Menu
Download the app

SBJ subscribers – Enhance your experience with the revamped iOS app

Leagues and Governing Bodies

Wellington Saints Tape Over NBL Logo On Uniform In Protest

National Basketball League side Wellington Saints "taped over the official NBL logo" on its uniform during its game against Canterbury Rames, "as a protest against the official league ruling which changed the status of Saints forward Josh Duinker from a local player to an import," according to the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. It is a move which "follows Sonny Bill Williams' decision to tape over the BNZ logo" on his Super Rugby side Blues jersey last week. Duinker, who was born in Australia and played int'l basketball for the Netherlands, played the '15 season with the Nelson Giants "as a local due to his Kiwi mother and Kiwi passport," and was initially signed by the Saints to play as a "naturalised local player." However, a ruling last week "changed his status to an import after the NBL adjudged that anyone ineligible to play for the Tall Blacks can not play as a local in the league, meaning Duinker's Netherlands appearances disqualified him from appearing as a local." Saints coach Kevin Braswell said that the team's protest "could be more than a one-off stand." He said, "We might do it the rest of the year, I don't know, it is just more of a frustration with the Josh Duinker rule. It's frustrating to have a guy here who is a natural Kiwi, not even being able to play as a Kiwi, it just blows my mind" (NZ HERALD, 4/17). STUFF's Liam Hyslop reported the NBL rules state any player who is unable to represent New Zealand must be classed as a "restricted" (import) player. Duinker played for the Netherlands in '13, "which means under FIBA rules he could not play for the Tall Blacks." Duinker's teammate Leon Henry said that taping over the logo was about showing Duinker "they were behind him no matter what." Henry said, "It's crazy because he carries a New Zealand passport, so for him to be classed as an import is really upsetting for us as a group" (STUFF, 4/17).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2017/04/18/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NBL-Wellington-Saints.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2017/04/18/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NBL-Wellington-Saints.aspx

CLOSE