The National Basketball League will not enter a new Brisbane team until there is a stadium that can "suitably house it," according to Roy Ward of THE AGE. The league rated the city as its "number one expansion target," but only if it has the right stadium option. NBL Chair Graeme Wade revealed on Tuesday that talks to field the team had stalled due to there not being a stadium that could make for a viable franchise. Former NBL CEO Fraser Neill promised last October that the league would "field a Brisbane team under a plan to use a smaller venue." But midway through last season other league figures "nixed that plan, wanting the Brisbane team to be based in a bigger stadium, which has led to the current impasse." Wade said that the league was "able to meet every other criteria for immediately entering a team." He added that the city still "lacked" a central business district venue "suitable for an NBL team to play in." Wade said that the 5,500-seat center "appeared to be the best choice but only if it was fully enclosed," because NBL games have to be played in an indoor venue. Wade: "The fact of the matter is there isn't one suitable." Wade said that the NBL "wanted a Brisbane team, but one which could survive for the long term" (THE AGE, 4/29).
