The Wollongong Hawks are poised to deliver the news that players and fans have been dreading.
The club has decided against applying for a place in next season's national basketball competition.
While Hawks chairman Richard Clifford would not comment on the club's dire situation yesterday, there were no more ifs, buts or maybes for the league's last original team.
If the Hawks don't submit an application to play in the revamped national competition by February 27, they won't be considered for inclusion.
Last week, Clifford said the Hawks had little hope of meeting the financial requirements of the criteria released by the league on January 23.
That bleak scenario hasn't changed and the Hawks are now officially doomed.
The club's board and ownership group met last night to discuss the developments and will release a statement today.
It is believed the Sydney Kings and Sydney Spirit also have little chance of being viable for the 2009-10 season, leaving the new competition without a NSW-based franchise.
The season tips off in October and runs for 18 weeks, with the renamed NewNBL board confident of having at least eight teams in the competition.
The Hawks have two home games remaining before hitting the road on Saturday week for the final match of their 30-year existence.
The club is hoping the Wollongong community comes out in force for Friday's clash with New Zealand and next Friday's last hurrah against Adelaide. Hawks general manager Neil Mettam said fans would be able to buy two tickets for $20.
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