Wollongong Hawks saviour Arun Jagatramka has dangled a $100,000 carrot before the team as an added incentive in the pursuit of the 2009-10 NBL championship.
The Indian mining magnate and boss of Illawarra-based company Gujarat NRE kept the Hawks alive last year when he provided the ailing club with a $1 million bank guarantee, a gesture that was said to have made as many headlines in India as it did in Wollongong.
Yesterday he stepped up again, vowing to distribute $100,000 in Gujarat NRE shares to the coaches and every member of the playing staff if the Hawks win the title.
Full coverage of the Wollongong Hawks "I know they are already playing their best for the community which has shown them tremendous support, but this is a way to demonstrate our appreciation of this dedication and hard work," Mr Jagatramka said.
The performance incentive will be offered to 11 players, three coaches and chief executive Wayne Morris if the Hawks are the last team standing in the play-offs.
Each would receive 10,000 performance rights which can be converted into fully paid equity shares in December.
Yesterday a Gujarat NRE spokesperson said although it was unknown what the share price would be in December, on present trading the offer was valued at more than $100,000.
The only NBL club in NSW, the Hawks have already defied the odds by being one of two teams to hold down a top-four spot all season.
They share third place with four games remaining and optimism remains high in the squad.
After answering the Hawks' SOS call 10 months ago, Mr Jagatramka strengthened his ties with the club by becoming its platinum sponsor halfway through the season.
Mr Morris said the unique shares offer was "fantastic", especially in light of the fact the club's playing roster was 25 per cent below the league salary cap.
"I am particularly pleased that this offer is a reward for a committed team performance rather than just individuals," he said.
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