Wollongong Hawks captain Mat Campbell has made a final heartfelt plea for a saviour to step forward and keep the club alive.
Campbell has been the central figure in the Save the Hawks campaign since its launch a month ago.
Although the Hawks have raised $420,000 in foundation membership pledges, they remain in desperate need of a $1 million bank guarantee to be assured of a spot in the NewNBL.
Campbell has written an open letter which has been published in full on the Mercury's website.
He said the club was desperate for help in its battle for survival.
"The board of Basketball Australia is meeting next Monday to decide on the successful licence applicants and therefore which clubs will participate in the NewNBL," Campbell wrote.
"This means that potential guarantors must be forthcoming by (tomorrow) to ensure the licence application is successful."
Aside from the million-dollar guarantee, Campbell insisted the Hawks met virtually every major requirement in the criteria.
"Whilst stating that our submission does meet the majority of the (NewNBL's) criteria, they have stood firm on the $1 million bank guarantee requirement," he wrote.
"The NBL has made it quite clear that if the $1 million bank guarantee requirement is met, the Hawks will be part of the NewNBL next season. Should this requirement not be met, then it is most unlikely that a licence to compete next season will be granted.
"This guarantee ensures that if financial stability is compromised, the NBL can continue making payments so that the team plays out the season.
"We call upon the (region's) city councils, the State Government, Illawarra-based companies and major individual stakeholders in the Illawarra to consider supporting the Wollongong Hawks with a guarantee over the next three years."
If the Hawks did secure a guarantor at the last minute, Campbell claimed, up to $5 million would remain in the Illawarra economy.
"This includes over 14 nights venue hire of the NSW Government-owned WIN Entertainment Centre and flow on of food and beverage sales to CBD cafes and restaurants on game days," he said.
"A good proportion of game attendees dine out either prior to or after each game and visiting teams usually stay two nights, creating benefits to local hotels, restaurants and hire companies. You will save 120 jobs directly and indirectly affected by the existence of the Hawks.
"The Hawks are the last remaining team solely based in the Illawarra (and) by saving the Hawks you will assist in keeping the region in the national sporting and cultural spotlight.
"In comparison to the support of other major events in the region and NSW, the request by the new not-for-profit (Hawks) organisation is relatively insignificant, compared to the huge economic and social benefits the Hawks bring to the region.
"This is a great opportunity for somebody to stand up and say 'if it wasn't for me or my company, there'd be no Hawks'.
"We're talking about one person or one company or one government body coming forward and being that saviour. I can't emphasise enough that we're referring to a guarantee only. There are no up-front fees and that means a zero outlaying of dollars.
"For more information as to how you can help provide this guarantee and also how the guarantee operates, please send an email with your contact details to info@savethehawks.com (because) this is our last call for the community of the Illawarra to rally behind the Hawks.
"A saviour is needed and we urge all of those parties that are financially able and have a strong financial and community interest invested into the Illawarra to get behind the Hawks' community-based not-for-profit organisation."
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