A Wellington-based lower North Island team "is one step closer to joining the New Zealand Breakers" in the Australian National Basketball League next season, according to Liam Hyslop of STUFF. Businessman Bill Wallace "speaks with confidence about the bid" for a second New Zealand team in the ANBL. Wallace and his establishment board "have secured interest from investors to fund a lower North Island franchise to begin play" at the start '16-17 season. Wallace said, "What we've managed to achieve is a significant level of investment, we've got some funders and that's been the key focus for us, we're determined to make sure our structure is right and we have sufficient capital. But now we've got a lot of work to do in a short space of time. We're still aiming for next season but a lot of things have got to work for us over the next three or four months." The bid "is still likely to go down the co-operative ownership path, where the public can buy small shares in the franchise." The team "would mix its home matches between Wellington, Porirua and Palmerston North." The ANBL "is keen to expand the league next season by at least two teams, with the Brisbane Bullets already locked in" (STUFF, 11/12).
