Panthers booted from league

Otago Daily Times

03-05-2025

The Indian Panthers have been cast out for alleged contractual breaches.
The National Basketball League announced yesterday it was suspending the team from the league, effectively immediately.
League commissioner Tracey Garland said they were still investigating the circumstances leading up to the Panthers players making the decision not to play against the Canterbury Rams in Auckland on Tuesday night.
But they were compelled to act now because of the gravity of the allegations.
"It is very disappointing for the commission to be facing this situation, especially given that, following careful due diligence, the original concept was sustainable and so exciting for the league, the game and the fans, both here and in India," Garland said.
"However, we have had to face the reality that things have not panned out as any party intended.
"The Panthers are fully aware of the conditions they must meet for any consideration given as to their future participation, and these will remain confidential while both parties work through this."
Allegations the Panthers have not been meeting their financial obligations have been doing the rounds for weeks. Former Panthers star player Alex Robinson jun posted on social media this week he had not been paid.
"We have been advised by the Panthers today that all players have been paid ...and that staff and other creditors will be paid by May 15," Garland said.
"We hope all of these payments will be made as communicated to us."
The Panthers' entry into the NBL has been a public relations nightmare.
The concept raised a lot of eyebrows when their inclusion was announced in October, and
the Panthers ran into immediate problems.
They had to play their opening game in the league without any of their Indian players. They blamed the delays on getting players to New Zealand on visa issues and national duties.
But a good chunk of the Indian players they signed still have not arrived.
Head coach Miles Pearce resigned ahead of their opening home game. They moved away from their base at Pulman Arena because they could not afford to hire the venue.
They have the leakiest defence and most anaemic attack in the league and have lost all nine games they have played.
Their next scheduled game was against the Southland Sharks in Invercargill on May 14. Two days later they were scheduled to play the Otago Nuggets in Dunedin.