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THE NBL has taken the extraordinary step of threatening fines and demanding players don’t talk about issues such as the slippery on-court sponsor stickers that they say create a serious safety issue.
The league’s slippery decals have dominated conversation all season, with several players slipping and calling for change.
The Players’ Association and the NBL are working through the issue, but there has been no solution.
The league receives a significant financial boost from on-court sponsorship, but the stickers are compromising player safety.
Brazilian Sydney Kings star Didi Louzada recently expressed frustration via social media, and was backed by New Zealand star Corey Webster.
“This league is kidding me
— they don’t care about the players ... that’s my thoughts,” Louzada tweeted.
“I’m tired of being silent.” The players’ passionate stance on player safety has prompted the NBL to muzzle its players. Club officials have confirmed they had received correspondence from the NBL asking them not to publicly address issues that bring the game into disrepute, such as officiating and the decal issue, and that fines could be enforced if they do so.
Australian basketball great, and former Sydney Kings big man, Andrew Bogut also confirmed the players had been muzzled by the league.
“The NBL has addressed the decal issue by informing clubs all players and club officials will be FINED if they make any more comments about falling on decals,” he tweeted.
“NBL funded media have also been told not to discuss the issue. If we don’t talk about it, it didn’t happen.”
The NBL provided a statement on the league’s stance on player comment while reinforcing it is trying to fix the slippery decal issue.
“Under the NBL’s rules, any owner, staff member, player or official can be sanctioned for any public comments that bring the league into disrepute,” the statement read.
THE Gold Coast Suns have made three changes to their side for the AFLW Round 6 fixture against the Adelaide Crows on Saturday.
The young Suns will come up against one of the best sides since the AFLW’s inception but will be boosted by the inclusion of experienced campaigners Leah Kaslar and Sam Virgo.
Kaslar was a late withdrawal from the Round 5 game against the Eagles with an ankle injury she picked up at training but returns and will be looking to make an impact after being named on the interchange bench.
Virgo, the team captain, returns after missing the past two games.
Academy product Tori Groves-Little will make her first appearance for the Suns in 2021 as she lines up at full-forward.
The Gold Coast match committee has taken a cautious approach with Georgia Bevan and Madison Levi who were both listed as “tests” in this week’s Qscan Injury Update.
Sarah Perkins will miss the rest of the AFLW season because of an MCL injury in her right knee.
The Suns will look to continue their improved performances of recent weeks in the game against the Crows, to be played at Norwood Oval in Adelaide.