Christmas isn’t a holy event for all of us, and it can be a lonely day for a lot of people. So, to be able to come out a world venue for a world-class game of hoops, or just watching the Sydney Kings at home on television, it’s a game changer.”
Smith praised Bogut for pushing the Christmas Day concept.
“For a long time, Andrew and I have been thinking through the potential of a Christmas Day game,” he said.
“We have to stand out in Sydney, so being the first team in any sport to host on this day helps us do that.”
The Kings are also planning to involve a partner on the day to give the game a charitable focus.
The NBL has welcomed the sport’s first Christmas Day fixture, with Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger expecting the event to be a resounding success.
“We are thrilled to be bringing such a massive encounter to Christmas Day, particularly given we will be the first professional sport in this country to do so,” Loeliger said.
“Sports fans across Australia and New Zealand have been asking for live sport on Christmas and we are excited to bring them world-class basketball and entertainment on what is a very special day for so many.”
The Kings’ Christmas Day clash against United will be broadcast live on 10 Peach, ESPN and Kayo.
The full 2022-23 NBL season schedule will be released on Monday.