Opinion
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Hi, Mr Colangelo and Mr Proctor. Mr Kordahi too.
You mightn't know me, unless you'd taken a keen interest in the local area into which you have just bought.
And given your first move was to drop the "Illawarra" from the Hawks' name, I'm not convinced intimate local research is your signature.
I write here weekly, and also report for this long-established local masthead.
I'm also a 30-year basketball fanatic, a qualified NSW club coach, a point-centre before that was a thing, and the dad of two fast-improving young players who dream of one day following the pathway through club, representative, youth, then maybe even Hawks basketball.
The Illawarra Hawks, that is. You can see it written on their shirts if you come to a youth session at the Snakepit one day. You'll also see, on the wall, the faces of the players, fans and supporters who made this NBL foundation club what it is, over decades.
A sporting franchise is a local treasure and part of the fabric of a region. It's not anyone's plaything, to buy, sell, or uproot if you feel like it. People have invested blood, sweat and tears in sports clubs for generations.
The NBL may own the licence but it doesn't own the identity.
Wollongong is a working class, community-minded city where unemployment is traditionally high and glamour is something that happens further up the M1. People pride themselves on taking care of their families, being decent, and not falling for BS.
We've had our fair share of "saviour" types who have lasted a year or two before high-tailing it into the sunset with unpaid debts. We are not interested in another one of these.
If you're buying the Hawks, we'd hope it's for the long term, through thick and thin. With funds for improved grassroots development, not just a view to some profit-taking. Don't be surprised if the G-League develops into the top alternative to college ball, and you'd prefer to be there. We know that's happening. Don't be surprised if the NSW Government is neglectful in upgrading - or maintaining - the entertainment centre. We know that already.
But your first move stings. A bad taste in the mouth usually comes late; this taste comes at hello.
You'd be mistaken to think "Illawarra" is a barrier to supporters. The factors are properly funded facilities and rosters, a quality game-day experience, the standard of play - and loyalty.
I support the Green Bay Packers in American Football. Not because I've ever been to Green Bay, Wisconsin, but because I like their story, and what they stand for. So do tens of thousands across the world.
Collingwood is a tiny suburb of Melbourne, but the biggest Aussie Rules club in the land. Loyal like a mad dog. The Hawthorn Hawks never dropped their name when playing games in Tasmania; the Swans never dropped Sydney when playing in Canberra. The NRL's Bulldogs reinstated their Canterbury-Bankstown roots after a brief foray with "Sydney Bulldogs".
NBL owner (yep) Larry Kestelman said he wants the Hawks to "represent all of NSW". Is it realistic to expect people to graft on their loyalty? Look no further than all the the empty seats at Greater Western Sydney Giants games.
The most successful sporting brands in Australia stay local.
The NBL should take note of this. Sorry guys but people don't watch NBL because it's the coolest, or best in the world. They have the NBA for that. No-one pretends Kevin Lisch can hold a candle to Ja Morant.
We come to the NBL for our tribe. If the NBL was smart if would reverse its bid to remove origins, and bank on local and loyal. Boosting the standard of play, which should be a constant goal, takes young people getting involved with their local clubs. I coached two junior teams last season and I can see basketball is growing fast right now, in participation and in hype, and the NBL should take advantage of it at a local level.
Drop the advertising tagline "See Incredible", which is not only boring but instantly dated. We're not the NBA. Base a new advertising campaign around the supporters - those who get painted up, dressed up, fired up. Not just the screaming freaks but the the half-time novelty competitors, the kids, the families who make up a basketball crowd perhaps more than any sport. New slogan: "Find Your Tribe".
You can have this great marketing advice for nothing. Hold on - there's a small price. Reinstate "Illawarra" to the Hawks. It's not yours to take.