Editorial
If the Tory Lavalle-LaMelo Ball bid for the ownership of the Illawarra Hawks was in jeopardy it would raise serious concerns about the future of the league's foundation club and our region's national representative sporting side.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It was believed the Lavalle-Ball bid was in the box seat to take ownership of the stricken franchise, but the Mercury understands the group is set to walk away from the table after a disagreement with the NBL over conditions surrounding the club license. On Sunday, the Illawarra Mercury exclusively revealed the depths of financial debt engulfing the Simon Stratford era of the club with players and staff set to lose up to $750,000 in entitlements after Stratford put the club into voluntary administration.
The NBL, which has taken back control of the Hawks' license, then responded reaffirming it would cover the players' entitlements saying "all payments will be met in full". It seems likely the Stratford ownership is headed for liquidation in which case the intellectual property would then be transferred to the new entity and the NBL's choice of new owner.
It appeared likely that would be Lavalle and Ball, which would give the NBL a connection with both a locally respected and proven businessman in Tory Lavalle and continue their relationship with a star NBA draft prospect in Ball.
While Ball would carry a lot of status in the bid, in reality Lavalle would provide the local knowledge and financial backing. Ball's end of the bargain would be managed by his high school coach, mentor and now manager Jermaine Jackson who was by Ball's side for his entire stay in the Illawarra last season.
It is believed the NBL has had other interest from interstate and internationally, but interest from WA-based prospects is rumoured to have waned. Lavalle's ownership would give the club the local input this community has been craving and calling for and would reconnect many local businesses to the club who have been disenfranchised in recent seasons.
For now though, the NBL will essentially remain the owner of the Hawks, but let's hope they don't drop the Ball on this one.