The state of basketball in Sydney is a complete shambles after Spirit owner Greg Evans placed the franchise into administration, possibly leaving Wollongong the only remaining team in NSW, a state of almost seven million people.

But with moves to relaunch the NBL under an A-League soccer-style format, Clifford concedes there will be intense pressure to rebuild Sydney's glamour club, the Kings.

Fox Sports has placed a $35 million offer on the table to cover every game of a new-look NBL competition next year, but it is understood the pay television network wants a presence in Sydney.

If the competition is reduced to just eight teams next season, Clifford said the resurrection of the Kings could leave no room for the Hawks.

"That is my worst fear," Clifford said.

"I don't think the Spirit were given enough opportunity to succeed - they were undermined and that was partly because of some support for the resurrection of the Kings brand.

"It seems under the surface, bubbling away, that the NBL would much prefer to have a Sydney team, most likely a resurrected Kings."

While the NBL suffered another major body blow, Hawks stars Glen Saville and Larry Davidson were busily promoting the game at Wollongong's Smith's Hill High School yesterday as part of an Arrive Alive road safety seminar for students.

The Hawks have been one of the great success stories for the NBL in turbulent recent times during which the Kings, Brisbane Bullets and Singapore Slingers all collapsed.

Wollongong were saved from a similar fate last year, as former Kings owner and Firepower boss Tim Johnston failed to make player payments, prompting the spectacular downfall of the Sydney club.

Now the Spirit, the team rebadged in a failed bid to heal the rift between Kings and West Sydney Razorbacks supporters, are likely to be axed from the NBL within days.